Norse pagan yule decorations are a key part of the winter solstice celebration among followers of the ancient Norse religion. Yule, which was traditionally celebrated from late December to early January, marked the rebirth of the sun god and the beginning of longer days. The Norse people would decorate their homes and communal spaces with various symbols and items that were believed to bring good luck, protect against evil spirits, and ensure a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year. Evergreen trees were an important part of Norse pagan yule decorations. The use of evergreens symbolized the continuing cycle of life and represented the everlasting nature of the gods. These trees would be adorned with candles, nuts, and small ornaments such as birds and animals carved from wood or bone.
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You’ve probably heard the term before, whether in reference to the Yule Log tradition, as a lyric of a “Yuletide Carol,” or the famous Hogwarts Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Many assume the word is simply synonymous with Christmas. In reality, the word predates not only the Christian holiday but Christianity itself. So what is Yule, where does it come from, and where did it go? Keep reading to learn more. And save the date for our virtual Yule Ball at Home celebration on Saturday, December 12 at 7 p.m.
Origins of Yule
The word “yule” comes from the Norse Celebration known as “Jól” or “Jul” (pronounced “yoh-l” or “yule”), meaning “wheel.” It is thought to refer to either the “wheel” of the sun or the “wheel” of the calendar year. The holiday itself is a celebration of the winter solstice. The winter solstice, usually around December 21, is sometimes known as the longest night. When it is over, the days start getting longer once more, and the nights shorter.
However, the traditions we associate with Yule are not from Scandinavia alone. For much of human history, people have celebrated the winter solstice in one form or another, especially throughout Europe. The records we have of the exact origin of each aspect are somewhat spotty, for many reasons. Some Pagan religions, such as the Celtic Druids of Ireland, relied completely on oral histories. Through trade routes, celebrations and customs spread, each influencing one another. As a result, there is a fair amount of ambiguity as to where exactly each tradition began. However, it is believed that Yule traditions spread from Scandinavia to the British Isles due to Viking raiding and occupation. The Celtic and Scottish holiday also called “Yule” supports this theory.
Yule and Christmas
As Christian missionaries began to spread across Europe, their journey was not without opposition. It is not an easy task to convince a group of people to abandon the traditions their ancestors held for centuries. It’s been theorized that Christmas purposely incorporated many pagan traditions in its celebration to soften the blow of conversion and make the young Christian religion seem more appealing and familiar to possible converts. It’s also believed this is why Christmas was placed on December 25, days within the winter solstice, despite many believing the birth of Jesus occurred in the spring. “You can still decorate a fir tree. We do that, too. But for Jesus.” And trees aren’t the only Yuletide tradition we see at Christmas. Here are a few of the most prominent:
1. Holly and Mistletoe
Celtic Druids believed mistletoe was a sacred plant because it is one of the rare few that blooms and thrives during the winter. It was seen as a symbol of life and rebirth and was believed to possess healing properties. The Celts would decorate their homes with mistletoe in order to ward off evil spirits that may roam around on the longest night.
The Romans saw mistletoe as a harbinger of peace and friendship. They believed that if enemies met under the mistletoe, they would cease their quarrel and make peace. It’s still a far cry from kissing, though. That particular Christmas tradition is believed to have come from Greece, where mistle was used not only in their solstice festival, Kronia, but also played a big part in weddings, where the bride and groom would kiss underneath it.
Rome took many of its cues from Greece, and during their nearly week-long festivities of the winter holiday Saturnalia, they would hang a “kissing bush” made of a variety of herbs from their ceilings. Sometimes this would include mistletoe, but since the plant was far less abundant in parts of Rome, it was often substituted with other plants like rosemary, bay or holly.
For a time, mistletoe was banned from Christian churches due to its pagan associations.
2. The Yule Log
As far as popular Christmas traditions, the Yule Log often takes a back seat to more popular icons like Christmas trees, stockings and Santa Claus. But for earlier pagan celebrations, especially in Scandinavia, the burning of the Yule Log takes center stage.
The exact type of wood used varies from region to region. England tended to use oak, while Scotland preferred birch, and France, cherry wood. In Scandinavia, they used ash wood, which was representative of life. Some sources even say that, since the wood was representative of life, that like life, it could not be bought. One superstition stated that the longer the Yule Log burned, the faster the sun would rise. After the holiday, the Yule log’s ashes were spread over the roof of the house.
Yule involved many fires. It was a festival of light, to drive out the darkness and welcome the rebirth of the sun. Earlier iterations of the festival, especially in Scotland and Scandinavia, held large central bonfires, as well as (or instead of) the burning of Yule Logs in the home. There was also an abundance of candles, which may have inspired today’s intricate Christmas light displays.
