The origins of the Yule Goat (Christmas goat) are lost to history at this point, but one of the main theory is that the celebration of the goat is connected to worship of Thor the Norse god of thunder, who rode across the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjรณstr;
Another one is that it goes back to common Northern European beliefs. The last sheaf of grain bundled in the harvest was credited with magical properties as the spirit of the harvest and saved for the Yule celebrations, called among other things Yule goat (Julbocken).
This connects to ancient proto-Slavic beliefs where the Koliada (Yule) festival honors the god of the fertile sun and the harvest. This god, Devac (also known as Dazbog or Daลพbog), was represented by a white goat, consequently the Koliada festivals always had a person dressed as a goat, often demanding offerings in the form of presents.
A man-sized goat figure is known from 11th-century remembrances of Childermas, where it was led by a man dressed as Saint Nicholas, symbolizing his control over the Devil.
In Sweden, people believed the Yule goat to be an invisible spirit that would travel from home too home some time before Christmas to make sure that the Yule preparations were done properly.
Small goat figures made out of straw or wood could also be called the Yule goat, and in older times people would play a popular Christmas prank by hiding one of these mini Yule goats in a neighbour's house without them noticing; the family successfully pranked had to get rid of it in the same way.
The function of the Yule goat has changed over time , In a Scandinavian custom similar to the English tradition of wassailing (singing Christmas carol's), held at either Christmas or Epiphany, young men in costumes would walk between houses singing songs, enacting plays and performing pranks. This tradition is known from the 17th century and still continues in certain areas.
The group of Christmas characters would often include the Yule goat, a rowdy and sometimes scary creature demanding gifts...
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Ever wish you could trick or treat in December? If you live in Scandinavia you can,kind of..
Norway Julebukk -Julbok - Julebukking is basically a Christmas version of trick-or-treating the tradition dates back centuries.
During Julebukk people dress up as goats, trolls, or other mythical creatures to sing and perform for their audiences. And gain rewards ( candy or other sweets). The old notes version of this was a man dressed in goat skins caring a goat heat and crashing other people's party's...today's version is much nicer.
The origins of Julebukk can be traced back to pre-Christian times, when goats were associated with the Norse god Thor and were thought to have magical powers. The tradition was also a way to celebrate the winter solstice and a way to engage and wish good luck and happiness to the community.
Today, Julebukking tradition is still popular in Norway, and many families and communities participate in the practice during the Christmas season. The performances typically involve singing, dancing, and storytelling, and often include traditional Christmas songs and folktales. The Julebukk costumes can be elaborate and creative, with participants dressing up in goat masks, horns, and other goat-like attire... Sometimes the people visited are supposed to join in the singing as they visit the next house, though this is optional...
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Yule Goat and Santa...
During the 1800's the Yule goat's became more like a Scandinavia Santa, bringing presents on Christmas.
Usually one of the men in the family would dressing up as the Yule goat. (Modern day celebration Still dose this but as Santa)
Another old Norse version of Santa was the all father(Odin) riding around on his multi legged horse leaving gifts for good kids, this also ties into the wild hunt.
The goat was eventually replaced by the jultomte (Sweden) or julenisse (Norway) during the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, although he is still called the Joulupukki (Yule goat) in Finland, and the tradition of the man-sized goat is no longer used now .
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Swedish Yule Goat celebration..
This modern version of the Yule goat figure is a decorative goat made out of straw and usually bound with red ribbons, a popular Christmas ornament often found under or on the Christmas tree or larger visions used as laws decor for the holidays.
Large versions of this ornament are frequently erected in towns and cities around Christmas time; a tradition started with the Gรคvle goat in 1966.
Though people often try to damage or burn it prevent this the ornament is often guarded. This has resulted in more creative attempts to burn it down.
The town has tried lots of different ways to protect their goat. They’ve had guards stationed, security cameras put up and fences raised. And the goat itself has been sprayed with water and flameproof chemicals. Some years the goat even survives the whole holiday season! But most years … it doesn’t.
In 2005, a group dressed as Santa and gingerbread men fired flaming arrows into the goat. Hackers in 2009 disabled the security cameras and set the goat on fire. An American tourist was arrested for burning down the goat in 2001. He said he’d been told by his Swedish friends that burning the goat was OK. He ended up spending two weeks in jail.
And several other attempts, unfortunately trying to destroy it had become somewhat of a Tridition as well..
๐Merry Christmas ๐
And Happy New Year
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