Tuesday 16 November 2010

Burning - Illustration Friday


I believe it's a little bit early to start with Christmas now. I did this one last week, planning on making some Christmas cards. But this week the theme on Illustration Friday is "Burning", and I thought Saint Lucia with her candles in her hair is a good interpretation of that.

For you who never have experienced a "Saint Lucia train" here's some facts from Wikipedia.

"In Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Finland, Lucy (called Lucia) it is venerated on December 13 in a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia song while entering the room, to the melody of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia; the Italian lyrics describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness. Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia. A similar version occurs in Scandinavian communities and churches in the United States."

8 comments:

  1. A beautiful painting the little Saint Lucia seems to be taking her role seriously. Gosh I really need to get round to painting my christmas cards.

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  2. This is so wonderful! So very moving too. I love all the beautiful detail in this illustration.

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  3. I remember that from when I was a little girl - though my mom felt that candles anywhere near our blond heads was just asking for trouble - we had the kringel, with candles, and always sang in Italian, though we are Estonian. Hmmm... Lovely feeling of floating, in the image.

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  4. This is adorable Maja! I love when tjhe kids at our church put on a Christmas presentation. Your illustration has captured it perfectly! Nice work!!

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  5. so cute. love the expression on their faces.

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