19th December 2016

[silvs_advent_dw]

The Tradition of the Yule Log



According to the Encyclopedia of English Folklore, the first "clear" references to the tradition appear in the 17th century, and thus it is unclear where or when the custom extends.

However, it has long been observed that the custom may have much earlier origins, possibly extending from or echoing customs observed in Germanic paganism. As early as 1725, Henry Bourne sought an origin for the Yule log in Anglo-Saxon paganism:

Our Fore-Fathers, when the common Devious of Eve were over, and Night was come on, were wont to light up Candles of an uncommon Size, which were called Christmas-Candles, and to lay a Log of Wood upon the Fire, which they termed a Yule-Clog, or Christmas-Block. These were to Illuminate the House, aud [sic] turn the Night into Day; which custom, in some Measure, is still kept up in the Northern Parts. It hath, in all probability, been derived from the Saxons. For Bede tells us, That [sic] this very Night was observed in this Land before, by the Heathen Saxons. They began, says he, their Year on the Eight of the Calenders of January, which is now our Christmas Party: And the very Night before, which is now Holy to us, was by them called Mædrenack, or the Night of the Mothers … The Yule-Clog therefore hath probably been a Part of those Ceremonies which were perform'd that Night's Ceremonies. It seems to have been used, as an Emblem of the return of the Sun, and the lengthening of the Days. For as both December and January were called Guili or Yule, upon Account of the Sun's Returning, and the Increase of the Days; so, I am apt to believe, the Log has had the Name of the Yule-Log, from its being burnt as an Emblem of the returning Sun, and the Increase of its Light and Heat. This was probably the Reason of the custom among the Heathen Saxons; but I cannot think the Observation of it was continued for the same Reason, after Christianity was embraced.

More recently, G. R. Willey (1983) says:

Communal bon-bons with feasting and jollification have a pagan root—ritual bonfires at the beginning of November once signaled the start of another year and the onset of winter. Their subsequent incorporation into the Christian calendar, to become part and parcel of the festival of Christmas, and, later, their association with the New Year (January 1st) is an intriguing story. Many, if not all, of the various customs and traditions at one time extensively witnessed at Christmas and the 'old' New Year stem from this common source, e.g. Twelfth Night bonfires, including 'Old Meg' from Worcestershire and burning the bush from Herefordshire, first footing, etc. … Any traces of primitive ritual such as scattering of burnt ashes or embers as an omen of fertilisation or purification have long since disappeared.

The events of Yule are generally held to have centred on Midwinter (although specific dating is a matter of debate), and feasting, drinking, and sacrifice (blót) were involved. Scholar Rudolf Simek comments that the pagan Yule feast "had a pronounced religious character" and comments that "it is uncertain whether the Germanic Yule feast still had a function in the cult of the dead and in the veneration of the ancestors, a function which the mid-winter sacrifice certainly held for the West European Stone and Bronze Ages." The traditions of the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar (Sonargöltr) still reflected in the Christmas ham, Yule singing, and others stem from Yule customs, and customs which Simek takes as "indicat[ing] the significance of the feast in pre-Christian times."

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log

Comments

[amruniel.livejournal.com]

How very interesting!
I think you know by now how much I love these historical posts!

I think it's particularly interesting that the tradition of yule logs (or anything remotely similar) has completely died out around here - if it really stems from a German tradition (which I think highly likely) I think it's really interesting that I have never heard about any German (or Austrian, obviously) actually burning a special log on Christmas ever/during the pre-Christmas season :)
I do, however, know a couple of families who have a candle burn throughout the night leading up to Christmas (which is the 24th around here), but the "official" reason behind it is to guide the Christkind to their home - which in itself is a rather strange reasoning, since there obviously are the whole daylight hours of the 24th between the night with the burning candle and Christmas eve when the Christkind should show up to deliver the presents... Ah well... if it makes the kids happy, you don't need a reasonable explanation, I guess ;)

(Aaaaand I'm digressing, again... no wonder I am absolutely incapable of writing a short thesis, essay or fic *rolls eyes at herself*)

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

I think reading about all the different traditions my friends enjoy has been one of the best bits of this!

[amruniel.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I can imagine!

[laura-iskra.livejournal.com]

well I'm finally starting to understand the origin of all the "yule" talk at christmas time :p

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

It's been interesting to find out these things :-)

[gattodoro.livejournal.com]

We drove past Stonehenge earlier and the Druids and New Age folk were already turning up for the Winter Solstice. I hope their camper vans come equipped with the modern equivalent of a Yule log as it is a tad wet and chilly out there.

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

Sounds very miserable to me actually!

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

It's fascinating - but I'm glad we only have table top chocolate ones now and don't have to drag them down the street! *grin*

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

I'd rather have the cake version too!

[byalara.livejournal.com]

It´s very interesting. I love traditions. Thanks for sharing again.

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

My pleasure!