The Icelandic Christmas Cat (Jólakötturinn - The Yule Cat)

[@Grey_Warden_Invasion]

That cat sounds less like a monster and more like a personification of death. If you don't have clothes in winter you will freeze to death. And then that cat is there to collect you.

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

I think of him as the personification of Northern Winter, but otherwise that is correct Make sure your family can stay warm in the frozen season or the devouring cold will come to claim those you love.

[@Lunar994]

​@@moralityisnotsubjective5 Then scratch up your furniture

[@cartergomez5390]

Genius!!

[@jessicajayes8326]

Thank you for the lyrics, both in English and Icelandic.

[@antichu7236]

My zombie apocalypse team brawler: Jolakötturin (the Yule cat)

[@cherylspersontillman2351]

Amazing and beautiful. I just discovered this wonderful creature!

[@garealtours]

Thanks for making and sharing the video!

[@ArnarPalssonDenmark]

Be welcome :))

[@davehall4343]

I didn't know there was more than Krampus! Thank you and Happy Yule!

[@DembaiVT]

I love Yulecat even more than Krampus. Krampus is too darn Christianized, and loses a lot of meaning (because his naughty vs nice is also arbitrary). the Yulecat is a representation of the bitter cold of winter, and he's not evil in the sense of morality, he is a warning that everyone MUST be cared for. The Krampus doesn't tell you how to live better. The Yulecat does...even if it means he goes without a meal.

[@parisstudios3]

Dave Hall guess what I am saying on Icelandic já ég vissi ekki heldur þeta ár fán ég út ........ yeah me to this year I. Found out

[@ZeldaBaby999]

I find it a disturbing story/legend, but it's moral is good. If you know of poor people who can't afford new clothes, especially children, make sure you give them something warm for Christmas, so you can have a good winter, and good New Year. That part is reminiscent of Good King Wenceslas who took pity on the poor peasant who was shivering and hungry. I see it also as a warning that, just as Scrooge was an evil hoarder, who refused to share the wealth, those who refuse to help the poor, have blood on their hands!

[@christopherlawley1842]

Oo. Without much persuasion the English words can be sung to the tune.

[@Zzsmuf]

Merry Catmas🐈

[@lordandladyg]

Thank you so much for the explanation and English translation. I love this song. Could I please ask about the verse with the English translation: "Some had gotten an apron, and some had gotten shoes, or something that they need - that was all it took"? I just want to know about the line "that was all it took". I assume from the story that this means that the cat left people alone that had gotten these things. Is that correct? I just wanted to make make sure that it doesn't mean that the cat took only the apron and shoes. Thank you so much for the translation. It makes the song so much more enjoyable.

[@ArnarPalssonDenmark]

Dear lordandladyg. That's correct conclusion. The Christmas Cat left these families, when the Cat saw they had a new clothing for Christmas. The message from this old Icelandic story are, that everybody should have joy over the Christmas time, even they are poor or rich and encourage everyone for peace and joy despite the circumstances of each individual. Merry Christmas.

[@lordandladyg]

Thank you so much. It's such a great song for Christmas. Thank you for helping us English speaking people understand it. Warm wishes for Christmas.

[@thebirbboiman1508]

The cat when your grads aren’t high so your mom gives nothing THAT SIN CANNOT BE FORGIVIN

[@LordOmnissiah]

Seems like this cat was invented to keep kids from complaining about the ugly scratchy sweater their grandma would knit for them during the winter.

[@chupacabramania]

wow interessante!

[@Ragnarr1955]

There is another song about the Icelandic Christmas Cat, but I can't find it. It is much more light hearted. Can anyone help me find it?

[@Zzsmuf]

Merry Christmas from a Cat person.

[@TheNorma]

Glethilegt jol Arnar!

[@greenspiraldragon]

Meow

[@J3ff333]

Never knew that A fucking cat can kidnap me what the fuck

[@jameskunisch5747]

Trump will soon replace the cat with his orange tabby.. I'd rather face Jolakotturin then his beast.

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

Why do people like you always bring politics into it? Is that your whole life or something?

[@Grey_Warden_Invasion]

Trump's cat is dead. He already wears it on his head.

[@ejay11000]

A giant cat that eats poor children who cant afford new clothes and basically leaves rich children alone...okay

[@crysvicious]

My cat thinks she is the jol katt She attacked the nisser on my Yule tree. She then attacked the tree itself and knocked it into the floor. Won't leave the ornaments alone . Tonight I heard faint roaring and gurgling growly noises coming from the den. Wtf is that? My cat comes around the corner , dragging the elf on the shelf into the kitchen floor and dropped it at my feet 😂 she.dragged. my .elf. Off. Of. The. Shelf. She doesn't eat children though 😂 lmfao.

[@kathleenmoulds9522]

CREEPY