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The Yule Lads, or Yulemen, ((アイスランド語:jólasveinarnir'' or ''jólasveinar)) are figures from Icelandic folklore who in modern times have become the Icelandic version of Santa Claus. Their number has varied throughout the ages, but currently they are considered to be thirteen.〔(Celebrating Christmas with 13 trolls ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 They put rewards or punishments into shoes placed by children in window sills during the last thirteen nights before Christmas Eve. Every night, one Yuletide lad visits each child, leaving gifts or rotting potatoes,〔(Bad Santas ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 depending on the child’s behavior throughout the year. ==History and Origins== The Yule Lads originate from Icelandic folklore.〔(Eve Online Introduces the “Yule Lads” ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 Early on their number and depictions varied greatly depending on location, with each individual Lad ranging from mere pranksters 〔(The Yule Lads ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 to homicidal monsters who eat children.〔(Forgotten Yule Lads and Lasses ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 In 1932 the poem "Jólasveinarnir" was published as a part of the popular poetry book "Jólin Koma" ("Christmas Arrives") by Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum. The poem reintroduced Icelandic society to Icelandic Yuletide folklore and established what is now considered the canonical thirteen Yule Lads, their personalities and connection to other folkloric characters. 〔(Best places to spend Christmas ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 The Yule Lads were originally portrayed as being mischievous, or even criminal, pranksters who would steal from, or in other way harass the population (at the time mostly rural farmers).〔(The Yule Lads: Friends or Foes? ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 They all had descriptive names that conveyed their modus operandi. The Yule Lads are traditionally said to be the sons of the mountain-dwelling trolls ''Grýla'' and ''Leppalúði''. They would trek from the mountains to scare 〔(Bogeymen: Five scary visitors in the night by BBC ) Retrieved 1 June 2013〕 Icelandic children who misbehaved before Christmas. Additionally, the Yule Lads are often depicted with the Yule Cat, a beast that, according to folklore, eats children who don't receive new clothes for Christmas. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Yule Lads」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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