Study › Runes & Norse › The Huldufolk
The huldufolk, the "hidden people", are the elves of Icelandic belief: beings like humans who live in rocks and hills, seen only when they wish to be. Roads in Iceland have been rerouted so as not to disturb them.
Who are the huldufolk?
The huldufolk, the 'hidden people', are the elves of Icelandic folk belief: beings much like humans, who live in rocks, hills and cliffs in a world just out of sight. They farm, keep livestock, marry and go to church as people do, but can be seen only when they wish to be.
Where the hidden people came from
An Icelandic folk tale explains their origin. When God came to visit Adam and Eve, Eve had not yet washed all her children, and ashamed, she hid the unwashed ones. God said that what was hidden from him would be hidden from people — and so the hidden children became the huldufolk.
The hidden people today
The belief has never quite disappeared. In Iceland roads have been rerouted and building work delayed so as not to disturb rocks said to be home to the hidden people, and many Icelanders will still say that it is wisest not to rule them out.
Iceland's land spirits are the landvaettir.
Questions
Are the huldufolk elves?
Yes, they are the elves of Icelandic folk belief.
Do Icelanders still believe in them?
Many will still say it is wisest not to rule them out.