1/5/2024 0 Comments Lo saturnalia translation![]() ![]() These were often shaped like suns, moons, children (as a sign of fertility), or animals. Images of the double-faced god, Janus, were also popular, as were gold and silver-coloured orbs, much like today.įood, in particular cookies and shaped biscuits, were also used to decorate trees. Many of the ornaments decorating Saturnalia trees were in the shapes of stars or suns. They also did not chop down the trees and place them in their homes that came from the Germans during the Renaissance and has been attributed to Martin Luther.īecause the winter solstice was about the rebirth of the sun, the sun god Sol Invictus got his share of attention as well. While the Norsemen used evergreens, as they were viewed as a symbol of eternal life, the Romans used just about any tree that was growing where they lived. Modern ornaments of suns and stars, not unlike those that adorned the Roman Saturnalia treesThe modern Christmas tree has origins in both Norse and Roman traditions. In the end, both Augustus and Caligula were obliged to yield to the will of the people. Because Saturnalia was so universally popular, neither of these attempts met with any sort of success. Even the notorious 'party animal', Caligula, tried to reduce the celebrations to three days. The rather stoic Augustus attempted to have Saturnalia reduced to a single day. Not all emperors were as enthusiastic about the 'week of mischief'. It is most likely that, while servants did have their own formal banquet with the masters serving them, the food was already prepared. The extent of this varied from house to house. Roles were also famously reversed, with slaves becoming masters, and their masters having to serve them. It could mean just about anything, and was often shouted by revellers in the midst of committing acts of naughtiness.ĭuring Saturnalia, courts were suspended, as were many laws. The first word was pronounced either 'eye-oh' or 'yo', with both being deemed technically correct (potato, potatoe.). Much like "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", the Romans had their own greeting for the season. Io, Saturnalia! And a World Turned Upside Down Fertility rituals and sacrifices were made, after which either the emperor or consuls would turn to the crowd and shout, "Io, Saturnalia!" The celebrations could now begin. The feet of the statue of Saturn were wrapped in woollen strips, which were removed for the festival. ![]() Much of the public was also gathered around to watch and wait for the commencement of festivities. The emperor, consuls, prominent senators, as well as members of the nobility would be in attendance. Just kidding! Or maybe not."Saturnalia began on 17 December at the Temple of Saturn on Capitoline Hill. ![]() Or at least, I used to be, until you all became GODLESS HEATHENS. Albeit, most of the religious aspects were only observed on the first day. Like other holidays and festivals, at its core, Saturnalia was a religious observance. Its exact date of origin is unknown, though references to the holiday are made as early as the 4th century B.C. Described by the Latin poet, Catullus, as "the best of days", it was the most popular holiday of the Roman calendar, attested by the fact that many of its traditions still survive to this day. Most Roman holidays were never confined to a single day, and Saturnalia was a week-long celebration, lasting from the 17th to either the 23rd or 24th of December. The fact is, the Romans loved festivals, and 'officially', Saturnalia commemorated the winter solstice, as well as honouring Saturn, the god of agriculture, wealth, and liberation. From tree decorations, wreaths, ornaments, boughs of holly, carolling (albeit with more clothes and less rude songs these days), gift-giving, and even gingerbread men, most of what we identify as 'Christmas' has roots going back thousands of years. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, whatever your 'Reason for the Season', most of the December holiday traditions that we celebrate today can be traced back to the Ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia (with a healthy dose of inspiration also coming via the Vikings).
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