Winter solstice celebrations are common throughout the world, and in the northern hemisphere usually take place on 21st December. That is when the days stop getting shorter, and, from 22nd December, begin to be longer. The Winter Solstice was therefore regarded as an extremely significant time in agricultural areas, as the dying of nature which had taken place in the autumn would be replaced with its awakening in the increasing daylight.
Rituals associated with the winter solstice involve the lighting of candles as a reminder of the forthcoming strengthening of the sun, and the bringing in of evergreen branches to symbolise the future renewal of growth in the spring.
In Scandinavian countries, and in Italy, the solstice is the day when Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia) is commemorated. Saint Lucy was a fourth century Christian martyr who, according to legend, brought food to Christians hiding in catacombs in Rome. Dressed in a white robe Lucy wore a headdress of candles so she didn’t have to hold them in her hand – allowing her to carry more food. So, as well as bringing food she brought light, and it was this that led to her feast day taking place on the shortest day of the year. The festival of Santa Lucia involves young women dressed in white and wearing a wreath of candles on their heads processing to symbolise the Light of Christ to a darkened world.
The 21st of December was the day on which a large log of wood was chosen to place on the hearth on Christmas Eve, to be burnt throughout the Christmas period. The origin of this custom is unclear but as it is called a Yule log it may be that it was a Scandinavian tradition brought to Britain by the Vikings.
The custom of bringing greenery into the house in winter is ancient and originates in pagan religions. In the British Isles the most common plants used for decoration are holly, ivy and mistletoe.
Each has an important significance. Holly, in Celtic Britain, was seen as a protection against evil. An ancient myth was that a holly king and an oak king would fight for supremacy at the winter solstice. The oak king won the battle and reigned until the holly won the fight at the summer solstice. With the arrival of Christianity holly was seen in reference to the crown of thorns and represented Jesus – while ivy represented the Virgin Mary.
Like holly, ivy – with its ability to stay alive throughout the winter – was regarded as a means of driving out evil. In Ancient Rome the wearing of a wreath made of ivy was thought to prevent drunkenness, and in Britain “The Ivy” is a popular name for pubs. The ability of ivy to cling to leafless trees and remain green in the winter months was seen in medieval Christianity as a symbol of eternal life.
Mistletoe was a sacred plant to Celtic druids and was ceremonially cut with a golden sickle at the winter solstice. The white berries of the plant were seen by many pagan cultures as a symbol of male fertility as they resembled semen. It may be that the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe refers to this.
