Living with Fire Ice and Ancient Beliefs in Iceland

Rising from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, Iceland is a land forged by fire and sculpted by ice. Its dramatic landscapes of volcanic peaks, lava fields, glaciers, and black sand beaches often steal the spotlight, but beneath the surface lies a rich historical and cultural narrative shaped by centuries of isolation, resilience, and myth. Iceland is not merely a geographical marvel; it is a country where history, legend, and natural phenomena merge into a compelling story of human tenacity and imagination.

Settlement in Iceland began in the late 9th century CE, when Norse seafarers, primarily from what is now Norway, arrived on its uninhabited shores. According to the medieval text Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements), Ingólfr Arnarson is credited as the first permanent settler, establishing a homestead in Reykjavík around 874 CE. These early settlers brought with them not only livestock and tools but also the intricate web of Norse traditions and beliefs that would permeate Icelandic culture for generations.

Unlike many parts of Europe, Iceland was never subjected to feudalism or large-scale warfare in its early years. Instead, its settlers formed a unique political system known as the Althing, one of the world's oldest surviving parliaments, established in 930 CE. The Althing convened at Þingvellir, a site of striking geological and symbolic significance, where tectonic plates drift apart and collective decisions were made in the open air. Laws were recited by the lögsögumaður (law-speaker), and disputes were settled in public view, reflecting an early commitment to communal governance.

Embedded in Iceland's cultural fabric is a deep reverence for mythology. Norse cosmology found a powerful home here. Stories of Odin, Thor, Loki, and the World Tree Yggdrasil were passed down through oral tradition and later transcribed into the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda by Icelandic scholars such as Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century. These texts remain some of the most important sources of Norse mythology, preserving narratives that would have otherwise been lost following the Christianisation of Scandinavia.

The Iceland Saga

The sagas of Icelanders, or Íslendingasögur, further distinguish Iceland’s literary heritage. Written between the 12th and 14th centuries, these epic tales recount family feuds, voyages, and blood oaths with poetic restraint and brutal honesty. Unlike high fantasy or folklore, the sagas often root themselves in real events and places, offering a blend of historical memory and dramatic storytelling unique to Icelandic tradition.

Though Christianity was officially adopted around the year 1000, traces of the old beliefs endure in Icelandic folklore. Elves, hidden people, and spirits still populate the cultural consciousness. Even today, road construction plans have been altered to avoid disturbing supposed elf dwellings, a testament to how myth continues to shape modern reality.

Isolation played a significant role in preserving this distinct identity. For centuries, Iceland remained a remote and largely self-sufficient society, enduring harsh winters, volcanic eruptions, and famines with an extraordinary level of communal resilience. Under Danish rule from the 14th century until independence in 1944, Icelandic culture remained rooted in its language and lore. The Icelandic language, remarkably unchanged since medieval times, allows modern readers to engage directly with centuries-old manuscripts, offering a rare continuity between past and present.

One of the most fascinating phenomena experienced in Iceland is the midnight sun. From late May to early August, especially around the summer solstice, the sun barely dips below the horizon in the northern parts of the country. This extended daylight has shaped both human activity and myth. Ancient Norse festivals, such as Jónsmesse (Midsummer Night), were linked to solstitial celebrations, often believed to be times when supernatural forces were most active. The midnight sun blurs boundaries between night and day, further reinforcing the Icelandic blend of the surreal and the tangible.

Culturally, Iceland punches above its weight. With a population of just over 370,000, it boasts a remarkably high rate of literary production and readership. Reykjavík, the capital, is a UNESCO City of Literature, and many Icelanders are not only avid readers but also published authors. This literary vitality is a continuation of the saga tradition, adapted to modern voices and concerns, yet still steeped in introspection and the stark beauty of the land.

Music, too, is a vital expression of Icelandic identity. While internationally known artists like Björk and Sigur Rós have brought Icelandic soundscapes to global ears, local music traditions—from rímur (epic chant poetry) to choral compositions rooted in the Lutheran heritage—continue to evolve. Art, fashion, and cuisine increasingly draw upon Iceland’s elemental nature, emphasising sustainability and storytelling through craft.

What emerges from this interweaving of myth, nature, and history is a culture that defies easy categorisation. Iceland is not merely a relic of Viking heritage nor solely a geological curiosity. It is a living, breathing entity shaped by forces ancient and modern, human and elemental. Its people have not only endured but transformed their environment into a source of inspiration and expression. In doing so, they have given the world an enduring example of how tradition and innovation can coexist without compromise.