In Icelandic folklore, the Huldufólk (hidden inhabitants) are like elves. It is also said that these creatures are very human-like and live in small houses on the rocks. There are many stories of encounters with hidden inhabitants.
Tales of the origins of the hidden inhabitants
There are at least two stories that explain the existence of the hidden inhabitants, they are associated with Christianity. In the first, the origin of the hidden inhabitants can be traced back to the period before the fall of man. The action takes place in the garden of Eden, when God once came to visit Adam and Eve and demanded a meeting with their children.
At that time, Eve was bathing them and had not yet finished doing it. She was embarrassed to show God the dirty children, so she hid them and showed only the clean ones. God asked Eve if she had children whom he had not yet seen, to which Eve replied "no." God, being omniscient, knew what was happening and announced that those who were hidden from him would also be hidden from people. As a result, dirty children became the first hidden residents.
Garden of Eden
Photo: Public Domain
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The second story tells of a traveler who got lost at night and stumbled upon a farm. He knocked on the door, an elderly woman opened for him and invited him to come in. The woman fed the traveler and introduced him to her daughters.
Then a bed was made for him and he asked if one of the daughters could keep him company. The hostess agreed to the request. The traveler tried to hug the young girl, but his arms went through her.
Then the traveler asked what was the matter, and he was told the story of the hidden inhabitants who, during the Lucifer rebellion in heaven, did not resist the devil and his fallen angels. For this, the hidden inhabitants were cast down to Earth and had to live in rocks and mountains.
A man jumping into the abyss after a woman elf. Engraving to the Icelandic Legend of Hildur, Queen of the Elves
Photo: Public Domain
For many in Iceland, the hidden inhabitants are not just fabulous images of colorful mythology. People believe in the existence of these supernatural beings. Some claim to be able to see and communicate with the hidden inhabitants.
In addition, there are even tours in Iceland that take visitors to places where hidden residents are said to live. Habnarfjordur in particular is considered the capital of the Elves in Iceland.
Hidden habitat destruction
In addition, it is believed that alteration of the landscape by humans can have a potentially negative effect on the lives of hidden residents, and that construction projects should be stopped if they can interfere with them.
One of them is the highway that connects the Alfthanez Peninsula with Gardabair, a suburb of Reykjavik. According to those who opposed the project, the highway would cut the abode of hidden residents. If construction continued, the “elven church”, a jagged rock approximately 3.7 m high, would inevitably be destroyed.
Alfhol in Kopavogur. Since elves are believed to live here, the road narrows
Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 DE
The controversial issue was helped by a woman who claimed that she could communicate with hidden residents. She mediated between the hidden residents and the highway builders, and a solution was found.
The hidden inhabitants seem to have agreed with the continued construction as the elven church has been carefully moved to another location. In this case, people and hidden residents were able to agree. However, there are stories of hidden residents taking revenge for the destruction of their homes, causing new car breakdowns and accidents at work sites.
Elf houses
(CC BY 2.0 DE)