The History of St Lucia's Day

St Lucia’s Day is December 13th. It is celebrated in a number of countries, but today is specifically about the Swedish celebration. You may have seen a picture of a beautiful blond girl, dressed in a white dress with a red sash and a wreath on her head with burning candles? That is St Lucia, as celebrated in Sweden or countries influenced by Sweden.
But the origin of the story is in Italy. In 304 CE, the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered a persecution of Christians. That much is history. St Lucia is one of the martyrs, and her particular story is historically sketchy. But true or not, she became the patron saint of light and vision and she was celebrated on the winter solstice, which was December 13th at the time.
The Swedes were not yet Christian, but they had their own traditions surrounding the winter solstice. When Christianity did arrive, those traditions blended beautifully with the celebration of St Lucia.
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Feature image is by Claudia Gründer - Claudia Gründer, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3221537
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St Lucia’s Day is December 13th. It is celebrated in a number of countries, but today is specifically about the Swedish celebration. You may have seen a picture of a beautiful blond girl, dressed in a white dress with a red sash and a wreath on her head with burning candles? That is St Lucia, as celebrated in Sweden or countries influenced by Sweden.

But the origin of the story is in Italy. In 304 CE, the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered a persecution of Christians. That much is history. St Lucia is one of the martyrs, and her particular story is historically sketchy. But true or not, she became the patron saint of light and vision and she was celebrated on the winter solstice, which was December 13th at the time.

The Swedes were not yet Christian, but they had their own traditions surrounding the winter solstice. When Christianity did arrive, those traditions blended beautifully with the celebration of St Lucia.

Visit the website (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

Support the show on my Patreon page for bonus episodes, polls, and a general feeling of self-satisfaction. Or make a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee.

Join Into History (intohistory.com/herhalfofhistory/) for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

Visit Evergreen Podcasts to listen to more great shows.

Follow me on Twitter (X) as @her_half. Or on Facebook or Instagram as Her Half of History.

Feature image is by Claudia Gründer - Claudia Gründer, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3221537

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices