{"id":3763,"date":"2023-12-13T13:00:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T13:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/?p=3763"},"modified":"2023-12-06T15:07:04","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T15:07:04","slug":"luciadagen-santa-lucia-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2023\/12\/13\/luciadagen-santa-lucia-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Luciadagen (Santa Lucia Day)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luciadagen (Santa Lucia Day)<\/strong><\/h1>\n

History<\/h2>\n

On 13th<\/sup> December Scandinavians commemorate Luciadagen<\/a> the so-called \u201cFestival of Lights\u201d celebrating Santa Lucia<\/a>. This stems from the fourth-century martyrdom of the Italian Saint Lucia and is an important winter celebration in Scandinavian countries. In earlier centuries the Norse celebrated the winter solstice, but after converting to Christianity sometime around 1000 AD, they incorporated the legend of Santa Lucia into their celebrations. Having long, dark winters with areas above the Arctic Circle not seeing the sun for up to 2 months, may have influenced them to commemorate a saint associated with light. The modern festival combines elements of both pagan and Christian traditions.<\/p>\n

It is believed that Lucia took food and water to Christians hiding in the catacombs of Rome to avoid persecution from the Romans who worshipped pagan gods. Being underground the catacombs were dark. Unable to carry the supplies and a lantern, legend has it that Lucia designed a version of a headlamp, wearing a wreath of candles on her head to light her way. She was killed by in 304 AD after refusing to give up her vow of chastity and marry a pagan.<\/p>\n

Celebrations Today<\/h2>\n

Nowadays on December 13th<\/sup> towns in Scandinavia mark the day with a procession<\/a> of children, dressed in white tunics with lit candle wreaths on their heads to symbolise Lucia\u2019s headlamp. Younger children tend to wear imitation candles or tinsel. As the procession progresses, the song Santa Lucia<\/a> is sung along with traditional songs. The procession will be led by a girl who has been chosen to be the town\u2019s Santa Lucia. The festival is meant to bring hope and light at the darkest time of the year. At home, families observe the festival by having one of their daughters (usually the eldest) dress in white and serve lussekattar<\/a> (saffron bread) and coffee to symbolize Lucia bringing food and water to those in hiding.<\/p>\n

With strong Nordic connections, it\u2019s not surprising that Orkney has adopted the tradition, incorporating a Santa Lucia or St. Lucy (the English version) procession into the Kirkwall \u00a0Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.<\/a><\/p>\n

We wish all our Scandinavian staff and students a happy Luciadagen and you can use Library Search to learn\u00a0more about traditions, festivals and saints.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not forget our Italian staff and students because although the modern-day celebration of Santa Lucia is generally associated with Scandinavian countries. It is also observed in some parts of Italy, Lucia\u2019s homeland. The feast is a Catholic celebrated holiday with roots that can be traced back to Sicily. St. Lucia is the patron saint of the Sicilian city of Syracuse.<\/p>\n

Learn more about this using librarysearch.napier.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Read more about Christmas traditions on out blog with the article: Spanish New Year<\/a><\/p>\n

