What is the tradition behind the yule log?

[sadmeercat937]

It was originally a Nordic tradition. Yule is the name of the old Winter Solstice festivals in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe, such as Germany. The Yule Log was originally an entire tree, that was carefully chosen and brought into the house with great ceremony.

[purplegoose545]

The Yule log, Yule clog, or Christmas block is a specially selected log burnt on a hearth as a Christmas tradition in regions of Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, and subsequently the Americas. The familiar custom of burning the Yule log dates back to earlier solstice celebrations and the tradition of bonfires.

Additionally, what does the unburned part of the Yule Log protect? It was considered good luck to keep an unburned part of the log to light the next years Yule log. The unburned part was believed to protect the home from lightning and fire during the year. Today also the custom of burning a special log on Christmas Eve is followed.

Also asked, what is a Yule log made out of?

The Yule log cake (or bûche de Noël for French speakers) is an elaborate creation consisting of a rolled, filled sponge cake, frosted with chocolate buttercream to look like tree bark and festooned with meringue mushrooms, marzipan holly sprigs, spun sugar cobwebs and any other sort of edible decoration.

Is the Yule log Pagan?

The tradition of yule logs has its roots in pagan rituals. In fact, the word yule is old English for a festival known to take place in December and January. Northern Europeans, like Vikings, celebrated the Festival of Yule to honor the winter solstice by journeying into the woods in search of a hearty oak tree.