Christmas pagan memes have become increasingly popular in recent years on social media platforms. These memes often incorporate a mixture of traditional Christmas imagery and pagan symbolism. One of the most common themes in these memes is the use of the Yule log, a pagan tradition that predates Christmas. The Yule log was traditionally burned as a symbol of renewal and the return of the sun during the winter solstice. In these memes, the Yule log is often depicted alongside Santa Claus or other Christmas characters, creating a humorous juxtaposition between the pagan and Christian traditions. Another common theme in pagan Christmas memes is the incorporation of various pagan gods and goddesses.
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Mistletoe was seen as sacred by the Druids, but we have no sources indicating it was hung up or used in fertility rites, although it was seen as having properties relating to fertility. I have found a reference to one Horus being born on December 25th but I can t date it back earlier than a 1907 book whose purpose was to connect Horus to Jesus so I just don t find it at all credible.
Another common theme in pagan Christmas memes is the incorporation of various pagan gods and goddesses. For example, memes may feature Odin, the Norse god of wisdom and magic, riding alongside Santa in his sleigh. These memes playfully highlight the similarities between the two figures, such as their long white beards and association with gift-giving.
Living Liminally
I've started a new thing on my social media page, which I call "fight the bad meme", because it seems like every single pagan holiday that rolls around sees an influx of poorly researched memes purporting to 'educate' people about the real history of that holiday and it's traditions. Usually most to all of the information presented in the meme is utter bollocks. So after I've seen the bad info going around enough to think its probably catching on as urban legend-ish fact I'll research the actual history and then post a little educational blurb. After some thought I decided that its worth sharing that information here as well, because really the more the accurate information is spread the better.
- No, Horus wasn't born on Christmas Day. Neither Horus nor Osiris were born on or around December 25th. As far as I know the major deity births in the Egyptian pantheon were celebrated in early August and were tied to the cyclic flooding of the Nile. There are however more than a dozen figures named Horus in Egyptian mythology so it is not entirely impossible that one could have been celebrated on December 25th but it would have been an odd time given the way the calendar system worked - lunar based would have meant timing to a specific day each year in general would be unlikely*. I have found a reference to one Horus being born on December 25th but I can't date it back earlier than a 1907 book whose purpose was to connect Horus to Jesus so I just don't find it at all credible. I'll keep looking but as of now unless someone can show me actual evidence of an ancient pagan Egyptian festival on that date, I am standing by my statement that Horus was born on an epagomenal day, one of the five extra days in the Egyptian calendar year which occured in late August. Also Horus wasn't born of a virgin - since there's a story about a golden penis being involved in his conception its pretty clear on that point - Horus wasn't baptized, didn't have disciples, didn't raise a dead guy, wasn't crucified, and didn't have all the same epithets as Jesus. Horus does have some very interesting mythology, you should read up on him if it interests you.
- Kissing under the Mistletoe isn't a pagan holdover. Kissing under the mistletoe as far as I can find is a later practice, referenced in print to the 1800's, and is neither specifically Druidic nor Norse. Mistletoe was seen as sacred by the Druids, but we have no sources indicating it was hung up or used in fertility rites, although it was seen as having properties relating to fertility. It was hung in the middle ages by several western European cultures to ward off witches and baneful magic, but again no kissing underneath it. In Norse myth it was the plant used to kill the God Balder, and may or may not have become associated during the pagan period as symbol of peace (I can't track down anything definitive). Only during the Victorian period did a story emerge as far as I can find of Balder not dying/being resurrected and the mistletoe being a symbol of Frigga's joy at his return. And we all know what I think of the Victorians rewriting the myths. What is clear is that it was during this period that it became a Christmas practice to hang mistletoe and kiss beneath it, with a berry being removed for each kiss given, until all the berries were gone.
- There is no Scandinavian fertility God named Yule - Yule, in Norse Jol, is the name of the midwinter holiday and is applied to deities like Odin as byname, as in "Jolfadr" but is not itself the name of a God.
- The Oak and Holly Kings don't pre-date 1948. The oak and holly kings are thoroughly modern and neither ancient nor Celtic, although they are based on older motifs. The idea for the two kings comes from Robert Graves book "The White Goddess", not from pagan Irish or Celtic culture.
*I'm editing to clarify for those who may not be understanding my larger point here - I am not contesting that the motif of seasonal rulers fighting for dominion of portions of the year exists historically. However my point remains, and I stand by it, that the Oak King and the Holly King as named personages do not pre-date Robert Graves book. There are multiple memes circulating that claim explicitly that they do, and arguing that a modern creation based on older motifs is itself ancient is akin to arguing that since modern paraffin candles are based on older theories paraffin candles are ancient, even though paraffin wasn't invented until the 1850's.
- Christmas Trees are a 16th Century Protestant Christian Tradition - I hate to ruin everyone's "they stole our pagan traditions" fun but the Christmas tree as it is today is a Christian thing developed in Protestant Germany circa the 16th century. The practice of bringing in evergreen boughs and such to decorate is far older and can be found in cultures from China to Egypt to Europe, and seems to represent a basic human urge to be reminded that life still exists in the depths of winter. It is also clearly true that trees in general were sacred in several pagan faiths and specific sacred trees, groves of trees and the concept of a world tree can be found in both Celtic and Norse pagan religions, as well as the use of carved God posts or God poles. But the killing an evergreen tree and decorating it at midwinter thing simply has no evidence to back it up prior to about 500 years ago. This does not however diminish the sacred symbolism of trees in paganism, or the value of the practice in modern paganism . I suspect it was a conflation of the older pagan veneration of trees and the practice of decorating with evergreen boughs with the later Christian practice of bringing in a tree and decorating it that caused the confusion with this one.
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Some pagan Christmas memes also poke fun at the commercialization of the holiday. These memes may feature images of pagan deities holding shopping bags or making snarky remarks about the materialistic nature of modern Christmas celebrations. These memes serve as a reminder to not get too caught up in the consumerism of the holiday and to remember the deeper, more spiritual origins of Christmas. Overall, pagan Christmas memes provide a humorous and unique way to celebrate the holiday season. They combine traditional Christmas imagery with pagan symbolism in a way that is both funny and thought-provoking. These memes often highlight the connections between different cultural traditions and remind us to appreciate the deeper meanings behind our holiday celebrations..
Reviews for "Xmas Pagan Memes: Keeping the Holiday Spirit Alive"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Xmas Pagan Memes" to be childish and offensive. The jokes were tasteless and lacked any sort of humor. The memes seemed like a desperate attempt to shock and provoke rather than entertain. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to read "Xmas Pagan Memes" as I enjoy a good meme and Christmas humor. However, I found this book to be quite disappointing. The majority of the memes were not funny and felt forced. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to be edgy and controversial, but failed to deliver any real comedic value. I was left feeling underwhelmed and regretful of my purchase.
3. Mike - 1.5 stars
"Xmas Pagan Memes" was just not my cup of tea. The content felt juvenile and low-quality. The jokes were predictable and lacked originality. I found myself cringing more often than laughing while reading this book. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for clever and witty Christmas humor.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I picked up "Xmas Pagan Memes" hoping for some light-hearted and funny content. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The memes were repetitive and unoriginal, and the humor was lacking. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be funny and missed the mark completely. I found myself quickly bored and uninterested in the content of this book. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me.