Television streaming services now offer several series involving the folklore of changelings. After recently finishing the first season of the Icelandic drama-mystery Katla, I investigated.
Huldufólk and Changelings: Iceland’s Hidden People and Their Mystical Influence
Iceland is a land of fire and ice, where volcanoes erupt beside glaciers and rugged lava fields dot the landscape. But beneath this stark beauty, many Icelanders believe in something even more mysterious: the Huldufólk, or Hidden People. Icelandic folklore deeply ingrains these supernatural beings, often linked to elves or fairies, and closely ties them to tales of changelings—children the Hidden People stole and replaced.
Who Are the Huldufólk?
Legend says Huldufólk, which translates to “Hidden People,” is a race of invisible beings inhabiting the Icelandic rocks, hills, and mountains. According to legend, they look much like humans but remain hidden from view unless they choose to reveal themselves.
Many Icelanders hold a deep respect for these beings, and stories abound of construction projects being altered or delayed to avoid disturbing their homes. Engineers rerouted roads to avoid damaging stones believed to house the Huldufólk.
One popular origin story connects them to biblical mythology. The story goes that when God visited Eve; she hadn’t finished washing all her children. Embarrassed, she hid the unwashed ones. When God asked if all her children were present, she lied, and God made the hidden children invisible; they became the Huldufólk. This tale reinforces the idea that these beings live alongside humans, unseen but always present.
Huldufólk in Icelandic Culture
Even in modern Iceland, belief in the Huldufólk persists. Surveys have shown that a significant percentage of Icelanders either believe in or refuse to deny the existence of these supernatural beings. The respect for the Hidden People extends to daily life. Many stories tell of farmers leaving offerings of food or milk for them; and of construction crews experiencing mysterious accidents after disturbing their supposed dwellings.
Icelandic Christmas traditions also include references to the Hidden People. On New Year’s Eve, it is said that the Huldufólk emerge from their hiding places and move to new homes. People light candles to guide them, ensuring that they remain in harmony with the human world.
Changelings: The Huldufólk’s Mischievous Acts
One of the more unsettling aspects of Icelandic folklore involves changelings. Many cultures depict changelings as fairy or troll children replacing a stolen human child, but Iceland often links them to the Huldufólk.
The most famous Icelandic changeling story is “The Changeling of Hekla.” Mount Hekla, a frequently erupting volcano, has long been thought to be a gateway to the underworld. In this tale, a mother living near the volcano noticed her baby acted strangely—crying incessantly, refusing to eat, and growing more unnatural in appearance. Villagers suspected the Huldufólk had swapped the baby.
An old woman advised the mother to test the child by boiling water in eggshells—a known trick in Icelandic folklore to expose changelings. When the baby saw this, it laughed and exclaimed,
“I have seen the lava flow from Hekla,
I have seen the earth swallow men whole,
Yet never have I seen eggshells used as pots!”
With its identity revealed, the mother took the changeling to the mountain and left it there. Soon after, she returned home to find her real baby peacefully asleep in the cradle—the Hidden People had returned him.
The Enduring Influence of Icelandic Folklore
Despite Iceland’s modern advancements, belief in the supernatural remains a cultural cornerstone. Tourists visit elf gardens, and stories of the Huldufólk continue to be passed down through generations. The idea of the Hidden People serves as a reminder of Iceland’s deep connection to nature and the unseen forces that may inhabit it.
Whether the Huldufólk and changelings truly exist, their presence in Icelandic folklore enriches the country’s cultural identity, blending the mystical with the natural world. So, if you ever visit Iceland, tread carefully—you never know who might be watching from the rocks.
Flash Fiction
The Changeling’s Return
The storm howled against the farmhouse, rattling the wooden beams. Arna sat by the fire, cradling her newborn, her heart heavy with unease. Something was wrong. The baby had stopped crying.
For weeks, it had screamed—a shrill, inhuman wail. It never slept, never fed properly, and its skin had turned waxy, its eyes too knowing for an infant. The midwife had whispered of the Huldufólk, warning Arna to watch closely.
She reached for a knife, her hands shaking. The trick, they said, was to expose it. She boiled water in eggshells over the fire. Moments later, a dry, raspy chuckle rose from the cradle.
“Boiling in shells! Such foolish human ways! Centuries I have seen, yet never this!”
Arna’s stomach twisted. This was no child of hers.
The thing in the cradle sat upright, its limbs too long, its fingers twitching like a spider’s legs. It grinned, revealing sharp, yellow teeth.
The door burst open, a gust of wind and snow swirling inside. A shadow loomed in the doorway. Arna clutched the knife, but her voice caught in her throat.
A woman stood there—pale, wild-haired, with hollow eyes. In her arms, swaddled tightly, was a baby. Arna’s baby.
The changeling hissed. It leaped from the cradle, scrambling toward the fire, but the woman merely raised her hand. The creature stopped, let out an unearthly wail, then vanished.
Without a word, the woman stepped forward, placing the actual child in Arna’s arms. Then she turned and walked into the night, fading into the storm.
Arna held her baby close, her breath shallow.
Outside, the wind whispered in voices not meant for human ears.
Looking for more chilling stories? Or more info on fairies? Check out:
- Folk Horror and the Tale of the Straw Eyes - April 17, 2025
- Icelandic Changelings - March 21, 2025
- Extremophiles: Creatures With Super Powers. - March 9, 2025
