The Twelve Days of Christmas are a time full of customs and mysteries , between Christmas and Epiphany . Depending on the region, they are also often referred to as the Twelve Days of Christmas, Bell Nights, Inner Nights, or Under Nights.
For many centuries, these Twelve Nights have been a part of life for people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe. Depending on the region, they begin either on December 21st or 25th and last for twelve nights.
In this editorial, we take you on a journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas and their significance in our society – past and present. Discover the origins and traditions of this fascinating time, when animals speak and spirits roam.
The mysterious Twelve Days of Christmas and their meaning
The Rauhnächte (Twelve Days of Christmas) are a time steeped in myth, usually taking place between December 24th and January 6th, and have been celebrated by people for many years.
In some regions of Germany, many customs have developed over time that are associated with these nights. Farmers often use these days to rest and tend to their animals, as it is quieter in the fields at this time.
But the Twelve Days of Christmas are not only significant for life in the countryside; many traditions also take place in the city. For example, incense is burned to drive away evil spirits, or divination practices are performed to glimpse the future.
The number twelve plays a magical role, as it represents the twelve nights and thus also the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year.
Food and drink also play a special role during the Twelve Days of Christmas and are often prepared according to old recipes . Although these customs have changed over the years, they are still an important part of our lives today and remind us of our roots.
The origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas: An ancient Germanic tradition
The Twelve Days of Christmas have a long tradition dating back to Germanic times . Some interpretations point to Germanic winter and light festivals, while others mention Celtic and Slavic influences.
Some historians believe that the origin and significance of the number twelve lies in the transition from a lunar to a solar year during the reign of Julius Caesar (100–44 BC). This calendar change lengthened the year by eleven days, which corresponded to twelve nights and were then referred to as "dead days.".
At their core, all these origins share the belief that during this time the dividing line between the visible and invisible worlds was particularly thin. Therefore, the spirits of the deceased, ancestors, and nature spirits could wander freely and exert both positive and negative influences on the human world.
Even today, many customs are still observed during the Twelve Days of Christmas, such as burning incense or driving out evil spirits .
In many parts of Germany, there are different customs and traditions during the Rauhnächte (Twelve Days of Christmas), which are closely linked to the lives of the people and their society.
Over the years, some of these customs have changed or even been forgotten, but there are also new interpretations and modern customs in honor of the old traditions.
Origin of the term “Rau(h)”
The exact origin of the term "Rau(h)nächte" (Twelve Days of Christmas) remains unclear. Several theories suggest that the name may be related to the appearance of demons during this time or to the practice of fumigating the house.
However, another theory suggests that the term derives from the Old High German word “rauen” , which means something like “rough” or “wild” .
The Perchten and Krampus are closely associated with the Rauhnächte (Twelve Days of Christmas)
What do the 12 nights of Christmas symbolize?
The twelve nights of Christmas represent a special time in the cycle of the year , taking place between Christmas and Epiphany. During this time, the old year is symbolically bid farewell and the new year welcomed.
The custom of the Twelve Days of Christmas has a long tradition and dates back to Germanic and Celtic roots. During this time, various rituals were practiced to drive away evil spirits and to ask for good luck and blessings for the coming year.
These included, for example, burning herbs as incense, laying out protective symbols, or oracle practices.
The twelve nights of Christmas are often associated with the twelve months of the year , with each day representing a specific month. The idea is to be especially mindful on each day of the twelve nights and to attune oneself to the energies of the respective month.
December 27 – March: Opening oneself to others and one's inner self | Frankincense, juniper
December 28 – April: Trust your inner self | Frankincense, myrrh, fir
December 29 – May: Treat yourself, enjoy life | Frankincense
December 30 – June: Forgiveness, healing relationships | Mugwort, wormwood
December 31 – July: Perceiving your own feelings | white sage, camphor, pine wood
January 1 – August: Making decisions for the new year | Frankincense, myrrh, cedarwood
January 2nd – September: Examine and sort the impulses of the past few nights | Myrrh, Fir
January 3 – October: Becoming mindful of what is | Camphor, frankincense, juniper tips
January 4 – November: Be grateful for what is | Frankincense
January 5 – December: Recognizing the meaning of the impulses of the past nights | Frankincense, Myrrh
The following video introduction provides an informative insight into the respective meaning of these mystical days and how you can prepare for a transformative journey:
Bizarre rituals and customs – What happens during the Twelve Days of Christmas?
