Yesterday was St Lucy’s day. Here is some of the things Wikipedia has to say about the day:
Saint Lucy’s Day is on 13 December, in Advent. Her feast once coincided with the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year before calendar reforms, so her feast day has become a festival of light.[1][2] St. Lucy’s Day is celebrated most commonly inScandinavia, with their long dark winters, where it is a major feast day, and in Italy, with each emphasizing a different aspect of the story.
In Scandinavia, where Lucy is called Lucia, she is represented by a person dressed in a white dress and red sash with a crown or wreath of candles on her head. In both Norway and Sweden, girls (or sometimes boys) dressed as Lucy carry rolls and cookies in procession as songs are sung. It is said that to vividly celebrate St. Lucy’s Day will help one live the long winter days with enough light.
I did not walk around with a white dress or candles all day, but I did go to the bakery and got myself a “lussekatt” a safon bun that is the traditional pastry for the holiday. I also enjoyed some of the marzipan we made last week.
Today I’m going to my parents place to eat a Norwegian christmas dish called Lutefisk, this litterally means lye fish, and it it actually just that. Dispite the weirdness it tastes really good.
Hope you all are enjoying a good advent-weekend.
Wonderful traditions…not so sure about that lye fish though. 😉 Enjoy your holidays! Thanks for the information on St. Lucy’s Day.
I know it sounds terible with the lye fish, but it’s actually quite tasty 🙂 You too should enjoy your holidays. Best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you. It has been quiet, but lovely, so far. 😊
I’ve been reading a few of your Christmas memories posts and about traditions you observe this time of year. Traditions make everything seem more meaningful. I’ve heard of St. Lucy’s day. I used to have a pen pal from Sweden, and she told me about the celebration with the candles wreath on the children’s heads during the procession. She even sent pictures of her daughter. I love that tradition, but always wondered how they kept from burning their hair! … Well, I do wish you and yours a wonderful, peaceful Christmas season! 🙂
It’s just one girl with candles in her hair. The rest has a candle in their hand. The lights in the hair are mostly battery run these days. But I suspect there has been quite a few accedents involving candles at St. Lucy’s day. I like traitions and for me they are a very important part of Christmas. Thank you for visiting .
Oh, thanks for letting me know that. I didn’t know there was only one with candles in her hair. I’ll bet it is a beautiful procession to see. Glad they now use the battery candles. I enjoy seeing your pictures, and hearing of your part of the world.
It is lovely especialy if they sing the song in tune.
And a lovely season to you and yours.
Thank you!
Enjoy the festivities 🙂
Thank you! Hope you have a great holiday season.
You too! 🙂
Your posts are very informative about Norwegian culture. Very interesting.
Thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed!
You are welcome. Have a lovely day.
You too!