The custom of burning the Yule Log may goes back to, and before, medieval times. Although the first recorded burning of a 'Christmas Log' was in poetry in 1648. The term 'Yule Log' is first documented in 1686. It seems to have originally been a Nordic tradition. Yule is the name of the old Winter Solstice festivals in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe, such as Germany.
Yule Logs could have started out an entire tree, or very large log, that was carefully chosen and brought into the house with great ceremony. The largest end of the log would be placed into the fire hearth while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room! The log would be lit from the remains of the previous year's log which had been carefully stored away and slowly fed into the fire through the Twelve Days of Christmas. A smaller log might have been lit each evening through the 12 Days of Christmas. It was considered important that the re-lighting process was carried out by someone with clean hands. Nowadays, of course, most people have central heating so it is very difficult to burn a tree!
The ashes of Yule logs were meant to be very good for plants. This is true, because the ash from burnt wood contains a lot of 'potash', which helps plant flowers. But if you throw the ashes out on Christmas day it was supposedly very unlucky!
Yule Logs and Christmas Fires in Different Countries
In Provence (in France), it is traditional that the whole family helps to cut the log down and that a little bit is burnt each night. If any of the log is left after Twelfth Night, it is kept safe in the house until the next Christmas to protect against lightning! In some parts of The Netherlands, this was also done, but the log had to be stored under a bed! In some eastern European countries, the log was cut down on Christmas Eve morning and lit that evening.
In Cornwall (in the UK), the log is called 'The Mock'. The log is dried out and then the bark is taken off it before it comes into the house to be burnt. Also in the UK, barrel makers (or Coopers as barrel makers were traditionally called) gave their customers old logs that they could not use for making barrels for Yule logs. (My surname is Cooper, but I don't make barrels! My Great Grandfather did own a walking stick factory though!)
There are customs of 'Yule Logs' all over Europe and different kinds of wood are used in different countries. In England, Oak is traditional; in Scotland, it is Birch; while in France, it's Cherry. Also, in France, the log is sprinkled with wine, before it is burnt, so that it smells nice when it is lit.
In Serbia, Croatia and North Montenegro, a large log called the Banjak is burnt on Christmas Eve. They are sometimes burnt on bonfires outside churches before the Christmas Eve service.
In Devon and Somerset in the UK, some people have a very large bunch of Ash twigs instead of the log. This comes from a local legend that Joseph, Mary and Jesus were very cold when the shepherds found them on Christmas Night. So the shepherds got some bunches of twigs to burn to keep them warm.
In some parts of Ireland, people have a large candle instead of a log and this is only lit on New Year's Eve and Twelfth Night.
Adding Color to Yule Logs
Different chemicals can be sprinkled on the log like wine to make the log burn with different colored flames!
- Potassium Nitrate = Violet
- Barium Nitrate = Apple Green
- Borax = Vivid Green
- Copper Sulphate = Blue
- Table Salt = Bright Yellow
This sounds very dangerous, so please only try this out with some adult supervision!!
Edible Yule Logs
A Chocolate Yule Log or 'Bûche de Noël' is now a popular Christmas dessert or pudding. It's traditionally eaten in France and Belgium, where they are known as 'Kerststronk' in Flemish.
They are made of a chocolate sponge roll layered with cream. The outside is covered with chocolate or chocolate icing and decorated to look like a bark-covered log. Some people like to add extra decorations such as marzipan mushrooms!
FAQs
The custom of burning the Yule Log may goes back to, and before, medieval times. Although the first recorded burning of a 'Christmas Log' was in poetry in 1648. The term 'Yule Log' is first documented in 1686.
What is the historical origin of Yule logs? ›
The burning of a special log in a fireplace for luck and fortune has been a holiday tradition long before the arrival of Christianity in Europe. As are most holiday traditions, the origins of the Yule log are believed to have stemmed from Germanic or Scandinavian paganism.
