Swedish Tradition (LUCIA)
St. Lucia Day (Sankt Luciadag) St. Lucia Day is celebrated in honor of a young Sicilian saint who lived around the fourth century. Several legends surround the girl's life and her accomplishments. One of the most common legends states that Lucia was a devout Christian who was killed by a Roman solider when she refused to denounce her faith.
Another story says that Lucia was loved by a man, but she did not love him back and she refused to marry him. Learning that he would not marry Lucia, the man became angry and threatened to burn the girl alive. Lucia prayed that she would not die in the fire, and when she was put in the flames, she survived. Because of this, the man grabbed a sword and stabbed Lucia in the throat. The girl did not die for another three hours, during which she was able to speak and said many beautiful things.
Another story about Lucia explains that a man whom Lucia did not like was in love with her. The man greatly admired Lucia's beautiful eyes. Since she could not give him her love, Lucia gave the man her eyes. After doing this, Lucia grew back new eyes, which were even more beautiful than before. The man then desired Lucia's new eyes, and when she refused to give him those, he stabbed her in the heart.
To honor St. Lucia, the Swedish celebrate her feast day. On December 13 every year the eldest daughters of Swedish families dress as St. Lucia and wake their parents with Lussekatter (St. Lucia Buns), Pepparkakor (a type of spicy gingerbread cookies) and a song. She dresses in a long, white dress, which she ties at her waist with a red sash. She also wears a wreath of candles (which today are electric) upon her head. Lucia is often followed by other children carrying candles. The other girls wear white dresses, while the boys, who are called star boys (Stärngosse), wear white clothing and pointy hats decorated with golden stars.
________________
13th of december!
If I was in Sweden now... I would have been going out with my friends to one or another party.
God Bless them!
________________
Another story says that Lucia was loved by a man, but she did not love him back and she refused to marry him. Learning that he would not marry Lucia, the man became angry and threatened to burn the girl alive. Lucia prayed that she would not die in the fire, and when she was put in the flames, she survived. Because of this, the man grabbed a sword and stabbed Lucia in the throat. The girl did not die for another three hours, during which she was able to speak and said many beautiful things.
Another story about Lucia explains that a man whom Lucia did not like was in love with her. The man greatly admired Lucia's beautiful eyes. Since she could not give him her love, Lucia gave the man her eyes. After doing this, Lucia grew back new eyes, which were even more beautiful than before. The man then desired Lucia's new eyes, and when she refused to give him those, he stabbed her in the heart.
To honor St. Lucia, the Swedish celebrate her feast day. On December 13 every year the eldest daughters of Swedish families dress as St. Lucia and wake their parents with Lussekatter (St. Lucia Buns), Pepparkakor (a type of spicy gingerbread cookies) and a song. She dresses in a long, white dress, which she ties at her waist with a red sash. She also wears a wreath of candles (which today are electric) upon her head. Lucia is often followed by other children carrying candles. The other girls wear white dresses, while the boys, who are called star boys (Stärngosse), wear white clothing and pointy hats decorated with golden stars.
________________
13th of december!
If I was in Sweden now... I would have been going out with my friends to one or another party.
God Bless them!
________________
Kommentarer
Trackback
