St Lucia's day

St Lucia’s day

In Sweden we celebrate St Lucia’s Day. St Lucia is always on December 13th. There are many versions about why we celebrate it and how it began. The most of the versions tell us that it was about a Christian girl from Sicily named Lucia.

We are lightning candles during Lucia in an honouring memory of the girl Saint Lucia, the meaning of her name is light and she was the queen of lights. When she took the first step into a room the whole room was lit up. When we celebrate Lucia we have a Lucia procession where the Lucia walks first and her maids are right behind her.

The Lucia is wearing a long, white dress, a red wide string around her waist and a crown with candles on her head. Her maids are also wearing a white, long dress but instead of a red string they have tinsels in their hair and the candles in their hands. The Lucia is also holding her palms together when she walks.

Lucia was born in a rich family on Syrakusa in Sicilia. Her father died when she was a few years, so she was raised by her mother, Eutychia. Some stories tell that she, as a child, gave a chastity vow. When Caesar Diocletianus tried to kill her she wouldn’t die. He pored hot oil on her and cut a sword in her neck, but she didn’t die. Then someone did “the last lubrication” on her, and she died.

/Ellen, Josse and Allis