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.
ReplyDeleteRo, I didn't really know the background of St Knut myself until looking it up now.
DeleteGinger 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?
ReplyDeleteGinny, yes... I know them as Ficus (elastica) but I believe they're called rubber plant by some. You can actually see two of them in my collage, one in the top left photo (living room) and one in the top right (study). And I have a third as well, in the bedroom, but that's not visible in the photo here. The "mother plant" is the one in the study that now has three branches. It got so tall I had to cut it down. I took two cuttings and put in water to grow roots. And after I cut the first plant, that one just grew new branches... I could end up with a whole forest of them if I continue!!! (I don't really have room for a whole forest of rubber plants in my apartment, though...)
DeleteI had almost no Christmas decorations this year so removing them took only minutes.
ReplyDeleteGraham, over the years I've known you, you've never had a lot of Christmas decorations... (Or at least not that you use. Who knows what may be hiding in that loft of yours!)
DeleteThe 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.
Thanks Meike. I've never had that kind of battery candles (tall ones) before, but bought these two + also two white ones for this Christmas season. When lit, the "flame" on them even moves, which makes them look quite real from a bit of a distance.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteJanice, I have to confess that I never knew (until I looked into it now) that the day was named after a saint (or king) at all. The Swedish calendar is full of "name days" (two for most days now), and even those that may originally have been put there to celebrate saints, no longer have the "saint" prefix in the calendar...
Deletevery 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
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Yes, I like that lampshade in the living room too - and it kind of matches the curtains I have there, too. (Not same pattern, but similar colours.)
DeleteThe candles and gingham curtains make the room look so welcoming. My neighbours across the road still have their big Christmas star up, although they have taken down their tree.
ReplyDeleteWe're approaching the most miserable time of the year, even though the days are slowly lengthening, so it's good to have something cheerful to brighten the days .
Thanks Carol. Yes, I like to keep those gingham curtains up until it begins to feel a bit more like "spring in the air" outdoors. They stay up until mid/late February at least - but I want them changed before Easter! :)
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