Yule, or Yuletide, is an ancient winter festival with origins among the Germanic peoples, particularly the Norse, who called their traditional festival Jól (old Norse for "Yule"). Celebrated historically in connection with the winter solstice (December 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere), Jól focused on themes of feasting, fire, and light. Some historians suggest this time also involved observing the veil between the living and the dead, giving it a potentially spooky atmosphere. Though modern religious beliefs largely replaced the traditional holiday, Yule is still celebrated today in various parts of North America and especially Northern Europe through Neo-Pagan celebrations that blend both old and new traditions, embracing its status as one of the world's oldest winter solstice festivals.
Yule Decorations
Yule, as the festival of light, features many symbolic decorations that bring illumination to the celebration. Evergreens such as ivy, holly, and pine are integral to modern Yule décor; these cut trees and branches symbolize life, rebirth, and renewal. Their enduring greenness represents resilience against the death and destruction of winter, encouraging the Sun's eventual return. Evergreens benefit winter wildlife by providing food and shelter. Their leaves remain throughout the winter, helping animals endure harsh conditions.
In modern Druidic tradition, holly is often used to decorate windows, doors, and fireplaces to prevent evil spirits from entering the home and causing harm. Furthermore, in modern druidism, holly is frequently associated with the Holly King, who embodies Winter. Mistletoe is also considered immensely powerful, symbolizing fertility. Branches and sprigs of the mistletoe tree were hung over doorways to offer protection against evil. Keep in mind that mistletoe is very poisonous, so if you do use it during the holiday season, hang it up high.
More key symbols of the holiday are the Yule Tree and the Yule Log. The Yule Tree is often decorated with natural ornaments such as pinecones, berries, and popcorn garlands, the latter of which would also feed winter birds. Originating in Scandinavia, the Yule Log was a massive ash log meant to burn continuously on the hearth. This sustained fire was believed to ward off spirits and demons, with the duration of the burn correlating to the speed of the Sun's return. Yule traditions often incorporate candles, which, like the Yule Log, represent the eternal flame. Wreaths made of evergreens, cones, and berries symbolize the wheel of the year, marking the end of a cycle, as well as goodwill and friendship. Bells are another common Yule symbol, traditionally rung every morning to welcome the longer, warmer days following the solstice and to ward off the season's darkness.
Yule Food & Drink
Special food and drink are essential to the winter season, crafted to provide warmth and comfort during the cold, dark days. Wassail is a traditional beverage associated with well-wishes. This strong alcoholic mix of ale, honey, and spices—or mulled apple cider—was traditionally poured into a large bowl during feasting. The host would offer the blessing "waes hael" (be well) to their guests, who would reply with "drinc hael" (drink and be well), sharing a toast for good health. A Yule Log cake, also known as Bûche de Noël, is a traditional Christmas dessert shaped like a log. It is particularly popular in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. A classic Yule Log cake, opens a new window features a tender sponge cake filled with whipped cream and is often covered with whipped chocolate ganache. It’s a delicious treat for the holiday season!
Yule Activities
An ancient European custom during Yule is wassailing a tree. This ritual involved making noise among the branches of apple trees to frighten away evil spirits and "toasting" the tree's health with warm wassail, a drink shared from a bucket. Some of the wassail was also poured over the tree's roots, and cider-soaked bread was placed on its branches. This tradition is still alive and thriving today. Modern Yule gatherings also commonly featured burning the
Yule Log and the exchange of gifts, along with crafting a Yule Goat, or a Julbok, a figure traditionally made of straw and red ribbon. There was a belief that bringing the Yule Goat into the house would also bring good luck for the new year.
Yuletide celebrations are a time to connect with the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, as guests gather with cheer to share warm food and drink. Explore Yule's history and traditions with selections from the booklist below.
Yule. Britannica Library, Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 Apr. 2025. library-eb-com.proxy.librarypoint.org/levels/referencecenter/article/Yule/634802. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Masaro, D. (2020, December 26). Traditions and Symbols of Yule. Sacred Earth Journeys. https://www.sacredearthjourneys.ca/blog/traditions-and-symbols-of-yule/.
Wassailing the apple trees. Terhune Orchards. (2025b, November 2). https://www.terhuneorchards.com/wassail-festival/.
