Tradition
SWEDEN
Lucia in Sweden
by My Hall and Elin
The Swedish tradition has its root in both
Nordic and Christian manners. According
the old believe 13th December a dangerous
night because many supernatural powers
were in movement that night. People also
believed that animals could speak during
the night of Lucia. All Christmas
preparations were supposed to be finished
at the night of Lucia, and you celebrated by
eating and drinking a bit more.
The night of Lucia is named after Sankta
Lucia who was a patron saint for the Sicilian city Syrakusa. The Swedish
celebration has no connection to the saint; at Sicilian they celebrate Lucia
through letting the children give the saint and a “flying donkey” food. The
donkey helps the saint deliver presents to the children. Even though the name
comes from the Sicilian celebration, the Swedish way to celebrate is very
different. Actually they have nothing in common, except the saint.
The Swedish way celebrate has been through a development over the
centuries; around the turn of the 1900 century a common Lucia tradition
established in Sweden.
We are now going to describe the old way to celebrate, and the modern way.
The old way to celebrate the night of Lucia
During the Middle Ages was the night of Lucia the year’s longest night. It was the
darkest time of the year and the people believed that they had to appeal to the lights
power to get the light to return. It is from these thoughts that the Swedish light feast
has its roots. The tradition of a female with lights in her hair comes from a pagan light
goddess.
The night was considered as a dangerous night and people stayed inside and tried not to
fall asleep. The tradition with the light was retrained at the night of Lucia. This night
was also called “Lussinatta” and took place at the 13 of December as well. During
“Lussinatta” a female demon who was riding through the air with her companion
“lussiferda”.