{"id":192734,"date":"2022-12-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-13T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/?p=192734"},"modified":"2026-09-28T19:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:55:19","slug":"fakta-om-lucia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/","title":{"rendered":"Facts about Lucia - 15 things you (maybe) didn't know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ta_ads_container\" class=\"takeover-container has-clientside-condition loading run-count-0\" data-ttl=\"86400\"><div class=\"takeover-bar\"><a class=\"blog-logo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" title=\"FREEDOMtravel - Sweden&#039;s largest travel magazine - \" rel=\"home\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FREEDOMtravel-resemagasin.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel - Sveriges mesta resemagasin\"><\/a><a class=\"home-link close-takeover\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\">Go to FREEDOMtravel<\/a><\/div><div class=\"takeover-content\"><div class=\"label\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-3645756914\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-computer-1920x900px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1024x480.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-768x360.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-224x105.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-600x281.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1536x720.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-433x203.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1200x563.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" width=\"1920\" height=\"900\"   \/><\/a><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {if( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709_timeout\" ) ) {if( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\" ) ) {var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = parseInt( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\" ) ) + 1;} else { var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = 1; }} else {var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = 1;advads.set_cookie_sec(\"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709_timeout\", \"true\", 86400 );}advads.set_cookie_sec(\"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\", advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709, 86400 );});<\/script><\/div><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"h-skribent-helena-bergstrom\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Writer: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated: September 2026<\/em> | What do you really know about Lucia? On December 13, white-clad Lucias, maids and star boys march through Sweden, with candles in their hands and familiar songs. But the tradition is much more varied than it seems. Here we offer 15 interesting facts about Lucia \u2013 from a Catholic saint and a dangerous night of Lucia to male Lucias, wild youth antics and a song from Naples.<\/p><div class=\"sharethis-buttons\"><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"twitter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/twitter.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Tweet<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"facebook\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/facebook.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"linkedin\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/linkedin.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"pinterest\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/pinterest.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Pin<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"reddit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/reddit.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"digg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/digg.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad729a260b73\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad729a260b73\" checked aria-label=\"toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#Fakta_om_Lucia\" >Facts about Lucia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#1_Lucia_var_en_verklig_person_%E2%80%93_men_mycket_ar_legend\" >1. Lucia was a real person \u2013 but much is legend<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#2_Det_svenska_luciafirandet_ar_ett_historiskt_hopkok\" >2. The Swedish Lucia celebration is a historical concoction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#3_Den_13_december_raknades_en_gang_som_arets_langsta_natt\" >3. December 13th was once considered the longest night of the year<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#4_Kalendern_andrades_%E2%80%93_men_lussenatten_levde_kvar\" >4. The calendar changed \u2013 but Midsummer Night&#039;s Eve lived on<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#5_Lucianatten_kunde_vara_riktigt_laskig\" >5. Lucia night could be really scary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#6_Att_%E2%80%9Dga_lusse%E2%80%9D_kunde_vara_ett_vilt_ungdomsupptag\" >6. &quot;Going crazy&quot; could be a wild youth prank<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#7_Den_vitkladda_Lucian_kan_ha_fatt_inspiration_fran_Tyskland\" >7. The white-clad Lucian may have been inspired by Germany<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#8_En_av_de_forsta_kanda_luciorna_med_ljus_i_haret_var_en_man\" >8. One of the first known Lucias with candles in their hair was a man<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#9_Manliga_lucior_ar_inget_modernt_pafund\" >9. Male lucias are not a modern invention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#10_Stjarngossarna_horde_fran_borjan_inte_ihop_med_Lucia\" >10. The Star Boys didn&#039;t belong with Lucia from the beginning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#11_Staffan_stalledrang_var_sannolikt_ingen_stalledrang\" >11. Staffan the stable boy was probably not a stable boy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#12_Skansen_hjalpte_till_att_sprida_Lucia_over_Sverige\" >12. Skansen helped spread Lucia across Sweden<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#13_Det_stora_offentliga_luciataget_slog_igenom_1927\" >13. The large public Lucia procession was a success in 1927<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#14_%E2%80%9DNatten_gar_tunga_fjat%E2%80%9D_har_en_melodi_fran_Neapel\" >14. &quot;The Night Goes by with Heavy Fists&quot; has a melody from Naples.