Second Step, Saint Nicholas in Europe: From Triumphal Spread to Fragmentation (12th-16th Century) (part2)
The somewhat gruesome aspect of this legend reminds us of some dark realities: Christian year-end celebrations, migrating northward, took place during a much more frightening period than the Mediterranean solstice, which was still relatively light. Here, the days were even shorter, and the night much more present. These were times ripe for cohorts of more or less numerous, malevolent, and morbid spirits, drawn from pagan folklore, but still tenacious in Christianized Europe, to come and torment poor mortals.
Text : English translation from Gilles Fumey
Picture : Josep Monter
Text : English translation from Gilles Fumey
Picture : Josep Monter