![]() For me the biggest clue for a possible connection is that children are otherwise forbidden to gamble. Everyone else does gamble more during the Christmas season as well, generally, but it is not part of the formal festivities like the modern dreidel is for Hanukkah. (Also, I have a theory that there is some kind of connection here to why Jewish children are allowed to gamble on Hanukkah, but for now it's pure speculation on my part. We even know some of the games they played and how to play them. Women and children engaged in the activity as well. All 7 of the deadly sins got their chance to shine, really, but gambling was especially popular. But it is hardly something one thinks about in 2020 when one lists off Christmas traditions, and was never part of properly celebrating Christmas itself, merely being something people did during the Christmas season.Īnother huge aspect of Saturnalia was the freedom of slaves to participate in otherwise forbidden activities like gambling and other vices. ![]() This tradition may have survived as late as the 17th century in Britain, when it was outlawed, under the name " Lord of the Misrule". It became, instead, a time for riotous living and instead of freedom for all, it became a time to throw off all societal norms.Ī commoner would be chosen to be the king during the festivities, who would make ridiculous commands like asking someone to sing a song naked, or making everyone walk backwards until the next meal. Pilleus hats were for the free to wear.) But it was far from an idealistic utopia. (I thought it odd that some articles said these hats were the hats worn by slaves and everyone wore them as a sign of equality, but this is not only not true, it goes against the main theme of Saturnalia, remembering the Golden Age when there were no slaves. The pilleus hats worn by freedmen the rest of the year were especially popular during Saturnalia when all could wear them. ![]() In the spirit of remembering the Golden Age, slaves and masters became equal temporarily, and masters would even serve their slaves dinner, and an abundance of food would be served. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |