Annie Engström, Ivar Linné, Karin Andersson-Thyberg and Elly Linné
Photo by Samuel Hedqvist
“There is evidence that practices associated with St. Lucy’s Day, including the name itself, predate the adoption of Christianity by the Nordic peoples. The pre-Christian holiday of Yule, or jól, was celebrated in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The winter solstice (longest night of winter darkness) was the mid-point between the equinoxes, and the long season of cold and dark brought about many practices that remain today. Although, from old times, the jól season was a time for feasting, drinking, gift-giving, family gatherings and jolly companionship with good neighbours, it was also a season of uneasiness and fear of the dark forces. There was the Lussi, and the scariest night of all, Lussinatta (Lussi Night). Little help is to be found in the modern concept of Santa Lucia to explain Lussi. Popular tradition was rooted in a different custom and belief than the Christian St. Lucia.
The belief in Lussi was strongly connected to the carrying out of the work tasks. Again and again the lore prescribes that such and such work must be finished, or else the Lussi will come to punish. Lussi is conceived of as a woman, usually with evil traits, like a feminine demon. Such a spirit is also found in mid- and southern European mythologies and given the name of darkness, like Lucia die dunkle (the dark Lucia). Her contrast is Lucia die helle (the fair Lucia), a Christian take-over which is associated with Saint Lucia.
The old date for the Lussi Night is December 13th, regarded as the longest night of the year and associated with the solstice. That was carried over into the new era. Between Lussi night and jól all kinds of trolls were thought to be out and about. It was particularly dangerous to be out during Lussi Night. Children who had done mischief had to take special care, because Lussi could come down through the chimney and take them. The lore also tells about a whole Lussi group traveling past: the Lussiferda. They were named as in a verse: Lisle-Ståli and Store-Ståli, Ståli Knapen and Tromli Harebakka, Sisill and Surill, Hektetryni and Botill. The Lussiferda could take people away, just like the Oskoreia or Jólaskreia could. This is another company of spirits (vetter), riding horses, which around yule-tide journey through air and over land and water, leaving eeriness and discomfort. Although not mentioned in any sources, it is very tempting to look at Father Christmas’ journey with his reindeer as a commercial relic inspired by such popular superstition.
The Saint Lucia tradition, then, is another example of Christianisation of pagan beliefs and customs. This Swedish tradition, which seems to have spread throughout the Western world, is probably an old culture-loan from Germany and explains the use of lights (Lucia from latin lux = light). Lucia adorned with the lights resembles the Christkindchen (Christ Child), who in certain parts of Germany wanders about in the community and entertains the children. This child is usually a costumed girl carrying a crown of lights. The name Saint Lucy given to this light procession tradition comes from the Italian saint who suffered a martyr’s death under the Roman Emperor Diocletian in Syracuse, Sicily around 300 AD, and whose memory was already celebrated by about 400 AD. In one of the stories associated with her legend, she was working to help Christians hiding in the catacombs. In order to bring with her as much food and drink as possible, she needed to have her hands free. She solved this problem by making a wreath to wear on her head on to which she attached lights. Thus she managed to see in the darkness of the catacombs.
There are traces of the legends of Saint Lucia even in the Nordic countries in the Middle Ages, and her day of remembrance is also December 13th (just like the Lussi). Yet another name is relevant here, namely Lucifer. His name has the same etymological background (the name literally means ‘light-bringer’). Once he was an angel of light, then he was dethroned and became the Prince of Darkness. Lussi was also conceived of as Adam’s first wife, and the ancestor of all fairies, goblins, little people – a Lilith-figure.”
via Wikipedia