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#15_Det_traditionella_luciataget_har_aldrig_slutat_forandras\" >15. The traditional Lucia procession has never stopped changing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#Fler_intressanta_fakta_om_Lucia\" >More interesting facts about Lucia?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/#Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\" >Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fakta_om_Lucia\"><\/span>Facts about Lucia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swedish Lucia celebration may feel like an ancient and unified tradition, but it is not that simple. On the contrary, the celebration has grown through a mixture of traditions from different times and places. Saint Lucia from Sicily is just one of many pieces of the puzzle. Here are 15 things you might not know about Lucia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-820x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-279693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-820x1024.jpg 820w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-768x959.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-179x224.jpg 179w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-10x12.jpg 10w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-260x325.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_E8953.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peter and Helena from FREEDOMtravel, ready for Lucia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Lucia_var_en_verklig_person_%E2%80%93_men_mycket_ar_legend\"><\/span>1. Lucia was a real person \u2013 but much is legend<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saint Lucia lived in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2015\/08\/syrakusa-sicilien\/\">Syracuse<\/a><\/strong> in Sicily at the end of the 3rd century and was martyred during the Roman period. She died around 304 and was later venerated as a Christian saint. Her feast day is December 13.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3095881614\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88752\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-3308310051 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1378485424\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-top-banner-588x158px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-toppbanner-588x158px.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-769216425\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ullbadden.se\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider3308310051 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-3308310051\" );$freedslider3308310051.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider3308310051.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider3308310051.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider3308310051.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider3308310051.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the colorful stories about her life should not be read as a reliable biography. According to the legend of the saint, Lucia was a young woman from a wealthy family who had vowed to live in chastity. When her mother recovered from a serious illness, Lucia donated her dowry to the poor. The man who had planned to marry her was furious and denounced her for her Christian faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lucia was to be taken to a brothel, but could not be moved. They tried to burn her, but the flames did not harm her. In the end, she was killed with a sword or a dagger. So the legend goes \u2013 but we know much less about what really happened to the historical Lucia.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3476691722\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88753\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-1719318819 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-128393939\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elmia.se\/husvagn\/for-besokare\/biljetter\/?utm_source=freedomtravel&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_campaign=elmiahusvagn_kop_biljett_mars-sep\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-1103205397\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale (588 x 158 px)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider1719318819 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-1719318819\" );$freedslider1719318819.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider1719318819.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider1719318819.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider1719318819.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider1719318819.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"638\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-638x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-316188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-638x1024.jpg 638w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-187x300.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-768x1232.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-140x224.jpg 140w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-958x1536.jpg 958w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-7x12.jpg 7w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-203x325.jpg 203w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920-600x962.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12019-santa-lucia-177216_1920.jpg 1197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saint Lucia. Photo: Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Det_svenska_luciafirandet_ar_ett_historiskt_hopkok\"><\/span>2. The Swedish Lucia celebration is a historical concoction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How is it that a secularized and Protestant country far up in the North celebrates a Catholic saint from Sicily? The answer is roughly: We don&#039;t \u2013 at least not only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our modern Lucia celebration has grown out of many different traditions. There is the Italian saint, the old Lussenatte, western Swedish party traditions, medieval church plays, star boys, folk costume antics, German influences and significantly more modern elements from Skansen and 20th century newspapers.