Being Venetian, born and raised in Verona, I can't help but associate this period of the year with the 13th December. A date that will make me think forever of childish enthusiasm, bated breath, going to bed early with the hope of making the morning arrive in the blink of an eye... The next day, in fact, was not just any day: finally the year-long wait ended and I would find the gifts brought in the night by Saint Lucy.
According to the Veronese custom, the Saint would pass from house to house between the 12th and the 13th December, riding a donkey, leaving gifts and sweets for the children; who went to bed leaving offerings and food for her and her mount.
Typically, she is depicted as a blind woman, dressed in white and wearing a crown of candles as a headdress.
The interesting thing is that Saint Lucia is not celebrated only in Veneto, but in various areas of Italy, Croatia, Hungary and even up to Scandinavia - a land that is so distant, both geographically and culturally, from the origins of the celebration.
Lucy (or Lucia, in Italian), in reality, is of Sicilian origin - where she is still celebrated today with long processions, lighting of candles and abstention from the consumption of wheat on December 13th. This tradition has ancient origins, memories of a terrible famine that struck Sicily and, during the day dedicated to the saint, it is said that a ship loaded with wheat appeared on its shores - finally feeding the exhausted population. Hence the figure of Saint Lucy as the bearer of gifts… At least, according to the Catholic Church.
Although there are no confirmed historical sources, Lucy was born in Syracuse in the year 283 AD - from a wealthy family of Christian faith. Devoted only to God, she did not want to submit to an arranged marriage in order to follow her religious vocation.
Legend has it that she brought food to persecuted Christians, hidden in the absolute darkness of the catacombs, illuminating her path with the dim light of candles - which became one of the symbols par excellence of the saint.
She died in 304 AD, executed thanks to the ferocious persecution against Christians perpetrated under the emperor Diocletian - denounced by her own husband, who did not want to accept her refusal. At first, guards tried to set her on fire, but her strong faith in God made her unburnable so she was then killed with a dagger and eye gouged - taking away her beautiful eyes.
As you can easily expect, the feast of Saint Lucy is nothing more than another pagan holiday that has been Christianized over the centuries. The name itself, Lucia, means "light" from the Latin "lux": in fact, the return of light is the main theme of this holiday (remember the candles?), like so many solstice festivals celebrated in this period.
The symbols of the saint themselves are actually solar symbols: the crown of candles, the blond hair with which she is usually represented, the eyes on the tray, the ears of wheat (later wisely replaced by the palm grove in her iconography, symbol of martyrdom), the sword… In the northern Italian tradition, she is represented by riding a donkey.
Another recurring theme in the myths of Santa Claus and the Befana, symbolizing the shamanic flight and the Wild Hunt.
*** Click here to read our article on Krampus, the Wild Hunt and other winter traditions.
Not surprisingly, before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the Winter Solstice fell precisely on December 13: even now, in fact, there are several proverbs linked to the days that gradually become longer, after the long darkness.
I leave you the Veronese version below:
De Santa Lussia na ponta de ucia,
De Nadal el passo de on gal,
De l'Epifania el passo de na stria,
De Sant'Antonio el passo de un demonio,
De San Bastian un'ora e on passo de can.
On Saint Lucy (13th December), the point of a needle
At Christmas (25th December), the step of a rooster,
On the Epiphany (6th January), the step of a witch
On Saint Anthony (17th January), the devil's step
On Saint Sebastian (20th January), one hour and one dog step
The Sacred Light of Northern Europe
more popular than in her native country. The cult is thought to have arrived during the Middle Ages, carried by Catholic missionaries; then being syncretised with local customs.
It seems that it was precisely the return of the Sacred Light that made the saint so loved in Scandinavia, where the evangelization came much later than the rest of Europe: it is not so much the figure of Lucy that is celebrated, but the meaning behind it.
In the heart of winter, people could only take advantage of a few hours of light before the cold darkness fell again; the winter solstice was therefore eagerly awaited in order to finally be able to return to the comfort of the light and warmth of the coming season.
Traditionally, on the night of December the 12th, the vigil (Lussevaka) was celebrated: during the then longest night, the Earth was believed to be infested with hordes of evil spirits; it was customary to stay awake until dawn, safe in the homes lit by many candles, to make sure that none of them crossed the threshold.
On the morning of December 13th, dawn would then come (in this case, symbolised by Lucy), dispelling the darkness and bringing relief and awareness that the longest night had finally come to an end.
Nowadays, tradition has it that a member of the family (usually the eldest daughter), impersonates the figure of the saint and takes care of preparing typical sweets and hot drinks to be served to begin the celebration of Lucia Dag.
And on this day, wherever you are, I wish you a peaceful celebration: may Lucy bring you light in a world that at the moment needs to find its way again, in this long winter. A light of comfort, joy and carefree laughter - like happy memories of our childhood.
I, of course, will spend the day wrapped in the most beautiful memories and greeting the return of the sun.
Bright Blessings.
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