Folklore
The national knack for storytelling helps Icelanders explain their strange and beautiful landscapes to outsiders—lava rocks, the shifting mist and the midnight sun all inspire a deep and wonderful folklore. Iceland's huldufólk are the “hidden people” who live among the odd-shaped stones and demand reverence towards nature, while the much more wicked trolls turn into stone under Iceland's bright sunlight. Elves, spirits, and magical spells all play a role in tales from the past.
Few may realize that Iceland's rich folklore inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's “Lord of the Rings” and that the famous author was an avid student of Old Icelandic legend. Exploring Iceland today unveils the same sort of enchanted places described in “Middle Earth”. Icelanders no longer battle dragons or trolls, but the belief still remains—how man must live with nature and that in the end, good overcomes evil.
Did you know?
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Iceland boasts four guardian spirits—a dragon, an eagle, a bull, and a giant—depicted on the national coat of arms.
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Iceland's flag is a red and white Nordic cross on a blue background, symbolizing fire, snow, and the clear sky.
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The national anthem is ÓGud Vors Lands or “God of our Land”.
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The national flower is the glacier poppy, or jöklasóley.
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The national bird is the gyrfalcon.