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banner freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-1407564117\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-1826403807\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/firstcamp.se\/bra-att-veta\/incheckning-efter-stangning?utm_source=display&#038;utm_medium=Freedom-Travel&#038;utm_campaign=Freedom-Travel-sommar-2026\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-224x107.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-433x206.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"280\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result has been the strange \u2013 and quite fantastic \u2013 tradition we know today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Lucia - Luciakrona\" class=\"wp-image-192779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/candlelight-g53cc091cf_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: ChristinaZetterberg \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Den_13_december_raknades_en_gang_som_arets_langsta_natt\"><\/span>3. December 13th was once considered the longest night of the year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the past, Lucia night was associated with the longest night of the year. The explanation lies, among other things, in the old Julian calendar, which had over time become out of sync with the solar year. The winter solstice therefore fell roughly on Lucia.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banners-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-2799428391\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-117546333\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/wifi.se\/produkt\/hybrid-traveller-portabel-5g-router-med-backup-batteri-i-over-6-timmar-usb\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"freedom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/freedom.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"288\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That made the night between December 12 and 13 something very special. The darkness was at its deepest \u2013 and soon the light would begin to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is tempting to connect today&#039;s light-bearing Lucia directly to the winter solstice, but the development of the tradition is considerably more complicated than that.<\/p><div class=\"freed-placering-11 freed-entity-placement\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"freed-590024810\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88783\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-1493010619 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-2215596053\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husvagnsbranschen.se\/medlemmar\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HRF new xl 2026-9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-3995725976\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/protect.checkpoint.com\/v2\/r02\/___https:\/www.kabe.se\/se\/nyheter\/kabe-roadshow-2026\/___.YzJlOmthYmU6YzpvOmVkZTIyYjJkNTMxZTZkZjM1YWVhOTViM2NkZTIxMzBlOjc6NDMyYTozYTBkNmIzNGEyZDExNmUyY2ZhYWU3MGNkNzExYmE4ZDUzNjRmYzI5NjgwOTNhNTk5MmZlZDQ2ZTVlNTA3NmVkOmg6VDpO\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"oaddtrip Kabe\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider1493010619 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-1493010619\" );$freedslider1493010619.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider1493010619.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider1493010619.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider1493010619.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider1493010619.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-1024x654.jpg\" alt=\"Vinterskog\" class=\"wp-image-192782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-1024x654.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-768x490.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-433x276.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280-600x383.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/snow-gb84c0e84a_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winter night. Photo: Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Kalendern_andrades_%E2%80%93_men_lussenatten_levde_kvar\"><\/span>4. The calendar changed \u2013 but Midsummer Night&#039;s Eve lived on<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1753, Sweden switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. This meant that the winter solstice once again fell around December 21\u201322.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But traditions are stubborn things. The idea of December 13th as the longest night of the year lived on, even though the calendar had changed. And it wasn&#039;t just any night. Midsummer&#039;s Eve was loaded with ideas about both dangers and supernatural powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Trolsk skog\" class=\"wp-image-192772\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/forest-g6b95839a2_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">What can you encounter on a winter night? Image source: Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Lucianatten_kunde_vara_riktigt_laskig\"><\/span>5. Lucia night could be really scary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today&#039;s Lucia is associated with beautiful singing, saffron buns and candles. In the past, the atmosphere was much more eerie.