Odin, Thor, Loke and the rest of the Nordic Gods, fought, feasted and fornicated to their hearts content; and as you can imagine were happy role models for our ancestors the Vikings. So you can imagine that they weren’t all too impressed, when the first Missionaries came preaching restraint, abstinence and quiet reflection. We see evidence of this lack of enthusiasm still today as Christmas approaches. In Scandinavia, Christmas is called Jul, which you pronounce yool.
So now you can perhaps guess, where the expression Yuletide is derived? The term Jul is itself a derivative of the ancient Viking word Jól, which was nothing less than one long extended mid-winter party, with excessive eating, drinking and by all counts whoring.
So whilst the early missionaries managed to change Jul to Christmas and the cross replaced Thors Hammer Pendant, throughout Europe, the stubborn Scandinavians were not prepared to give up their winter solstice party. That’s why the Vikings hated Christmas and why we still today celebrate Jul.
If you are a viking at heart and can’t convince the misses that a viking ship is the perfect gift, maybe a set of Gold Horns for the family christmas tree will sooth your longing. Otherwise check our Warrior Collection - it’s pretty much your wish list in one place.
Photo by Jacob Surland.
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