What is Saturnalia? Learn its history, the meaning Saturn, and ways to honor the day. Try a simple meditation to connect with Saturn's energy.
The War on Saturnalia begins.
Happy Saturnalia to all! Today, December 17, marks the beginning of the Saturnalia, a festival held in honour of Saturn that lasted for between 3 and 7 days. It originated as a farmer’s festival to…
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival honoring the agricultural god Saturn, occurred in mid-December. Saturnalia rituals later became Christmas traditions.
Saturnalia, the ancient Roman precursor to Christmas, was basically like the best holiday party you’ve ever been to, times a million. It was actually kind of similar to the Purge, except instead of…
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival was celebrated in honour of the deity Saturn which is held on the 17th of December according to the Julian calendar which later expanded with festivals all through the 23rd of December. Saturnalia originated as a farmer’s festival, commemorating the dedication of the templeof Saturn the Roman god of harvest and agriculture. It originally was celebrated only for a day in Ancient Rome but it became popular and the celebration lasted for a week inspite of Augustus’s efforts of reducing it to three days as well as Caligula’s to five days. The celebration began with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn the Roman forum together with a public banquet which was followed with a private gift sharing, continual partying as well as a carnival celebration which overturned the Roman social norms. Gambling was permitted with masters providing table service for their slaves. It was a time of honour to Saturn, the god of sowing and like Christmas, it was a feast day – dies festus, wherein a public banquet was prepared with an effigy of the god placed in their midst which was probably one of the guest in the crowd. Festival Time – Temporary Exchange of Roles According to poet Catullus he termed it as `the best of days’. During the festival it was a time for celebration wherein people visited their friends and indulged in gift sharing especially of wax candles known as cerei and earthenware figurines known as sigillaria. It was a great moment especially for the slaves which were a temporary exchange of roles wherein masters served meals to their slaves who were given the unaccustomed benefit of leisure and gambling. Clothing was sober which included the peaked woollen cap symbolizing the free slave that looks similar like Santa’s peaked red hat. The characteristic shout or salutation of the festival used the phrase `io Saturnalia’, which originally commenced after the public banquet on the single day of 17th December. It was a strong emotive ritual exclamation which was used in announcing triumph or celebrating Bacchus and also as a joke. Saturnalia – Work of Macrobius, Latin Writer According to Roman mythology, Saturn seems to be an agricultural deity who it is believed to have reigned over the world during the Golden Age. Saturnalia, probably the best known Roman holiday, as a whole, is not detailed from beginning to end in any single ancient record. From modern understanding with regards to the festival, details have been gathered together from various accounts which have dealt with many aspects. Saturnalia was the work of a Latin writer, by the name Macrobius from late antiquity who is the major source of information regarding the holiday. According to one of the interpretation in Macrobius’s work Saturnalia is a festival of light leading to the winter solstice along with the presence of abundant of candles which symbolises the quest for knowledge and truth. With the renewable of lights as well as the coming of the New Year, it was celebrated in the later Roman Empire of Sol Invictus at the Dies Natalis as the `birthday of the unconquerable Sun’, on 25th December.
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival honoring the agricultural god Saturn, occurred in mid-December. Saturnalia rituals later became Christmas traditions.
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival was celebrated in honour of the deity Saturn which is held on the 17th of December according to the Julian calendar which later expanded with festivals all through the 23rd of December. Saturnalia originated as a farmer’s festival, commemorating the dedication of the templeof Saturn the Roman god of harvest and agriculture. It originally was celebrated only for a day in Ancient Rome but it became popular and the celebration lasted for a week inspite of Augustus’s efforts of reducing it to three days as well as Caligula’s to five days. The celebration began with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn the Roman forum together with a public banquet which was followed with a private gift sharing, continual partying as well as a carnival celebration which overturned the Roman social norms. Gambling was permitted with masters providing table service for their slaves. It was a time of honour to Saturn, the god of sowing and like Christmas, it was a feast day – dies festus, wherein a public banquet was prepared with an effigy of the god placed in their midst which was probably one of the guest in the crowd. Festival Time – Temporary Exchange of Roles According to poet Catullus he termed it as `the best of days’. During the festival it was a time for celebration wherein people visited their friends and indulged in gift sharing especially of wax candles known as cerei and earthenware figurines known as sigillaria. It was a great moment especially for the slaves which were a temporary exchange of roles wherein masters served meals to their slaves who were given the unaccustomed benefit of leisure and gambling. Clothing was sober which included the peaked woollen cap symbolizing the free slave that looks similar like Santa’s peaked red hat. The characteristic shout or salutation of the festival used the phrase `io Saturnalia’, which originally commenced after the public banquet on the single day of 17th December. It was a strong emotive ritual exclamation which was used in announcing triumph or celebrating Bacchus and also as a joke. Saturnalia – Work of Macrobius, Latin Writer According to Roman mythology, Saturn seems to be an agricultural deity who it is believed to have reigned over the world during the Golden Age. Saturnalia, probably the best known Roman holiday, as a whole, is not detailed from beginning to end in any single ancient record. From modern understanding with regards to the festival, details have been gathered together from various accounts which have dealt with many aspects. Saturnalia was the work of a Latin writer, by the name Macrobius from late antiquity who is the major source of information regarding the holiday. According to one of the interpretation in Macrobius’s work Saturnalia is a festival of light leading to the winter solstice along with the presence of abundant of candles which symbolises the quest for knowledge and truth. With the renewable of lights as well as the coming of the New Year, it was celebrated in the later Roman Empire of Sol Invictus at the Dies Natalis as the `birthday of the unconquerable Sun’, on 25th December.
