What are Saturnalia and Yule, and what do they have to do with Christmas?

7 min readDec 20, 2023

People worldwide celebrate the season with traditions that bring light to the darkest days. The winter solstice, a turning point in the year, has inspired celebrations rich in history and meaning. From the fiery Yule logs of Nordic traditions to Christmas gatherings filled with carols and lights, and the hopeful glow of Hanukkah candles, these customs reflect a shared desire to bring warmth and light to winter’s cold embrace.

Long before Christmas, holidays like Yule and Saturnalia marked this season with joyous festivities. Yule, rooted in Norse and Germanic traditions, celebrated the sun’s return during the solstice. Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival, honored Saturn, the god of abundance and freedom, with feasting and revelry. These traditions have influenced many of the ways we celebrate today.

When we hang holly, light candles, or share gifts, we connect to these ancient celebrations, continuing a timeless tradition of finding joy and light during winter. Read on to explore how Yule and Saturnalia shaped modern Christmas celebrations.

Yule:

Origins: Yule is a festival with Norse and Germanic pagan roots. Celebrations have been practiced by various Germanic tribes and later adopted by the Vikings. Its dates are debated among scholars, but most believe it was during our month of January, in Midwinter, about a month after the solstice. According to Andreas Nordberg, “Yule was celebrated on the full moon of the second Yule month in the Early Germanic calendar (the month that started on the first new moon after the winter solstice), which could range from 5 January to 2 February in the Gregorian calendar.”

Today, however, it marks the winter solstice, usually falling between December 20 and 23 in the Northern Hemisphere. During the reign of King Haakon Haraldsson of Norway in the 10th century, the Norse Yule celebration and Christian Christmas celebrations were merged. King Haakon became Christian after visiting England and then enacted a law in Norway that required the celebration of Yule to occur at the same time as Christmas.

Duration: Yule celebrations traditionally span twelve days, representing the twelve nights of the winter solstice, now known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. This period was considered a time outside of ordinary time, with the final night, known as Twelfth Night, holding special significance.

Symbolism:

Yule celebrates the sun's rebirth as the days start to lengthen after the winter solstice.
The Yule log, often an oak or ash log, is a central symbol. It is burned to represent the returning light and warmth of the sun.
The Yule Goat, often made of straw and burned, is also a central symbol and is considered to be Santa Claus's companion.
And, of course, Odin, the Norse god many believe is the original idea of Santa Claus. Yule was when Odin had his Wild Hunt and rode his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, across the heavens.

Traditions:

Feasting and Wassailing: Yule festivities involve feasting, with foods such as roast meats, nuts, and fruits. Wassailing, a practice of toasting to the health of apple trees, is also part of Yule celebrations.
Evergreen Decorations: Evergreen plants, like holly and ivy, are used as decorations to symbolize life during winter. The Yule tree, a precursor to the modern Christmas tree, is adorned with ornaments and candles.
Gift Giving: Small gifts were exchanged to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year. Though little is recorded about what was given.
Animal Sacrifice/Offering: In ancient times, a symbolic ritual unfolded where a chosen farm animal was offered in reverence to the gods, its presence proudly displayed in front of homes to signify the honored creatures. The sacred act extended beyond mere acknowledgment; the animals’ essence was further celebrated as their blood, sanctified by magical twigs, was delicately sprinkled upon altars, walls, and participants. The ceremonial journey reached its culmination as the sacrifice found its place over the hearth’s fire, its aromatic tendrils embracing the hall, creating a communal feast that mirrored the spiritual connection between the earthly and the divine.

Saturnalia:

Origins: Io Saturnalia! Saturnalia was a Roman festival dedicated to the god, Saturn. Saturn, revered as an agricultural deity, was believed to have presided over the Golden Age — a time when humanity basked in the unbidden abundance of the earth, experiencing a state of innocence without the need for toil. The festival originated around the 5th century BCE and was initially celebrated for a single day but later expanded to a week-long event during the Roman Republic.

In Europe, as Christianity's influence expanded, the lively Saturnalia festivities were prohibited and replaced by a more tranquil celebration of Jesus’ birth. However, in the Middle Ages, many Western European Christians continued to observe traditional Saturnalia practices alongside their Christmas festivities despite the bans. That is, of course, until Christmas celebrations were also banned because they were too similar to Saturnalia, only to be renewed again in the late medieval period.

Duration: Originally observed on December 17, Saturnalia was later extended to run from December 17 to December 23, according to the Julian calendar. It was a time of revelry and merriment, characterized by a suspension of social norms. It was a time when the rules of society were turned on its head.

