Category: Scandinavian

Yuletide: The Viking Origins of Santa Claus

Published December 9, 2006 in British, CULTURES, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS, Christmas Traditions, Death, German, HOLIDAYS, Lanterns and Lights, Norwegian, Scandinavian, Viking, Winter | Comments [0]
The word “yuletide,” referring to the Christmas season, was passed to the British through the Vikings. The word originated with the Viking god Odin, whose persona associated with the month of December was Jul, and the month of December was called “Jultid.” The Vikings believed that Odin would come to earth during the [...] Read More »