<\/p><div class=\"freed-stor-banner-plats-14 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3173233803\"><div id=\"freed-slider-88782\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-172473670 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-2736680380\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale 588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-3209965542\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-XL-588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider172473670 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-172473670\" );$freedslider172473670.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider172473670.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider172473670.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider172473670.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider172473670.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the old peasant society, the night of the lussen was considered a dangerous night when supernatural beings could be on the move. People could also try to predict what would happen in the coming year. Due to the similarity in sound, the name Lucia also sometimes came to be associated with Lucifer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In different parts of Sweden, a variety of folk tales arose about who Lucia or Lussi really was. There was no unified story \u2013 she could be described as everything from a saint and a benevolent woman to a supernatural being. Quite a far cry from today&#039;s atmospheric Lucia mornings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-316190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ugglemamma-angel-2332116_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lucia sounds a bit like Lucifer... Photo: owlmamma \/ Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Att_%E2%80%9Dga_lusse%E2%80%9D_kunde_vara_ett_vilt_ungdomsupptag\"><\/span>6. &quot;Going crazy&quot; could be a wild youth prank<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nor did the Lusset processions of earlier times bear much resemblance to today&#039;s solemn processions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In western Sweden in particular, young people dressed up would wander around the farms collecting food and drink. There were lusse brides, lusse old women and lusse old men, and it was not uncommon to dress up as the other gender. The celebration could be both playful, rowdy and carnival-like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lucia Day was called \u201dLittle Christmas Eve\u201d or \u201dLusse L\u00e5ngnatt\u201d in some places, and those who had the opportunity could take the opportunity to eat well. So if someone claims that a truly traditional Lucia celebration must be quiet and solemn, it can be stated that the history is considerably messier than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Den_vitkladda_Lucian_kan_ha_fatt_inspiration_fran_Tyskland\"><\/span>7. The white-clad Lucian may have been inspired by Germany<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where does the image of Lucia as a figure dressed in white with candles in her hair come from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important possible influence is the German <strong>The Christkindlein tradition<\/strong>. There, a girl dressed in white could portray the baby Jesus and carry a candle on her head, like a symbolic halo. This tradition has been pointed out as a model for the Swedish Lucian&#039;s white skar and chandelier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But as is often the case with old traditions, there is no simple path from a single model to what we do today. The Swedish Lucian grew out of several different customs being mixed and changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\u00c4ngel\" class=\"wp-image-192783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/angel-g05e43ee4f_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_En_av_de_forsta_kanda_luciorna_med_ljus_i_haret_var_en_man\"><\/span>8. One of the first known Lucias with candles in their hair was a man<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now it gets really interesting! The oldest known evidence of a white-clad Lucia wooing in the morning comes from V\u00e4sterg\u00f6tland in 1764. That Lucia had angel wings and carried candlesticks in her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But one of the first known descriptions of a white-clad Lucia with candles in her hair is about a farmhand at Skinnskatteberg&#039;s manor in V\u00e4stmanland around 1820. The classic Swedish Lucian with a chandelier thus has an early male representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Lucia - ljuskrona\" class=\"wp-image-192777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gc2715a784_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: ChristinaZetterberg \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Manliga_lucior_ar_inget_modernt_pafund\"><\/span>9. Male lucias are not a modern invention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The servant in Skinnskatteberg was no strange exception. During the 18th and 19th centuries, male Lucias appeared at universities. According to the Nordic Museum&#039;s chronology, the nation&#039;s most beautiful first-year student could get the role of Lucia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It may be worth remembering when discussions arise today about who can or should be Lucia. The tradition has changed both form and content many times throughout history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Stjarngossarna_horde_fran_borjan_inte_ihop_med_Lucia\"><\/span>10. The Star Boys didn&#039;t belong with Lucia from the beginning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What do the star boys actually do in the Lucia procession? They have a completely different history than Lucia. The tradition has its roots in medieval Catholic church plays and later star boy processions around Christmas and Epiphany. The star boys represented the three wise men who followed the Star of Bethlehem to the baby Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In older star games, more characters could also be included, such as Herod, Mary, Joseph, soldiers and the Christmas goat. Only later were the star boys baked together with Lucia and became an obvious part of what many of us today consider ancient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Lucia - stj\u00e4rngossestrutar\" class=\"wp-image-192788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2947.