The Huldufólk are Icelandic elves or hidden beings, deeply rooted in folklore. They are said to live in rocks, hills, and even beneath the sea, existing in a parallel world alongside humans.
They possess physical bodies and rational spirits, marry, have children, own cattle and other property, experience poverty and wealth, and feel human emotions such as joy and sorrow. Their lifespan is determined by divine will. Their political system is said to resemble that of medieval Icelanders: each tribe is governed by two viceroys, who serve for two years before traveling to Norway with some of their subjects to report to their ruler. If the viceroys have ruled unjustly, their subjects may testify against them, and replacements are appointed.
Huldufólk are known to take newborn infants, especially if they are left unbaptized, replacing them with umskiptingur (changelings). This belief led to various protective customs, such as placing a steel knife in the cradle or marking the child with a cross.
Umskiptingur er vera í íslenskum þjóðsögum. Hann kemur þannig til, að álfar nema á brott mennskt smábarn sem er skilið eftir eftirlitslaust en skilja í staðinn eftir gamlan álfakarl sem þeir bregða í líki mennsks barns, og nefnist þá umskiptingur.
[“Umskiptingur, or transfiguration, is a phenomenon in Icelandic folklore. It occurs when elves take away a human child who is left unattended and instead leave behind an old elf-man who they disguise as a human child, and this is called transfiguration.”]
They rarely see the sun in their dwellings, so they sometimes appear when the sun is bright. On New Year’s Eve, it is said that they move to new homes, and during this time, humans may encounter them on the roads. Those brave enough to confront them might recieve prophecies about the future. However, most people seek their favor by leaving out food and keeping their doors open on that night.
Witness Accounts and Legends
There are many accounts of encounters with the Huldufólk. One well-known story tells of a road construction project in Iceland that was halted because a large rock, believed to be the dwelling of hidden folk, could not be moved. Machinery failed, and workers experienced strange accidents until a local medium negotiated with the Huldufólk, asking for their permission. Only then did the project continue without issue.
Another tale speaks of a woman who saw a hidden person while walking alone. He asked her to help his wife in childbirth, and when she did, she was rewarded with the ability to see the hidden folk ever after – a gift and a burden.
Belief in the Huldufólk persists in Iceland today. Construction projects are still sometimes altered to avoid disturbing their supposed dwellings, and some Icelanders leave offerings for them, especially on significant nights like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.