As mentioned in my Saturday post, January 13th is the traditional day to throw out Christmas here in Sweden. Because of a question from someone in the comments to that post (why we do it a week later here than in some other countries) I ended up doing some additional research - and found out that the answer goes back as far as to 1680, when the celebration of an old saint by name Knut (Canute in English) was given a day of his own, instead of sharing with the Feast of Epiphany/Three Kings' Day. So the Feast of Saint Knut was moved forward one week here, from the 6th to the 13th. And for some reason, in Sweden (and Finland) the traditions connected with throwing out Christmas must have been more associated with St Knut, than with the Magi arriving at Bethlehem.
There is an old rhyme in Swedish that says "Tjugondag* Knut ska julen [dansas] ut." In English that might be translated "On the Feast of St Knut, Christmas is thrown out [with dancing].") *Tjugondag = 20th day /of Christmas/.
How far back in time that saying goes, I don't know. Perhaps even to before 1680, when the feast was still on the 13th day of Christmas? (The rhyme would function just as well with that date, in Swedish.)
Be that as it may... I kept to the tradition this year, and got the last of my Christmas things packed up and taken down to the storage room today. And my usual all-year-round window lamps are now back on the window sills, instead of the electric candles.
As always, I found myself missing the electric candles + window star in the kitchen window the most... So I ended up placing my two red battery candles there - for a transition period...
Outdoors we're back to very grey weather, and now slowly thawing again. I took out a wastebag to the dustbins at the corner of the building, but decided that it was definitely a day better spent indoors than trying to "enjoy" a walk... I'm hoping the old snow and ice will melt away over the next couple of days, before it turns colder again (as sooner or later it no doubt will).
I did not have a St Knut's Feast as such - but I did finish the last of the ginger biscuits. (I did not bake any myself this Christmas, but I bought some. Sugarfree, not to stir up too much of a craving!)
It's fascinating to learn how traditions evolve and the origins of certain customs. I google the term and find out Canut is a prince initially. How fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGinger is good for your stomach. I think red candles are good anytime in the fall or winter. Is this a Rubber plant, a Fig Tree?
ReplyDeleteI had almost no Christmas decorations this year so removing them took only minutes.
ReplyDeleteThe red candles look good with the red and white gingham curtains, cheering up the room on those grey days with still rather early nights.
ReplyDeleteToo cold for my liking here yesterday to go out for a proper walk, in spite of the sun; I left the house twice for errands but both times where I needed to go was only a 5-minute walk from home.
I always think of King Canute commanding the waves and proving to the people that he had not the power to control them - a humble man despite his position.
ReplyDeletevery interesting info... I like the tradition. good idea to put candles out, I love candles and low liight. your lamps are all so pretty and the perfect windowsill for them. my favorite lampshade is the red and black one with the poinsettia... sure brightens your home
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