Yuletide Offerings 500 Piece

Yuletide Offerings - 500 Deluxe Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. The modern English word Yule derives from the Old Norse Jol, which refers to pagan feasts during the Germanic winter solstice. These would sometimes last twelve days and were later Christianized into Christmas.

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Yuletide Offerings 500 Piece Jigsaw

• Design By Celtic Artist Rachel Arbuckle
• Yuletide Offerings - the origin of modern day Christmas 
• 500 Piece Deluxe Jigsaw Puzzle
• Combines vibrant modern colors with celtic art

Details

• Size B
• 500 Pieces
• 36.5cm x 48cm
• 14.5" x 19" inches

Yuletide Offerings

The modern English word Yule derives from the Old Norse Jol, which refers to pagan feasts during the Germanic winter solstice. These would sometimes last twelve days and were later Christianized into Christmas.

They involved the giving of gifts, festive meals, decorated trees and colored lights to ward off evil spirits. Live evergreen trees were often brought into homes during the harsh winters as a reminder to inhabitants that soon their crops would grow again.

Holly was placed over doorways in the belief that it would ward off evil spirits: its berries were also thought to be a food of the gods. Legends refer to the battle between the Oak King adn the Holly King at Yule, in which the Holly King won.

Huge Yule logs were thrown onto bonfires to honor Thor, the god of thunder. Logs were cut into pieces and offered to each celebrant: they symbolically offered wealth and protection throughout the coming year.

There are numerous parallels between the Germanic god Odin and Santa Claus. Odin was said to have led great hunting parties through the sky during Yule. Old Norse poems describe Odin riding an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir that could leap great distances.

There are stories of children leaving boots filled with good near their chimneys for Sleipnir to eat: Odin would then reward thenm with gifts and candy.

There are obvious similarities with Santa's sleigh ride, his reindeer and the giving of presents..

Rachel Arbuckle

Dublin born artist Rachel Arbuckle graduated from Dublin's National College of Art and Design in 1990.

She has always been fascinated by our Celtic heritage. Inspiration found in the intricate knotwork adorning the ancient manuscripts, stone and metalwork, coupled with Rachel's love of a good story, have combined to produce some of the most popular images in contemporary Irish Celtic Art.

Mythologicial warriors rub shoulders with ancient historical figures and intertwine with animals, birds and fish rendered in the artist's unique style.

Her colors, though modern, emulate the softness of the natural pigments used by the Celts and a discerning eye will recognise shades of both Tuscany, where Rachel currently lives, and the Beara Peninsula, where she thrives on the rugged West Coas of Ireland.

Today her work is available worldwide, bringing a taste of Ireland to the four corners of the earth.