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 story behind the Yule log? ›
The lighting of the Yule log was used to symbolize the birth of Jesus by some while others claimed it symbolized Jesus's triumph over sin. Today the burning of the Yule log is seen more as a secular holiday tradition though it is still performed by those of Christian and pagan beliefs alike during the holidays.
What is the history of the Yule log in France? ›
The Yule log was originally part of Celtic culture. During the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year – the Celts would keep a wooden log burning throughout the night to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. The first rolled, log-shaped cakes appeared in France in the late 19th century.
What religion does the Yule log come from? ›
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. Yule logs can mean different things for different people. For some, yule logs mean warm, crackling fireplaces.
Why do we eat yule logs at Christmas? ›
One of the favourite sweet treats of Christmas was first created in remembrance of an ancient tradition. The Christmas Chocolate Yule Log we all know and love actually represents the historical practice of collecting and burning a very large log in the hearth, throughout the Christmas season.
What is the spiritual meaning of a Yule log? ›
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 are some interesting facts about the Yule log? ›
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).
Is the Yule log a Viking tradition? ›
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.
Why do Pagans burn a 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.
Who started Yule and why? ›
In the Nordic regions, the Germanic peoples observed a festival known as Yule. Rooted in Norse mythology, Yule marked the return of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. The Yule log, a central symbol of this celebration, was lit to honor the god Thor and bring warmth and protection to the home.
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 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.
Which country would I be in if I eat a Yule log for Christmas? ›
Edible Yule Logs
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.
What is the real Yule story? ›
In the Nordic regions, the Germanic peoples observed a festival known as Yule. Rooted in Norse mythology, Yule marked the return of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. The Yule log, a central symbol of this celebration, was lit to honor the god Thor and bring warmth and protection to the home.
What does the Yule tree represent? ›
The Yule Tree
Our modern custom flourished in Germany and spread to other European nations and North America in the 19th century. The Yule tree's brightly colored decorations and lights symbolized stellar objects, spirits of those who died, religious events and figures, and provided edible treats.
What is the origin story of Yule? ›
Yule comes from the old Norse jól and Old English géohol which was a season of hunting after the harvest was done. This fell in what we now call December so it eventually became associated with the Christmas Holiday. The first recorded use of the noun Yuletide, according to Wikipedia, was in 1475.
What is the Norse Yule log tradition? ›
It is thought that the original Yule log was a large log that burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as 12 days. A popular modern take on the Yule log is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log. Another remaining tradition is that of the Yule goat.
