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Painting

Carl Larsson, Saint Lucia, 1908, watercolour.

national Swedish symbol that is Dal’skaya The artist placed this image on the cover of the ancient tradition and being really
painted pony. The tradition to colour ponies, the Christmas number of the journal “Idun” fabulous is St. Lucia’s holiday. This day
to be more exact, to draw waves on them, in 1899. The patron of the eternal youth is of 13th December is celebrated in the
appeared not long ago, only in early XIX portrayed as a girl in a national costume Scandinavian countries, in particular,
century. resembling a heroine from the New Year though its origin comes from sunny Sicily.
Carl Larsson’s watercolour images quite fairy tale [2, P.524]. The painter’s red-haired St. Lucia celebration is connected with
often have the tint of souvenir folk toys. daughter Brita in a bright scarlet national an old legend. Nowadays Lucia image is
For example, it is the watercolour “Brita dress and a big cap is holding a basket that considered to be the embodiment of spiritual
in Indunn’s Role”. Goddess Idunn in the is full of apples. The whole image of this pureness. Her costume is a long white dress
Scandinavian mythology was the patron girl contains distinctive folk colour as if tied with a red ribbon, her head is adorned
of the eternal youth and the keeper of the ancient Scandinavian legend regained with flower crown with candles that is the
wonderful rejuvenating apples. Idunn gave the former power and significance, and old symbol of guiding light.
golden apples from her endless chest, thanks Vikings’ customs were re-embodied. The custom to dress a little girl as Lucia
to which Gods retained the eternal youth. Another festive occasion having absorbed came from Germany. There, in XVI—XVII

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