Happy Yule… With Goats

In Sweden, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the traditional Yule Goat—or Julbocken. The origins of the Yule Goat aren’t exactly clear. Some seem to think there’s a connection between the Yule Goat and Thor’s goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, who pulled the thunder god’s chariot. There’s another theory of the last sheaf of grain in a harvest having magical properties. I like this theory, as it rather explains why Yule Goats are made of straw.

“Julbocken” by John Bauer

An older Yule Goa...