Many Christmas traditions originate from various pagan practices that predate Christianity. This rich tapestry of influence stems from numerous ancient cultures including Roman, Norse, and Celtic traditions.
As Christmas was adopted across different cultures and epochs, these pagan customs were gradually assimilated and Christianised. In this article, we explore some of these pagan Christmas traditions that have endured throughout the centuries.
Saturnalia: An Ancestral Festival of Merriment
Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival held in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, followed by a public banquet, private gift-giving, and an ongoing carnival.
With Saturnalia typically celebrated from December 17-23, its proximity to the modern Christmas season is notable. Many aspects of the festival, such as the exchange of gifts, indulgence in feasts, and an overall spirit of goodwill, are echoed in contemporary Christmas celebrations.
Yule and the Winter Solstice
The festival of Yule, celebrated by Germanic and Norse peoples, corresponds with the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year and usually falls on December 21. Yule was a time of feasting, drinking, and sacrifice.
A centrepiece of Yule was the Yule log, a large log that was ceremoniously burned in the hearth. The tradition of the Yule log has largely survived and been adapted into modern Christmas practices. Today, some people still burn a Yule log, while others may use a decorative log or even bake a Yule log cake.
Photo by Annie Spratt on UnsplashThe Holly and the Ivy
The holly and the ivy, plants that are now synonymous with Christmas, have their roots in Celtic traditions. To the Druids, holly was a sacred plant that symbolised eternal life. During the winter solstice, they would gather holly branches and decorate their homes.
Similarly, ivy was revered as a symbol of immortality and protection. The custom of decorating homes with holly and ivy was assimilated into Christmas traditions, and the plants became popular Christmas decorations.
Mistletoe: A Symbol of Peace and Love
Mistletoe was another sacred plant to the Druids, and it has a rich folklore associated with it. The Druids believed that mistletoe possessed magical properties that could bestow health and good luck. They would gather it in a special ceremony, avoiding letting it touch the ground, as this was believed to dissipate its magical qualities.
The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe stems from Norse mythology and was later incorporated into Christmas celebrations. In this context, the mistletoe is viewed as a symbol of peace, love, and goodwill.
Photo by Elliott B on UnsplashThe Christmas Tree: An Evergreen Legacy
The tradition of the Christmas tree originates from several cultures. The Romans would decorate their homes and temples with evergreen branches during Saturnalia, while the Celts used evergreen boughs to symbolise everlasting life.
The modern concept of the Christmas tree, however, can be traced back to Germany. In the 16th century, devout Christians began to decorate trees in their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and adorned them with evergreens and candles. Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, is said to have added the first lighted candles to a tree.
Santa Claus: The Merging of Mythologies
Santa Claus, one of the most recognisable figures associated with Christmas, is a composite character drawn from various mythologies and traditions. The modern-day image of Santa Claus owes its existence to St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop known for his generous and anonymous gifts to the poor.
However, Santa’s red suit and his habit of entering homes via the chimney share similarities with the British figure of Father Christmas, who emerged in the 17th century and was associated with holiday merrymaking and feasting.
In addition, elements of the Norse god Odin are evident in Santa Claus. Odin was often depicted as a bearded old man who, during the Yule period, led a great hunting party through the sky. Children would place their boots, filled with carrots, straw, or sugar, near the chimney for Odin’s flying horse, Sleipnir – a practice that can be seen as a precursor to hanging stockings by the fireplace.
Wassailing: From Orchard Ritual to Carol Singing
Wassailing is an English tradition with roots in the 5th century. The word “wassail” comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase “waes hael”, meaning “be well”. It was a ritual intended to awaken the cider apple trees and scare off evil spirits, thereby ensuring a good harvest in the coming year.
During the wassail, people would sing and drink to the health of the trees. This practice evolved over time, and by the Middle Ages, the wassailing had turned into the tradition of visiting neighbours to sing carols and share a drink, a custom that closely resembles carol singing today.
Photo by Elijah Hiett on UnsplashThe Feast of Juul
In Scandinavia, the festival known as Juul (or Jol) was celebrated in December. Fires would be lit to symbolise the heat and light of the returning sun and a Juul (or Yule) log was brought in and dropped in the hearth as a tribute to the Norse god Thor.
The Yule log was a significant aspect of the celebration and would be kept burning for twelve days. The rest would be stored for the following year, to protect the house from lightning. This tradition survives today in the form of the Yule log, a popular Christmas dessert.
Absolutely, there are a few more interesting connections between Christmas and Pagan traditions we can explore.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The ‘Twelve Days of Christmas,’ commonly celebrated in modern times from December 25 to January 5, has echoes in the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, which lasted for seven days, and the Yuletide season, which spanned nearly two weeks.
During this period, Romans and Germanic tribes would celebrate the winter solstice and honour their gods. The tradition of celebrating for twelve days was later incorporated into Christmas, becoming a time to commemorate the birth of Jesus and the visit from the Three Wise Men.
Christmas Wreaths
The tradition of making wreaths comes from the ancient Romans and the Druids. Romans would often exchange evergreen wreaths during Saturnalia as a sign of good fortune and health. The Druids viewed evergreen plants as symbols of eternal life and used them to make wreaths and other decorations. Today, Christmas wreaths made from evergreens are a common sight during the holiday season.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day, celebrated the day after Christmas, has origins in the Roman tradition of collecting money in boxes during the Saturnalia festival. After Christianity spread throughout Rome, this tradition continued, with collections held for the poor during the Christmas season.
In the Middle Ages, priests would open the church’s charity boxes on December 26 and distribute the coins to the poor, giving birth to Boxing Day.
Celebrating on December 25th
While the Bible doesn’t provide a specific date for Jesus’s birth, December 25th was chosen, aligning with the winter solstice festivals.
The Roman festival of Saturnalia and the ‘Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ (Birth of the Unconquered Sun) both took place in late December around this time. By choosing this date, the Christian Church was able to co-opt popular pagan holidays and provide a Christian alternative.
The Enduring Legacy of Pagan Traditions
Pagan traditions have greatly influenced the way we celebrate Christmas today. Although these customs have been Christianised and modified over the centuries, their essence still remains. They serve as a testament to the human desire for unity, joy, and goodwill during the winter season.
Understanding the rich history behind our Christmas customs can only deepen our appreciation of the holiday. It reminds us of our shared heritage and our enduring need to celebrate life, even during the darkest days of winter.
As we trim our trees, sing carols, or hang wreaths, we participate in traditions that are thousands of years old, resonating with the celebrations of our ancient ancestors. The essence of these traditions, their messages of hope and joy, remain relevant and powerful even today.
Read more about Christmas Traditions and Customs