Medieval Life 104 – Part 3 – History of Christmas Through the Ages
Saturnalia and Winter Solstice Festivals
Part 3
The Roman celebration Saturnalia was observed from Dec 17-24. This celebrated Saturn’s triumph over Jupiter. Apparently Saturn’s reign had heralded the Golden Age in Rome. Saturn later lost out to Jupiter. It was believed that during Saturnalia, Saturn, the god of agriculture, would return to relive the Golden Age for a brief time.
During this celebration there was much feasting, dancing, gambling, and candles were used to scare away the darkness and celebrate the sun and light. Gifts were given to honour the goddess of vegetation, Strenia (associated with the harvest).
During the Saturnalia, Romans lit candles to convince the sun to shine again to ward off evil. Holly was thought to be magical because of its shiny leaves and its ability to bear fruit in winter. The ancient people considered Holly sacred. It was a popular gift during Saturnalia among the Romans.
During the Saturnalia trees were hung with decorations. This custom became part of Christmas during the Middle Ages.
The Saturnalia was followed by the calends of January (Jan 1-3) where they had more parties.
Winter Solstice and Christmas
The winter solstice festivals were very important in the cultures of pre-Christian Europe and Asia. Since these pagan festivals and rituals were very popular, the Church realized it would be better to still allow them to celebrate but there would be revisions to honour Christ. Some of the retained elements of these celebrations to this day are greenery, candles, singing, tree decorating, Yule logs and feasting.
The word “carol” comes from the Greek word Choraulein ( Chorus, the dance, aulein to play the flute ) and refers to a dance accompanied by the playing of flute. Such dancing, was very popular in ancient times among the Greek and Roman people.
Emperor Aurelian, in the 3rd century, declared December 25th “Dies Invictis Solis” (The Day of the Invincible Sun). The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god; Sol, the god of Emperor Aurelian (AD 270–274); and Mithras, a soldiers’ god of Persian origin.
The reason December 25th was chosen as Christ’s Birth, was a remnant of the Mithriac religion, a major religion of the Roman era. Mithra, the god of light and wisdom was said to have been born from a rock on Decemeber 25th. Mithra’s birth, was a big part of the solstice festivals since Mithra symbolized the sun.
The incorporation of the Mirthraic or solstice rites into the celebration of Christmas was not that difficult. The Christ Child represented hope and light, as the sun did before. The birth of Christ replaced the birth of the sun.
End of Part 3
Read Next Part 4
Read Part 1
Lady Sharon,
Scribe of the Knights of the Pain Table
Read Medieval Lesson Christmas Celebrations in the Middle Ages
Comments