Symbolism: Saturnalia marked the winter solstice and was associated with the agricultural god Saturn. It symbolized the renewal of light and the coming of a new agricultural season — a time of abundance and renewal.

Traditions:

Role Reversals: One of the distinctive features of Saturnalia was the temporary reversal of social roles. Masters served their slaves, and a mock king, the Saturnalicius princeps, was chosen to preside over the festivities. People wore masks and mocked their masters. This was all okay since it was only for a few days.
Feasting and Merriment: Saturnalia was a time of feasting, with elaborate banquets, gift-giving, and general merrymaking. Gambling and games of chance were also common during this festival.
Candle Lighting: The people of Rome gave gifts of candles and lit them to signify the return of the sun.
Gift Giving: Romans gave each other candles, toys for children, food, and particularly enjoyed gag gifts.
Gambling: Since this was a time when slaves were free, they often gambled and enjoyed games that they usually couldn’t.

Comparison:

Timing:

Yule and Saturnalia both coincide with the winter solstice, emphasizing the theme of the return of light and the lengthening of days.

Symbols:

Both festivals use evergreen plants as symbols of life and renewal during winter. The use of evergreens, such as Christmas trees and wreaths, dates back to ancient times when they were believed to represent eternal life and hope during the cold winter months.

Social Customs:

While both festivals involve feasting and merrymaking, Saturnalia is particularly known for its temporary social upheaval, role reversals, and inversion of societal norms.

Religious Significance:

Yule, with its pagan origins deeply embedded in Germanic and Norse traditions, and Saturnalia, intimately tied to Roman mythology and the god Saturn, are ancestral festivities echoing the spiritual essence of the winter solstice. Yule honors the sun’s return, while Saturnalia celebrates Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture and abundance. These ancient festivities have left their mark on modern Christmas traditions. From the glow of festive lights to the warmth of Yule logs and the exchange of gifts, we continue a timeless celebration of light’s rebirth, embracing hope and renewal during winter’s darkest days.

Modern Influence:

Some of the traditions of both Yule and Saturnalia have influenced modern Christmas celebrations, including the use of evergreens, feasting, and the exchange of gifts.

Now, let’s take a look at trees.

While both Saturnalia and Yule have traditions involving trees, the specific practices and symbolism associated with trees in these festivals differ. Let’s explore the use of trees in Saturnalia and Yule:

Yule Tree:

The Yule tree is a central symbol in Germanic and Norse Yule celebrations. It predates the modern Christmas tree and holds deep pagan roots.
The Yule tree is often an evergreen, such as pine, fir, or spruce, symbolizing life and continuity during the winter months.
Decorations on the Yule tree include items like ornaments, candles, and symbols representing the sun and moon.
Another significant element is the Yule log, which is burned in a ceremony to symbolize the return of the sun’s warmth.

Saturnalia, Greenery Decorations:

Saturnalia is not explicitly associated with a decorated tree, but rather with greenery like holly and ivy.
Romans would decorate their homes with garlands of greenery, often intertwined with lights or candles, to symbolize life and hope during the winter solstice.
The use of greenery aligns with the general theme of celebrating the return of light and the anticipation of a new agricultural season.

Comparisons:

Symbolism of Evergreens:

Both festivals utilize evergreen plants, such as pine and holly, as symbols of life, endurance, and the promise of renewal during winter.
The choice of evergreens reflects the idea that life persists even in the dormant winter season.

Yule Tree vs. Decorative Greenery:

In Germanic and Norse traditions, the Yule tree is more elaborate and distinct, serving as a focal point for decorations and ceremonies.
In Saturnalia, the emphasis is on using greenery as decorations rather than a dedicated decorated tree.

Specific Decorations:

Yule tree decorations often include specific symbols tied to Norse and pagan traditions, such as runes, sun and moon symbols, and representations of the natural elements.
Saturnalia greenery decorations may include elements like lights and candles, symbolizing the return of the sun’s light.

Ceremonial Burning:

A prominent aspect of Yule is the ceremonial burning of a large log to symbolize the sun’s return, a feature not present in Saturnalia.

Wrapping up 🎁

Winter solstice traditions have shaped many of the ways we celebrate Christmas today. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia was a joyful festival with feasting, gift-giving, and celebration in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. We can still see its influence in holiday gatherings and the tradition of exchanging gifts. Meanwhile, Yule, rooted in Germanic and Norse cultures, marked the solstice as a time of renewal and the sun’s return. Traditions like the Yule log and evergreen decorations, symbols of hope and lasting life, have become part of Christmas celebrations.

These ancient festivals remind us of what we still cherish: renewal, light in the darkness, and the simple joy of coming together during winter’s coldest days.

How do you celebrate?