The belief in a connection between the real world and the afterlife led to some astonishing rituals and customs during the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Women and children should stay home in the evenings, laundry should not be hung out to dry, and the house should be kept tidy to ward off evil spirits. Whistling should be avoided in the early morning, as this could bring bad luck.
Slamming doors was associated with thunderstorms, and hair and nails were not to be cut during the Twelve Days of Christmas. These traditions have persisted for centuries or disappeared again.
The custom of blessing houses with holy water during the Twelve Days of Christmas has survived to this day. So have four other amazing customs that have made it into our modern times ( National Geographic reported).
The fumigation and exorcism of evil spirits
Burning incense and herbs to drive out evil spirits is one of the best-known customs during the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Burning herbs, resins, and woods during the 12 nights serves to cleanse the home of negative energies and charge it with positive energy for the coming year. This burning of incense has not only a physical cleansing function but also a spiritual purification.
Frankincense was primarily used in the past, but nowadays popular herbal mixtures include sage and palo santo. Pine resin (Burgundy resin), St. John's wort, mistletoe, mugwort, mullein, angelica root, yarrow, juniper tips, and mint are also popular.
The use of specific incense blends varies depending on regional tradition.
Oracle practices and prophecies
Besides exorcising evil spirits and burning incense, oracular practices and fortune-telling also play an important role during this time. In the past, these practices were particularly popular among farmers, as they provided insights into the coming year and thus influenced their lives.
Today, fortune-telling popular among broad segments of the population, as it offers an exciting opportunity to take a look into the future.
It is believed that the events and dreams during the Twelve Days of Christmas offer a glimpse into the coming year. Each of the twelve nights represents a month in the new year.
try to guess what the new year will bring using various methods such as tarot card reading or runestone castingPouring lead (nowadays more often tin or wax) is a popular year-end ritual originating in the ancient Twelve Days of Christmas. It has survived the ages and is still practiced today.
In an old ritual, the twelve days of Christmas also predicted the weather . This is an early form of a farmer's rule , like those we still use in everyday life today.
Animals as well : For example, the behavior of the rooster on the first day of the new year can tell you whether your life will improve in the coming year or not.
Dream interpretation
The same principle applies to the interpretation of dreams during the Twelve Days of Christmas: each night symbolizes a month in the coming year. It is now common practice to write down the dream upon waking and to check throughout the year what has come true.
The dreamer should pay particular attention to symbols, recurring situations, and emotions.
A detailed discussion of dream interpretation, its symbolism, and instructions for conducting your own dream analysis can be found at https://traum-deutung.de/12-naechte/
The Thirteen Wishes of the Twelve Days of Christmas
Another tradition is to write 13 wishes on small slips of paper .
Starting on December 25th, a slip of paper will be burned in a fire bowl every day so that higher powers can take care of fulfilling the wishes.
However, the last remaining 13th wish must be fulfilled by oneself.
The Perchtenlauf
This custom is still widespread in southern Germany and Austria and has its roots in ancient folk beliefs from before Christianization. It is said that between Christmas and New Year's, the gateway to the world of the dead opens, giving spirits and demons the opportunity to linger on Earth and harm people.
According to legend, this is why Frau PerchtFrau Holle in some places ) appears. She rewards diligence and order, while punishing disobedience and disorder.
Together with her entourage – the devil, the good Schönperchten (symbol of life, light and order), musicians, dancers and Schlenzern (who are meant to annoy the audience) – she drives away evil by ringing bells, drumming and other loud noises.
Perchten runs with frightening masks and fire are widespread in southern Germany and Austria
In modern Perchten runs, people gather wearing gruesome masks and fur coats. They chase away the spirits with cowbells, glockenspiels, drums, or switches. If a spectator is lightly struck by a whip, it is said to bring good luck, fertility, and health.