As mentioned in a previous post (see here), I organised a small banquet at home on the occasion of the Saturnalia festival. I love ancient Roman food, and I tried a few more ancient recipes for thi…
Find great deals on 'The Roman Festival of Saturnalia' Giclee Print by Severino Baraldi at AllPosters.com, with fast shipping, easy returns, and custom framing options you'll love!
“NIMROD” – The LORD of Christmas “Nimrod started the great organized worldly apostasy from God that has dominated this world until now. Nimrod married his own mother, whose …
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival honoring the agricultural god Saturn, occurred in mid-December. Saturnalia rituals later became Christmas traditions.
The ancient Romans had a festival for just about everything. The celebration of Saturnalia was a time of partying, debauchery, and general revelry.
Saturnalia – a Roman festival, celebrated on 17 December, originally for just one day, but eventually extending to a week (despite Augustus and Caligula trying to curtail it). The shout of …
Though not exactly the same as Christmas per se, Saturnalia was a holiday celebrated by Roman’s at around exactly the same time that involved giving gifts, so we think it’s okay to include it as part of our Christmas fact bonanza (we went there). The main difference between Saturnalia and Christmas was that it traditionally […]
History of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, with treatment of the celebration and its influence on Christmas.
Now the citrus season is in full swing, I am forever on the lookout for delicious ways to use the excess fruit. And while crostoli feature only a bit of zest, they are a worthy addition to my table. Crostoli come in many forms and are known by many names. It all depends on which part of Italy, or Europe, you are in. The notion of frying pieces of scented dough seems to date back to the Roman festival of Saturnalia. This could be why a similar treat is found all over Europe. But the Italians have made an art form of it.
Baba the cat is both storyteller and photographic model in what is perhaps the most unique cat history book ever published
Happy Saturnalia to all! Today, December 17, marks the beginning of the Saturnalia, a festival held in honour of Saturn that lasted for between 3 and 7 days. It originated as a farmer’s festival to…
Crochet pattern “Saturnalia sweater” (English version). SIZE: sweater, for regular height (162-170 cm/ 5.4 – 5.6 ft), size: XS (bust 79-84 cm/31-33 inch), S (bust 84-89 cm/33-35 inch), M (bust 89-94 cm/ 35-37 inch), L (bust 94-99 cm/37-39 inch), XL (bust 99-104 cm/39-41 inch). CROCHET LEVEL: easy+. FORMAT: PDF, 26 pages, 2.7 MB (mobile devices friendly). Language - English. The pattern is written using USA crochet terms. Contains written pattern of sweater with pictures, Row by Row photos (ap. 55). MATERIALS: 1. Yarn of group 3 DK & light worsted 120m (131yds) /50g (1.75oz): 450-500-500-550-600 g (16-17.5-17.5-19.5-21 oz). For example: KATIA Lopapeysa, SCHACHENMAYR Baby Smiles Merino Mix, SCHACHENMAYR Originals Universa, PATONS (UK) Diploma Gold DK, MONDIAL Merinos Extra, BERGÈRE DE FRANCE Idéal, PAINTBOX YARNS Wool Blend DK, CASCADE YARNS Pacific Sport, BBB FILATI New Master, WOOL AND THE GANG Sugar Baby Alpaca 2. Crochet hooks 3.5 and 4.0 mm. 3. Scissors. 4. Markers. 5. Measuring tape.
Saturnalia (also called Kronia) is a week-long festival in honor of Kronos (Latin: Saturn), the God of Agriculture, that celebrates liberation and freedom, including the freeing of the soul into im…