BS: The Yule Log

Subject: BS: The Yule Log
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 09:02 PM

Smarten me up. I just caught the tail end of a program on the tradition of the Yule log and found it interesting. I thought maybe some of my Brit friends could enlighten me on the topic. We plug ours in, over here...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: mg
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 09:11 PM

I';ve heard odds and ends but not enough to say. But I think I remember something about some fireplaces being built a particular size to accomodate them. maybe I'll do a google search...
mg

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: masato sakurai
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 09:18 PM

From The Book of Days (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1879) (go on to next pages).
~Masato

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 10:33 PM

Thank you, Masato. Why do I even bother asking anyone else about something... Maybe we should have an official "Ask Masato" thread...

You my man, Masato!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 10:43 PM

I like to fire up my Yule Log on Christmas Eve after the kids are in bed.......Kinda' warms up both my wife and I for the next day when the kids won't leave us alone...........Yeah, nothin' like layin' out my log anytime, but Christmas makes a nice present for both of us...........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: masato sakurai
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 11:23 PM

Jerry, I'm also interested in subjects other than music. I happen to have that 2-volume book. Other references (not so comprehensive) include:

Christina Hole, British Folk Customs (Hutchinson, 1976, pp. 220-222)
Jacqueline Simpson and Steve Roud, A Dictionary of English Folklore (Oxford, 2000, pp. 402-403)
Iona Opie and Moira Tatem, A Dictionary of Superstitions (Oxford, 1989, p. 77 [under "Christmas log / Ashen Faggot"]
Tristram P. Coffin, The Book of Christmas Folklore (Seabury, 1973, p. 18)

~Masato

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 03:40 AM

It is said it originates from the legend of the Holly King and the Oak King. The wren represents the Holly and the Oak the Robin. In midwinter the robin hunts down the wren and wraps her in ivy. This represents the end of the old year and beginning of the new. Traditionally the yule log is a piece of oak and the lighting of it represents the coming to life of the new year.

Subject: RE: BS: The Yule Log
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 01:05 PM

Used to be on WPIX Christmas day, just a video tape of a flaming log in a fireplace, the real trick was to see if you could spot where the tape repeated itself!

Nick