By Vivienne Hamilton<\/p>\n

Photo by Photo by Dimitri Karastelev<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Luciadagen (Santa Lucia Day) History On 13th December Scandinavians commemorate Luciadagen the so-called \u201cFestival of Lights\u201d celebrating Santa Lucia. This stems from the fourth-century martyrdom of the Italian Saint Lucia and is an important winter celebration in Scandinavian countries. In earlier centuries the Norse celebrated the winter solstice, but after converting to Christianity sometime around […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":3765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[350,240],"tags":[880,883,879,884,881,882,886,885],"class_list":["post-3763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrations","category-christmas","tag-christian-traditions","tag-lighting-ceremony","tag-luciadagen","tag-nordic","tag-orkney","tag-santa-lucia","tag-santa-lucia-day","tag-scandinavia","post-preview"],"yoast_head":"\nLuciadagen (Santa Lucia Day) - The Library Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wonderful article on Luciadagen (Santa Lucia Day) for Edinburgh Napier Library Blog. 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We\u2019ve also gave a bit\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "History"","block_context":{"text":"History","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/category\/history\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Christmas in historical Edinburgh","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/12\/2414676-1-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/12\/2414676-1-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/12\/2414676-1-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/12\/2414676-1-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3633,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2025\/10\/31\/a-history-of-halloween\/","url_meta":{"origin":3763,"position":1},"title":"A History of Halloween","author":"julietkinsey","date":"31\/10\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A History of Halloween Are you sitting comfortably? If so, let me begin with a fascinating history of Halloween. People trace the origins of Halloween back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated around 2,000 years ago. This festival marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Celebrations"","block_context":{"text":"Celebrations","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/category\/celebrations\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"picture of carved pumpkins for post A History of Halloween","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2023\/10\/david-menidrey-MYRG0ptGh50-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2023\/10\/david-menidrey-MYRG0ptGh50-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2023\/10\/david-menidrey-MYRG0ptGh50-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4491,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2025\/03\/17\/st-patricks-day-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":3763,"position":2},"title":"St. Patrick\u2019s Day","author":"mayagreen","date":"17\/03\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"St. Patrick\u2019s Day The 17th of March marks the Feast of St. Patrick. A day traditionally dedicated to celebrating the Christian Saint Patrick. But which has grown and developed into a celebration of Irish heritage and culture as a whole. Saint Patrick Although many specifics of his life have been\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Celebrations"","block_context":{"text":"Celebrations","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/category\/celebrations\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"St Patrick's Day","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/03\/erika-sz-xZqHLAd-r-s-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C911&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/03\/erika-sz-xZqHLAd-r-s-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C911&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/03\/erika-sz-xZqHLAd-r-s-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C911&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1819,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2024\/12\/20\/spanish-christmas-traditions\/","url_meta":{"origin":3763,"position":3},"title":"Spanish Christmas Traditions","author":"julietkinsey","date":"20\/12\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A Spanish-style Traditional Christmas\u00a0 Christmas in Spain is not so very different from Christmas elsewhere, but there are one or two traditions that may sound slightly exotic to Scottish ears, and I\u2019ll set them out here. First of all, our festive period is longer, running from the 22nd of December\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Christmas\"","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/tag\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Spanish Christmas traditions. Image ofChristmas Decorations Hanging","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2021\/12\/christmas-market-550323_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2021\/12\/christmas-market-550323_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2021\/12\/christmas-market-550323_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2021\/12\/christmas-market-550323_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2021\/12\/christmas-market-550323_1280.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4953,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2025\/12\/21\/winter-solstice-how-different-cultures-celebrate-the-longest-night\/","url_meta":{"origin":3763,"position":4},"title":"Winter Solstice: How Different Cultures Celebrate the Longest Night","author":"julietkinsey","date":"21\/12\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Winter Solstice: How Different Cultures Celebrate the Longest Night The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It usually falls around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. For thousands of years, people have celebrated this turning point when\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Celebration Week"","block_context":{"text":"Celebration Week","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/category\/celebration-week\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Winter Solstice Around the World: Celebrating the Longest Night","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/11\/Untitled1.png?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/11\/Untitled1.png?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/11\/Untitled1.png?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/11\/Untitled1.png?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2025\/11\/Untitled1.png?fit=1200%2C805&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3845,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2024\/02\/14\/a-history-of-valentines-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":3763,"position":5},"title":"A History of Valentine’s Day","author":"julietkinsey","date":"14\/02\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A History of Valentine's Day \u200dLove, Legends, and Lupercalia: A Fascinating Journey through the History of Valentine's Day \u200d Valentine's Day, a day filled with love, romance, and heartfelt gestures. But have you ever wondered about the origins and true history of this beloved holiday? Origins of Valentine's Day: Lupercalia\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Celebrations"","block_context":{"text":"Celebrations","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/category\/celebrations\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Picture of scrabble squares saying love for blog post A History of Valentine's Day","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2024\/01\/love-3061483_640.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2024\/01\/love-3061483_640.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2024\/01\/love-3061483_640.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pd3KWU-YH","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3763"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3768,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3763\/revisions\/3768"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}