A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Christmas is one of the greatest celebrations in the Christian calendar. We dress Christmas tree, eat, and surprise each other with gifts. For many of us, it is a very special time since we celebrate the
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – It isn’t easy to imagine a Christmas celebration without a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at home. In the United States alone, more than 40 million real or specially grown trees are sold during the Christmas period
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Shortly before Christmas, you can see this little fellow everywhere in Scandinavia. He appears on Christmas cards, in shops, on the Christmas tree, outdoors, and in places you wouldn’t expect to find him. He is
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – In Icelandic folklore, Gryla (Grýla) is a giantess living in Iceland’s mountains. In Snorre Sturluson’s Prose Edda, from the 13th century, she is mentioned as the most horrible sorcerer who scared children into obedience. Many
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Did you know that Nordic people celebrated a festival similar to Christmas long before they became Christian? Of course, Norse Yule was not the same as our Christmas festival, but there are many similarities between
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – When darkness falls and the days get colder, we gather around the fireplace to embrace the warmth. In the old days, when there were no radiators, the chimney was a treasure that helped survive cold
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – As Christmas draws near, children eagerly anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus, hoping for gifts that reward their good behavior. The familiar tale warns that misbehaving kids might find coal instead of toys and candy.
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Most of us would think twice before placing this little pooping guy known as Caganer at home during Christmas. Our friends and family might think we have an odd sense of humor, and there seems
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Today, we associate mistletoe with Christmas. We decorate with mistletoe and don’t think much about how this wonderful plant entered our homes. To many of us, mistletoe is simply one of many Christmas traditions, but the
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Ancient legends of Perchta (also known as Berchta or Berta) are native to Austria, especially Salzburg, the Alpine regions of Switzerland, and southern Germany. Perchta is a very old mythological figure, which remembers pre-Christian times.
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – On December 13, the Feast of Saint Lucy is celebrated in some countries. This memorable Christmas holiday is of great importance, mainly in Scandinavia and Italy. It’s called St. Lucy Day (also known as St.
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – The Wild Hunt is a well-known folklore story in Northern Europe. It is said that seeing the Wild Hunt is dangerous because it warns of a coming disaster or the death of the person who witnessed
Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – It may sound somewhat surprising, but the celebration of Christmas, Easter, Midsummer, and Saint’s Day was forbidden in Scotland for a very long time. Most Scots are Christians, but Christmas has been considered un-Christian. This
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – If you ever visit Sweden during Christmas, make sure to go to the city of Gävle, where you can see a colossal goat made of straw standing at Slottstorget (Castle Square). The giant goat is
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Advent is a Christian season of celebration that begins on a Sunday and continues for three other Sundays leading up to Christmas. The candles in the Advent wreath are lit every night during Advent. The first
Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Are you going to celebrate Halloween on October 31? If so, you may already know it originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. During Samhain, lighting bonfires and wearing costumes were essential to ward