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Staffan_stalledrang_var_sannolikt_ingen_stalledrang\"><\/span>11. Staffan the stable boy was probably not a stable boy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And then we have Staffan, who waters his five foals. Behind Staffan is the Christian martyr <strong>Stefanos<\/strong>, who is usually considered the first martyr of Christianity. Stories and songs about Staffan then developed in different ways as the traditions spread north, and in the Nordic countries he gained a strong connection with horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The songs about Staffan lived a life of their own for a long time and were sung, among other things, when young people went around between farms during the Christmas period. Eventually, Staffan and his songs also ended up close to Lucia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/12\/staffan-stalledrang\/\">Staffan Stalledr\u00e4ng - who was he really?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Vit h\u00e4st\" class=\"wp-image-192786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/white-horse-ge4726c0e0_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">White horse. Photo: kudybadorota \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Skansen_hjalpte_till_att_sprida_Lucia_over_Sverige\"><\/span>12. Skansen helped spread Lucia across Sweden<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the 19th century, the Lucia tradition similar to today&#039;s was still primarily associated with Western Sweden and certain upper-class and student environments. Then Skansen came into the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1892, Lucia began to be celebrated on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2021\/12\/besoka-skansen\/\">Skansen<\/a> in Stockholm to showcase local traditions from western Sweden. At that time, the Lucia celebration was still relatively unknown to many Stockholmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skansen did not invent Lucia \u2013 but it contributed greatly to making the regional tradition known to a larger audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Skansen\" class=\"wp-image-154946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/grander-6.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Det_stora_offentliga_luciataget_slog_igenom_1927\"><\/span>13. The large public Lucia procession was a success in 1927<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next big step was taken by the newspaper <strong>Stockholm Daily<\/strong>. In 1927, the newspaper organized a large public Lucia procession through Stockholm. It was intended both as a Lucia carnival in the electrically lit city and as a way to collect money for the poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following year, Stockholms Dagblad organized a Lucia competition, where the winning Lucian was carried in procession with electric lights in his crown. The idea then spread to other newspapers. Lucia had taken the leap from regional custom and student tradition to a mass media phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the Lucia procession we recognize today only became widespread around the middle of the 20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Lucia - Luciat\u00e5g\" class=\"wp-image-192775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-gd0d9e6f11_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Miniature Lucia train. Photo: frstr23 \/ Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_%E2%80%9DNatten_gar_tunga_fjat%E2%80%9D_har_en_melodi_fran_Neapel\"><\/span>14. &quot;The Night Goes by with Heavy Fists&quot; has a melody from Naples.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of our most Swedish December melodies is actually Italian. The melody to <strong>Saint Lucia<\/strong> was published in 1850 by the Italian composer Teodoro Cottrau. Originally the song was a tribute to the district <strong>Santa Lucia in Naples<\/strong>, which is located by the sea and is named after the saint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only later did the melody receive Swedish lyrics with a connection to our Lucia celebration. Sigrid Elmblad wrote <em>Saint Lucia, bright mirage<\/em> 1924, while Arvid Ros\u00e9n wrote the well-known text <em>The night goes heavy with chains<\/em> 1928.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And are you wondering what &quot;fj\u00e4t&quot; actually means? It simply means <strong>step<\/strong>. \u201dStuva\u201d in the next line is an older form of \u201dstuga\u201d. So the next time you hear <em>The night goes heavy with chains<\/em> Can you think of Naples?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-316194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/christinazetterberg-lucia-1963975_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: ChristinaZetterberg \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Det_traditionella_luciataget_har_aldrig_slutat_forandras\"><\/span>15. The traditional Lucia procession has never stopped changing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lucia, bridesmaids, star boys, elves and maybe gingerbread men. It&#039;s easy to think that the Lucia procession has &quot;always&quot; looked pretty much the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the different figures come from different traditions and have been merged over time. The Lucia procession we recognize today only became common in the 20th century, and the celebration has continued to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#039;s actually quite typical of traditions. We bring parts from the past, add something new, take away something else \u2013 and after a while the result feels as if it has always been there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout history, Lucia has been both religious and profane, frightening and festive, messy and solemn. From the saint of Syracuse and the dark night of Lussen to today&#039;s Lucia procession, it is a tradition that has constantly changed. Perhaps it is precisely this change that is one of Lucia&#039;s oldest traditions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2025\/12\/lucia-forr-nu-och-i-framtiden\/\">Lucia in the past, present and future \u2013 a tradition in constant change<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Lucia\" class=\"wp-image-192789\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/louse-cat-g791a7e0e3_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: owlmother \/ Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fler_intressanta_fakta_om_Lucia\"><\/span>More interesting facts about Lucia?