Why do we eat yule log at Christmas? The history of this beautiful tradition
The Yule log, or bûche de Noël in French, is a dessert that evokes the warmth and joy of the Christmas holidays. But what is the origin of this tradition? To find the answer, we must go back to much earlier times, even before the arrival of Christianity.
Pagan roots:
The roots of the Yule log can be found in ancient pagan traditions, especially in winter solstice celebrations. In many cultures, the winter solstice marked the rebirth of the sun and the beginning of a new cycle. To celebrate this event, large bonfires were lit with wooden logs, symbolizing the rebirth of nature and the hope of longer and warmer days.
In Norse culture, this log was known as Yule log. It was believed that the Yule log had magical powers and burning it would bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. The ashes of the log were kept and used as amulets or to protect crops.
With the arrival of Christianity, many of the pagan traditions were adapted and Christianized. The celebration of the winter solstice was transformed into Christmas, and the Yule log became a symbol of the birth of Jesus.
The birth of dessert and current events
Although the tradition of burning a log at Christmas lasted for centuries, it was not until the 19th century that the idea of creating a log-shaped dessert emerged. A French pastry chef is credited with creating the first Yule log, a sponge cake filled with cream and decorated to resemble a real log.
Today, the Yule log is a very popular dessert in many countries around the world. There are countless variations, from the most traditional to the most innovative, but they all share the same origin: the celebration of the winter solstice and the wish for a new beginning.
Christmas logs that you can make at home:
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