Yule
This traditional Yule dessert, along with gingerbread and eggnog, was enjoyed during the celebrations.
What is Yule log cake?
During Saturnalia, Romans exchanged small items meant to bring good fortune and light, such as candles and dice.
What are gifts?
This color represents the sun returning during the winter solstice.
What is gold?
During Yule, people feasted and celebrated the return of this celestial body, marking the lengthening of days.
What is the sun?
In the United States, this plant is traditionally hung for people to kiss underneath during Christmas.
What is mistletoe?
Young children would do this during Yule to honor the Winter Solstice, and villagers would reward them with sweets.
What is caroling?
A special honey-sweetened wine was commonly enjoyed during Saturnalia feasts.
What is mulsum?
This color symbolizes the moon during ancient winter celebrations.
What is silver?
This Roman festival, celebrated from December 17–23, honored the agricultural god Saturn with feasts, gift-giving, and relaxed social rules.
What is Saturnalia?
This 2003 film follows two brothers who attempt to retrieve Santa’s lost gift list, leading to magical holiday adventures.
What is Elf?
Yule was celebrated to welcome this celestial event, symbolizing hope and rebirth.
What is the sun’s return?
Romans wore a pointed wool cap during Saturnalia as a symbol of freedom and celebration.
What is the pileum?
Inspired by holly berries, this color represents decoration and festivity.
What is red?
As Christianity spread, elements of Yule and Saturnalia were incorporated into Christmas. This process of adapting pre-existing customs into a new religious context is an example of what cultural phenomenon.
What is cultural syncretism?
This creamy, spiced beverage, often associated with Christmas in the United States, traditionally contains milk, sugar, eggs, and sometimes alcohol.
What is eggnog?
During Yule, people would “wassail” these to ensure a good harvest for the coming year.
What are the trees?
This Saturnalia tradition included games, music, dancing, and sometimes choosing a mock king.
What is celebrating (or Saturnalia festivities)?
This color comes from holly, ivy, and pine, symbolizing nature and life.
What is green?
Originally a pagan festival, Christmas eventually became associated with this religious figure, giving older customs a new spiritual meaning.
Who is Jesus?
This holiday, originating with Germanic and Norse peoples, is still celebrated in countries like Denmark, Sweden, and northern Germany.
What is Yule?
Yule celebrants wore colors like red, green, white, silver, and gold, each representing a different meaning, and honored this Norse god by burning a Yule log.
Who is Thor?
To honor Saturn, Romans performed this ritual that involved pigs and communal feasting.
What is sacrifice?
This color symbolizes hope and purity and represents the rebirth of the new sun during the winter solstice.
What is white?
While Yule and Saturnalia could last for days with feasts and games, modern Christmas is often observed as this type of celebration.
What is a one-day or short holiday celebration?
Although Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival, it is reportedly still celebrated in this English city.
What is Chester, England?