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did you know all this about Lucia? Or do you have more exciting stories about Lucia and old Lucia traditions to share? Feel free to leave a comment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2023\/12\/fakta-om-lussekatter\/\">Facts about lussekatter - 12 things you (maybe) didn't know?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2024\/12\/platser-forknippade-med-lucia\/\">9 places associated with Lucia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Lucia - lussekatter\" class=\"wp-image-192776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lynx-cats-gb291b36f7_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fluffy cats. Photo: owl mother \/ Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"freed-1325954453\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_2 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><form method=\"post\" id=\"ft_newsletter_subscribe\" action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/\" class=\"ft-newsletter\" data-ajax-url=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php\" data-trp-original-action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/12\/fakta-om-lucia\/\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"stage\" value=\"subscribe\" \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\"><\/span>Subscribe to our newsletter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"form-field\" data-missing=\"This field is required.\" data-invalid=\"Please enter a valid email address.\">\n<label for=\"ft_newsletter_email\">Email address<\/label>\n<input id=\"ft_newsletter_email\" name=\"ft_newsletter_email\" type=\"email\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" aria-required=\"true\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<input class=\"signup button newsletter-meta-button\" type=\"submit\"  name=\"subscribe\" value=\"Subscribe\">\n<div style=\"position: absolute; left: -4200px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ft-newsletter-protect\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"98d0b92c63fae1c39c28d2024aa82be8e0ab74fe\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\"><\/div>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"trp-form-language\" value=\"en\"\/><\/form><\/div><div id=\"freed-1173169482\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_3 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 35px;\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" aria-label=\"FREEDOMtravel Exit\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel Avslut\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-224x75.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-18x6.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-433x144.png 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\"   \/><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>G\u00e5 vidare till FREEDOMtravel Advertisement Annons Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: september 2026 |&nbsp;Vad vet du egentligen om Lucia? Den 13 december skrider vitkl\u00e4dda lucior, t\u00e4rnor och stj\u00e4rngossar fram i Sverige, med ljus i h\u00e4nderna och v\u00e4lbekanta s\u00e5nger. Men traditionen \u00e4r betydligt brokigare \u00e4n den ser ut. H\u00e4r bjuder vi p\u00e5 15 intressanta fakta om Lucia [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":192771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[88823,226,103],"class_list":["post-192734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vardag-och-fest","tag-fakta-om","tag-historia","tag-hogtid","has-featured-image"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-768x433.jpg",700,395,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-1024x578.jpg",700,395,true],"influencer":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",224,126,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-18x10.jpg",18,10,true],"startpage_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-433x244.jpg",433,244,true],"popular_product":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-520x520.jpg",520,520,true],"startpage_camping_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-433x677.jpg",433,677,true],"campervan_food":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",588,332,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-320x320.jpg",320,320,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-600x339.jpg",600,339,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280-100x100.jpg",100,100,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg",120,68,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Helena","author_link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":9,"uagb_excerpt":"G\u00e5 vidare till FREEDOMtravel Advertisement Annons Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: september 2026 |&nbsp;Vad vet du egentligen om Lucia? Den 13 december skrider vitkl\u00e4dda lucior, t\u00e4rnor och stj\u00e4rngossar fram i Sverige, med ljus i h\u00e4nderna och v\u00e4lbekanta s\u00e5nger. Men traditionen \u00e4r betydligt brokigare \u00e4n den ser ut. H\u00e4r bjuder vi p\u00e5 15 intressanta fakta om Lucia&hellip;","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lucia-g1f199c6cd_1280.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=192734"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":316195,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192734\/revisions\/316195"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/192771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=192734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=192734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=192734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}