Across the numerous, often ambiguous and always fascinating stories of Lucia, the Sicilian virgin saint who rejected her suitor and gave her dowry to the poor, the one constant is her association with light, clarity, and vision.

As patron saint of sight—often depicted holding a platter with eyes, her attribute—Lucia protects her Catholic devotees from vision problems/eye diseases. And in Scandinavian countries where Lucia is highly venerated, Sweden especially, her feast day celebrations evoke ancient, heart-of-winter rites meant to illuminate the year’s longest nights. These Lucia festivities, known as Luciafirande, include processions of young women dressed in white who sing Lucia songs and carry candles in her honor.

In folkloristic terms, Lucia figures alongside other Saint Nicholas companions this time of year (indirectly, as she is not part of his processional entourage), characters like Krampus, the red-tongued devilish punisher of bad children, and La Befana, Italy’s frumpy, raggedy Christmas witch who flies around the world on Epiphany eve. Interestingly, Lucia shares qualities with both: depending on the version of the story, Lucia sometimes rides a broom (like La Befana); while in some Swedish traditions, young people dressed as Lucia go about scrounging for schnapps, not unlike their far-creepier counterparts in the Krampus procession.

In Scandinavian tradition, Lucia has a dark sister known as Lussi, a Nordic winter witch said to roam the skies on Lussinatt (“Lucy Night” or winter solstice, traditionally) punishing children and harming livestock. For some, pagan Lussi and Christian Lucia represent dark and light, respectively. Both names actually derive from the Latin word for light, yet for many the name Lussi in particular has become identified with Lucifer (“he who brings light”), leading to popular beliefs connecting her to the underworld and darkness. Lucia, on the other hand, remains consistently associated with whiteness and purity in her various (particularly Catholic) depictions.

The definitive treat to enjoy during Lucia festivities are Lussekatter, or “Lucy cats”, saffron buns made with raisins meant to recall eyes. 

pictured: my first and only attempt at homemade Lussekatter (2015)