3. The Tree
Even one of the most popular symbols we associate with the Christmas season has its roots in pagan practice. Much like mistletoe and holly, evergreen trees were seen as symbols of life, because they kept their green color throughout the winter months.
Trees were decorated with a variety of trinkets: candles, coins, dried fruit, bells, pinecones, strung berries, and more. The exact reason and symbolism vary between accounts. Some claim that the decorations represent wishes for the upcoming year- coins for wealth, fruits for a good harvest, etc. Other accounts say that they are offerings.
One Yule tree story I find particularly enjoyable involves the spirit that lives in the evergreen. You take the tree inside and dress and care for it, and in exchange, the tree’s spirit will protect your home and possibly even leave little gifts beneath the tree. This is why for many modern pagan practitioners, it is important to have a real, living tree rather than an artificial one. Because a plastic tree has no spirit!
Posted on behalf of Kelsey Schaeflein, Adult and Teen Services Specialist
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Celtic knots, pentagrams, Trees of Life. almost everywhere you turn here at Dragonspace, you come face to face with a sacred symbol that has a long history and manifold meaning. Symbols adorn pendants and trinket boxes, journals and athames, artwork and sculptures. When you see them, your mind immediately makes a connection between the symbol and its meaning, whether that’s spiritual, cultural, historical, or even purely aesthetic.
Language itself has its origins in symbology. Right now, you’re reading ‘words’ or markings on a page and deriving meaning from them. The human ability to condense huge concepts into a succinct visual form is remarkable. And sacred symbols are are beautiful example of that.
Here, we explore a few of the most prevalent symbols featured on our merchandise in the store.
These trees would be adorned with candles, nuts, and small ornaments such as birds and animals carved from wood or bone. The candles served as both a light source and a symbol of the returning sun, while the ornaments represented the abundance of nature and the wildlife that relied on it. Another common element of Norse pagan yule decorations was the use of wreaths.
Celtic Knot
Celtic knots are perhaps the most common symbol you’ll come across at Dragonspace. We’re very inspired by Celtic culture and mythology here at the store, and knots are one of the most recurring features of Celtic design. The interwoven nature of knots makes them a popular symbol of interconnectedness and unity. They often have no beginning or end - simply an infinite loop - making them signifiers of eternity, and perhaps the cycles of life itself. The triquetra or trinity knot is one of the most common Celtic knots, symbolising the three-fold nature of life and the earth. The Celtic Cross is another popular knot—a religious symbol often found in churches or burial sites. Spiral knots are another common Celtic motif, often believed to be inspired by the patterns found in nature. Celtic knots are found in heraldry and jewelry, architecture and textiles, and have come to have universal recognition.
Wreaths made from evergreen branches, including holly and mistletoe, were hung on doors and in windows to ward off evil spirits and ensure fertility and prosperity. Mistletoe, in particular, was considered a sacred plant and was often used as a symbol of peace and love during the yuletide celebrations. The yule log was also an important decoration in Norse pagan traditions. The log, usually selected from a fruit-bearing tree, would be burned in the hearth as a way to honor the gods and provide warmth and light during the long winter nights. The ashes from the yule log were believed to possess magical properties and were often used in rituals and spells to bring good fortune and protection. Overall, Norse pagan yule decorations were a way to connect with nature, honor the gods, and ensure a prosperous year ahead. They incorporated symbols and items that represented the cycles of life and the importance of the sun in providing sustenance and growth. While modern yuletide celebrations may have evolved, these ancient traditions continue to have a lasting impact on the festive decorations we see today..
Reviews for "Yule Spirits: Folklore and Beliefs in Norse Pagan Yule Decorations"
1. Karen - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the Norse pagan yule decorations. Firstly, they were poorly made with cheap materials that looked flimsy and tacky. The colors were not vibrant and the designs were simplistic and lacking in creativity. I had high hopes for these decorations to add some authentic Norse charm to my yule celebration, but instead, they just looked cheap and generic. I ended up taking them down and using my old decorations that I already had. Definitely not worth the money.
2. John - 2 stars
I bought the Norse pagan yule decorations with the expectation of bringing some unique and historical elements to my holiday decor. Unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. The designs were basic and lacked the attention to detail that I was hoping for. Additionally, the materials used felt flimsy and didn't hold up well. I had a couple of ornaments break within days of hanging them up. Overall, I don't think these decorations lived up to the hype and I would not recommend them to anyone looking for authentic Norse pagan yule decorations.
3. Emma - 2 stars
The Norse pagan yule decorations I purchased did not meet my expectations at all. The images online made them seem vibrant and captivating, but in reality, they looked dull and uninspiring. The quality was also lacking, with the pieces feeling fragile and poorly constructed. They didn't last long and many of the decorations started to fall apart before the holiday season was even over. I was hoping for something unique and special, but these decorations fell short. I wouldn't recommend them to others looking for a true Norse pagan yule experience.