Christmas and New Year Myths

This vibrant book is like a festive box of winter legends, in which biblical tales, pagan rituals, and folk folklore intertwine in strange ways. With its help, you will embark on a grand holiday journey through time and space—from the... Roman Saturnalia to Victorian Christmas trees, from medieval Europe to modern China—and discover the amazing origins of beloved Christmas and New Year traditions.
You will learn how the fir tree became a symbol of Christmas, and how mistletoe and holly became essential attributes of the holiday, who else, according to folk legends, came to worship the infant Christ besides the three wise men with gifts, and how winter holidays are celebrated and continue to be celebrated around the world. You will also get acquainted with kind winter wizards from all over the world: the Russian Ded Moroz, the American Santa Claus, the Basque Olentzero, a descendant of ancient giants, the Italian Befana and Babbo Natale, the French Pere Noel, and the Swedish Christmas gnome Jultomten.
Why do the Scots put guests out in the cold with cookies, coal, and whiskey? How in Mexico, Santa Claus was almost replaced by… an Aztec deity? What do Icelandic Yule lads named Gerdina-from-Shepherd, Ladle-Licker, Sausage-Swapper, and Candle-Beggar do, and what other ambiguous characters can be found at Christmas?
You will find out about this and much more in this festive book, and at the end awaits you a real book gift—a list of the most enchanting Christmas and New Year stories for cozy reading, so that your beloved childhood holidays become not just a good tradition, but a magical time when miracles still happen in the world. Colorful and black-and-white illustrations will complement the fairy tale journey into Christmas and New Year!
The series of books "Myths of the World. The Most Enchanting Stories of Humanity" will introduce you to captivating stories from different countries and peoples. It is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of other cultures and broaden your horizons. Become a witness to epic battles of gods, mysterious rituals, and legendary heroes!