The presence of the Christmas goat may relate back to Tangrisnir and Tanngnjostr, the two goats who in Nordic mythology pulled the god Thor's chariot.
Legend also has it that in pagan times, the last shief of corn from the harvest was thought to have magical powers. It was saved for the Yule celebrations and later became julbocken, the Christmas Goat, who is always made of straw.
Not sure if the last paragraph makes sense, but I guess magical powers can make the Christmas goat materialize from a shief of corn.
These days in Sweden he's usually found under the Christmas tree, making sure all the presents are safe until Christmas Eve when they will be opened.
But he now also appears in much larger, sometimes gigantic versions (not made of straw), in the town squares of many cities in Sweden. Click on the link below for a view.
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/swedish-yule-goat-tradition
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteQuite a handsome addition to the tradition! YAM xx
I like your Christmas goat. Thanks for sharing the story and traditions.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy week ahead, Merry Christmas!
I have never heard of the Christmas Goat before. What a lovely tradition, though its origins may have some terror in them. Your goat is very special.
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