Why do Swedes celebrate Santa Lucia?

Why do Swedes celebrate Santa Lucia?

Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.

Why do we celebrate Lucia Day?

The observance commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-4th-century virgin martyr under the Diocletianic Persecution, who according to legend brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as ...

Why do Sweden celebrate Lucia religion Binogi com?

0:035:09Why do Sweden celebrate Lucia (Religion) - Binogi.com - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShe was killed in the fourth century by Roman soldiers and is remembered as a martyr by theMoreShe was killed in the fourth century by Roman soldiers and is remembered as a martyr by the Christian Church. It said that Lucia would bring food to prisoners in a dark dungeon.

What is Santa Lucia in Sweden?

Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St. Lucia's Day (or St. Lucy's Day) on December 13th. The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden. St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304.

What does Sweden call Santa Claus?

Christmas in Sweden: The tomte, Sweden's version of Santa Claus, is a scary gnome.

Why did St Lucia wear candles on her head?

St. Lucia's Day is an important holiday celebrating light during the long, dark winter—especially in Scandinavia, where some regions may see only a few hours of daylight. ... Lucia took food to persecuted Christians in hiding, wearing candles on her head to light her way so she could have both hands free.

What does Sweden do for Christmas?

On Christmas Eve, or Julafton, Swedes celebrating Christmas attend church services. They return home to a traditional family dinner including a buffet dinner (smörgåsbord) with ham, pork, or fish, and a variety of sweets. After the festive Christmas Eve dinner, someone dresses up as Tomte.

What does Sweden eat for Christmas?

Christmas presents are under the lighted tree, candles shine brightly and the smorgasbord (or smörgåsbord, as it's written in Swedish) has been prepared with all the classic dishes: Christmas ham, pork sausage, an egg and anchovy mixture (gubbröra), herring salad, pickled herring, home-made liver pâté, wort-flavoured ...

Why does St Lucia have candles on her head?

Lucy would secretly bring food to persecuted Christians in Rome hiding in the catacombs, wearing candles on her head to keep her hands free and illuminate the way. In fact, the name Lucia comes from the Latin word "lux", meaning "light".

Why does Sweden celebrate Christmas on the 24th?

Celebrating on the 24th of December It is, in fact, a part of the Nordic culture to celebrate most holidays on the eve of. The reason for this is the way the Nordic countries used to measure time and dates. Based on ancient ways of counting time, a day would typically start after sundown.