In various regions of Spain and other countries with Catholic traditions, December 13th is celebrated as the Day of Saint Lucy, a festivity that, over time, has incorporated certain customs that combine religion with ancient pagan rites. One of the most curious rituals related to this date is the burning of specific plants, a practice that has remained alive in certain communities.
According to popular tradition, the plant chosen to be burned on December 13th varies by region, but in many communities in northern Spain, especially in Galicia and Asturias, holly is used. This evergreen shrub has been considered a symbol of protection and good fortune for centuries, especially during the winter months when its characteristic red fruit adorns the landscapes. The belief is that by burning holly on this date, the arrival of light is encouraged and the home is protected from negative energies and evil spirits, allowing Saint Lucy’s light—whose etymology of the name refers to “light”—to enter and purify the environment.
In other areas, such as some towns in Catalonia, it is common to burn rosemary, another symbolic plant loaded with meaning. It is said that the perfumed smoke released by burning rosemary has purifying properties and is capable of attracting good luck for the upcoming year.
This tradition is usually carried out at dusk, when families gather around the fire and take the opportunity to share stories and anecdotes linked to their ancestors. Although the practice has lost strength in recent years, those who keep this custom alive ensure that it is a way to connect with their roots and celebrate the beginning of the winter solstice, which is just around the corner.
With the popularization of modern heating systems and the decline of rural traditions, fewer and fewer people participate in this ritual. However, for those who perpetuate it, these small holly or rosemary flames are much more than fire: they are a symbol of cultural resistance and hope in the protective power of ancestral legends, which seek to keep a spark of identity alive in an increasingly homogenous world.
via: MiMub in Spanish
