Name ▲▼ | Origin ▲▼ | Description ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
"Christmas Decorations" | Christian | The great feast of Saturn was held in December, when the people decorated the temples with such green things as they could find. The Christian custom is the same but transferred Jesus. The holly or holy-tree is called Christ's-thorn in Germany and Scandinavia, from its use in church decorations and its putting forth its berries about Christmas time. The early Christians gave an emblematic turn to the custom, referring to the "righteous branch," and justifying the custom from Isaiah lx. 13- "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee; the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary." |
God name "Kaleda" | Selavonic | The god of peace, somewhat similar to the Latin Jåñuś. His feast was celebrated on the 24th of December. Selavonic |
Planet name "Saturnus" | Roman | Astral god. Identified with the planet Saturn, but thought to have originated as an agricultural deity concerned with sowing of seed. A sanctuary existed on the Roman forum from as early as 450 BC, also functioning as the imperial treasury. Saturnus was celebrated in the Saturnalia festival (December 17-19) during which masters and slaves exchanged roles and candles were given as gifts to symbolize the Winter darkness.... |
Deity name "Vitzilipuztli" | Aztec / Mesoamerican | Aspect of HUITZILPOCHTLI. Invoked twice a year, in May and December, during an agrarian festival. Virginal female worshipers created an image of the deity from dough consisting of maize flour, beet seed and honey. The image was given eyes and teeth using pieces of colored glåśś and whole maize seeds and was paraded, before being broken into pieces and eaten as a form of sacrament.... |