New Year's Eve fireworks developed from this tradition : The loud noise at midnight serves to keep malevolent spirits away from the coming year.
Until 2021, the folklore portal Krampuszeit.at on dates and events related to Perchten runs in Austria. Unfortunately, the editorial team is currently on hiatus, and we have been unable to find another central resource with an event overview.
For many Upper Austrian regions, Servus Magazine on the activities of devils, Perchten, and Berigln in December and January.
For information regarding Germany, it is best to consult the online edition of your local newspaper.
Special foods and drinks during the Twelve Days of Christmas
During the Twelve Days of Christmas, there are not only customs and oracular practices, but also special foods and drinks that are consumed at this time.
Sauerkraut and sausages are particularly popular dishes , but sweet treats like stollen or gingerbread are also a must.
These traditional foods often have a symbolic meaning for life during the Twelve Days of Christmas: Sauerkraut represents survival in winter and a long life, while the sweet taste of pastries promises good luck in the new year.
Certain drinks, such as mulled wine or mead, are also part of the tradition of the Rauhnächte (rough nights). Today, these specialties are still celebrated in many regions of Germany and serve as an important part of social life during this special time of year.
Regional differences in the harsh weather at night: From northern to southern Germany
During the Twelve Days of Christmas there are many customs that vary from region to region.
In northern Germany, these nights are often referred to as “twelve holy days” and are considered a time of purification and new beginnings.
In rural areas , people believe that animals can speak during this time and should be treated with special care. Farmers also use this period to replenish their supplies and prepare for the coming year.
In southern Germany, social customs play a more significant role. There, people go from house to house wishing everyone a happy new year while distributing four-leaf clovers or gingerbread.
What should you not do during the Twelve Days of Christmas?
According to popular belief, certain things should be avoided during the Twelve Days of Christmas.
For example, one should not wash or hang out laundry, as this could bring bad luck. Sewing or knitting should also be avoided so as not to disrupt the threads of fate.
Furthermore, one should not start any new projects or sign any contracts, as these might not last long during the turbulent time of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
It is advised to be especially careful and mindful during this time and to concentrate on one's own thoughts and dreams.
Visiting cemeteries or entering churches after midnight is also avoided. Instead, one can focus on cleansing rituals, purifying and energetically clearing the house. It is also a good time for meditation and reflection on the past year and future plans.
Overall, the aim is to respect the spiritual significance of the Twelve Days of Christmas and to embrace a calm and contemplative atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in the world of the mysterious Twelve Days of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas are a time rich in customs and traditions that are still observed in many regions of Germany today. These mystical days, during which the boundaries between the worlds are said to blur and spirits are believed to roam, last from December 24th to January 6th.
Over the centuries, people have developed various rituals to protect themselves from these evil forces or even to drive them out.
Today, life is not as strongly influenced by these customs as it used to be, but many people still remember the stories of their grandparents and at least partially maintain the traditions.
Taken together, the twelve days of Christmas represent a period in which people in numerous countries and regions of Europe strive to prepare for the coming year and to gather spiritual experiences.
Whether one believes in the magical value of these days or not, the Twelve Days of Christmas offer an opportunity for reflection, cleansing and realignment with regard to the coming year.
Anyone who is more interested in the Twelve Days of Christmas and their customs should definitely immerse themselves in this magical time between the years and experience what it's like to leave everyday life behind for twelve days and live entirely in the world of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.
We use technologies such as cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve your browsing experience and to display (non-)personalized advertising. If you consent to these technologies, we can process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this website. Refusal or withdrawal of consent may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always Active
Technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service expressly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a message over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that were not requested by the subscriber or user.
statistics
Technical storage or access that is solely for statistical purposes.Technical storage or access that is used solely for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, the voluntary consent of your internet service provider, or additional recording by third parties, the information stored or retrieved for this purpose cannot generally be used to identify you.
marketing
Technical storage or access is required to create user profiles, to send advertising, or to track the user on one or more websites for similar marketing purposes.
Fine Wine - Wall decoration made from wine bottles and wine glasses
