learning Scandinavian Yule Time (Jultid) traditions after today singing hand in hand around a tree... Prior to the human figure, todays Santa Claus, here Julemand, we have a little guy, a Nisse or Tomte, its modern gnome-like form dating to a 1881 Swedish magazine illustration. Rice pudding is left for Nissen to enjoy after delivering gifts. Prior to the 1840s, the gift bearing creature was a goat. There may be a connection with the two goats that led Thors chariot. In post-Pagan Germanic Christian lore, the goat was taken to represent the devil (Krampus in Austria) and is led by Sankt Claus. But in Scandinavia, the goat is a peaceful creature. Godt Jultid!
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:25:53 +0000
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