What is the significance of a Yule log at Christmas? ›
In the heart of medieval Europe, the Yule log played a role in both pagan and Christian beliefs. Celts believed that as the sun seemingly stood still during the twelve days at the end of December, keeping the Yule log aflame would persuade the sun to move again, lengthening the days and heralding the return of spring.
What is the truth about the Yule log? ›
The idea of burning a yule log during the winter solstice is believed to date all the way back to early Germanic or Scandinavian paganism. The log was burned on the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day the year, when ancient peoples would worry that the light may cease to exist.
Is the Yule Log a pagan tradition? ›
The burning of a Yule log is a beloved Christmas tradition today, but its origins trace back to ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.
Who started Yule and why? ›
Its roots are complicated and difficult to trace, although there are several theories about how and why the festival was celebrated. It is generally agreed that Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol, although assessments of the purpose and traditions vary.
Is the Yule tree pagan? ›
The Yule Log
Historians believe the tradition was derived from pagan worship rites, representations of health and fertility, rituals asking for blessings and protection, festivals celebrating the winter solstice, or was simply for decoration and practical use.
What is the difference between a Yule log and a Swiss roll? ›
Is this the same as a swiss roll? The main difference between the two cakes is the way the cakes are decorated. The Yule log cake, or buche de noel, is made to look like the logs burned on Christmas eve, whereas the exterior of a swiss roll is decorated much more simply, such as with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
What are the pagan candles for the Yule log? ›
Yule log traditions often involve burning candles in the log. If you choose to burn candles in your log, consider using beeswax candles. Beeswax candles have a natural honey scent and are free from harmful chemicals.
What is the blessing of the Yule log? ›
During the blessing of the log, wine is poured on the fire to ward off spirits and to protect the house from “ghosties and ghaisties and things that go boomp in the night.” Then each guest throws their sprig into the fire to symbolize the banishing of last year's woes.
Interestingly, the Yule log was originally an entire tree! Families would bring the trunk of the Yule tree inside and stick the big end of it into the fireplace. The log would feed the fire through the 12 Days of Christmas (from Christmas Day through the evening of the 5th of January—known as Twelfth Night).
Why did Vikings burn a Yule log? ›
The Yule log was a long oak tree carved with runes (early norse/germanic letters) to wish for the protection of the gods and burned for the duration of the celebration. To let it go out was said to be a dark omen and a sign of bad luck to come. The Vikings would save a piece of the log for next year's fire.
What is the benefits of the Yule log? ›
Families would burn huge logs decorated with holly, pinecones or ivy over the twelve days of Christmas. Wine and salt were also often used to anoint the logs. Once burned, the remaining log was kept for the next year, and the log's ashes were valuable treasures said to have medicinal benefits and to guard against evil.
What was the original purpose of the Yule log? ›
The practice of burning a log, thought to be Germanic in origin, was an ancient symbol of winter and a celebration of Winter Solstice, giving magical protection to the home and those who lived there.
Is the Yule log a French tradition? ›
Christmas log) yule log cake is a tradition in France, and not only in Christian homes. The history of this custom dates from a very long time ago with pagan rituals.
Which came first, Yule or Christmas? ›
Yule log cakes represent the traditional Pagan Yule log. Though commonly linked with Christmas, the celebration of Yule can be traced much further back. Yule became a name for Christmas in the 9th century.
What is the ancient history of Yule? ›
Viking Yule: In the Nordic lands, Yule (or “Jól”) was a significant winter festival. Vikings celebrated with feasts, boasting, and toasts to the gods, particularly Odin, who was associated with Yule. The Yule log tradition originated here, symbolizing warmth and light in the darkest time of the year.
Is the Yule log Norse? ›
The tale of the Christmas Yule log was born in the faraway lands of Norway. Deriving from the Norse word, “Hweol,” meaning wheel, the Norse people would use the Yule log to celebrate the sun's return during the winter solstice.
What nationality is Yule log? ›
A Yule log or bûche de Noël (French pronunciation: [byʃ də nɔɛl]) is a traditional Christmas cake, often served as a dessert, especially in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Lebanon, Switzerland, Vietnam, and Quebec, Canada.
