It was related to a pair of goats belonging to Thor God of Thunder and Lightning. The Yule goat was one of the most important parts of the Viking Yule. Part of it would be saved and kept until the following year to not only protect the home but also act as firewood for the following year’s Yule log. In Nordic tradition, the Yule log was a carefully selected log that was ceremonially brought into the house and burnt on a hearth during the time of Yule. The Vikings themselves would set alight to a ‘sunwheel’, which strongly resembles modern wreathsThe burning wheel was then rolled down a hill in the hope of inviting the sun to return. Wreaths were created using an evergreen plant like Holly and would be brought into people’s homes during Yuletide to remind them of the warmer days to come, a comforting symbol during the long cold winters of the Scandinavian north. Whilst the Romans originally created wreaths to be displayed as a symbol of victory, they became connected to our festive celebrations by way of Yule. In ancient Germanic and Norse tradition, the evergreens were often decorated with small carvings of the gods and food, in the hope of encouraging the tree spirits to return to bring about the new spring. The trees remained green throughout the winter and came to represent the promise of new life, a reminder that spring was just around the corner. ![]() They believed they were the special plant of Balder, the sun god. ![]() The Vikings worshipped trees, especially the evergreens of the expansive Scandinavian forests. It then represented resurrection and hope for the end of winter. Another Norse legend told of how the god of light, Balder, was killed by an arrow of mistletoe but was resurrected when his mother’s tears turned the berries of the plant red. Treat it well and it’ll be helpful to you, treat it badly and be prepared for some mischief around your house, perhaps explaining why today’s Christmas elves are often represented as being cheeky. The nisse is a mythological creature linked with the winter solstice and Christmas season, who looks like your typical garden gnome – short with a red pointy hat! The little creatures were said to live in the stables and barns of a homestead, guarding the property within. ![]() ![]() So how did we go from the álfar to the traditional elves we imagine in Santa’s workshop today? Well, we have another myth from Nordic folklore to thank, that of the ‘nisse’. Known as the álfar, where the word ‘elf’ comes from, or ‘hidden people’, these supernatural humanlike beings were said to be tall, pale and beautiful, with magical powers. Sounds a little familiar doesn’t it? It is argued that our modern Santa Claus is a mix of ancient myths, legends and folklore, the resemblance and connection to the Norse god Odin has many historians believing he could have been the original Santa.Īgain, we have Norse mythology to thank for another of our well-known Christmas traditions, the elf. The Norse god Odin was described as a bearded old man wearing a hat and a cloak, Odin would often ride his eight-legged horse Sleipnir across the midwinter night’s sky, delivering gifts to those down below. As we get ready again for a slightly different Christmas this year we have decided to investigate whether or not any of our typical Christmas traditions originate from the Vikings, and believe it or not, some do! Santa Claus
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