written by Diana Holmström
The blend of pagan and Christian traditions is especially fascinating in Northern Europe, where Christmas still carries echoes of ancient rituals. Take Finland, for instance. Here, Santa Claus is known as Joulupukki, which literally means “Yule Goat”—a direct translation of the Swedish Julbock. Possibly this name goes way back to Germanic and Norse mythology, where the goat symbolized strength and fertility and was closely tied to the god Thor, who, as legend has it, rode a chariot pulled by goats.
These days, Joulupukki looks a lot like Santa Claus, but back in the 19th century, his vibe was completely different. People would dress up in birch bark masks with horns and go door to door, handing out gifts to well-behaved kids—and playfully “punishing” the naughty ones. It was all part of a ritualistic performance full of symbolism and a touch of mischief. Here we can se some connection with Krampus figure, however there is no strong historical evidence for this connection.
In Northern Europe, Christmas is still celebrated over 13 days, ending with what’s called the “Thirteenth Day” (or Trettondagen in Swedish). This tradition traces back to Yule, the ancient winter solstice festival celebrated by Germanic and Norse peoples. Yule was all about marking the rebirth of light as the days started to lengthen. It involved feasts, sacrifices, and rituals to ensure prosperity for the coming year and lasted for 13 days.
Some of the Christmas symbols we know today actually have roots in those old Norse pagan traditions such as The Christmas tree. Originally, Norse pagans used evergreen branches as decorations to symbolize eternal life and ward off evil spirits during Yule. The Yule Goat -wasn’t just a quirky decoration made of straw you can buy from IKEA nowadays; it was a symbol of fertility and often played a role in Yule celebrations.
Even the idea of giving gifts has pagan roots. Back then, offerings like animals, grain, or beer were made to the gods to show gratitude and ask for their blessings. In some regions of Finland we still have legends about goat-like monsters, which were roaming around in a Yule time and kidnapped children. To to make them kinder or trick them people gave them presents instead of their children. Over time, that evolved into the modern custom of exchanging presents as a way to show love and generosity.
All in all, Christmas in Northern Europe is an incredible mix of pagan and Christian influences. Even with all the modern commercialization, you can still see the deep cultural and spiritual significance behind the traditions, reminding us of our ancient connection to nature and the changing seasons.