Kyndelsmässodagen – and no name celebrated • Name scientist: is about past traditions
In six of this year’s 365 days, no one celebrates its name day.
And today, the very Kyndelsmässod Day, is one such day.
“There are flashes back to the previous traditions,” says Katharina Leibring, associate professor of Nordic languages and research archivist at Isof.
New Year’s Day (1/1), Kyndelsmässod Day (2/2), Marie Annunciation Day (25/3), Johannes Baptism Day (24/6), Halloween Day (1/11) and Christmas Day (25/12) all have something in common – none Has naming day.
But why is it so?
-Those who made the name length in the late 1990s wanted links back in time, says Katharina Leibring.
Since 2001, most Swedish calendars have been using the same name length, ie the number of names represented in the calendar and which have been developed by the Swedish name length committee. Today, there are a total of 627 names, of which 310 names are usually worn by women and 317 names most often worn by men.
“Flashing backwards”
The fact that some days lacks names is thus because the name length committee, which Katharina Leibring herself is included in, wanted to preserve certain days.
-They are flashes back to previous name lengths, to the previous traditions, says Leibring, and aims that Sweden was a much more Christian country when the first name length was presented in the 18th century.
Kyndelsmässodagen, for example, celebrates that the Virgin Mary 40 days after Jesus’ birth brought him in the temple. Marie Annunciation Day is also an annual Christian celebration celebrated nine months before Christmas, the day when the Virgin Mary was told she was pregnant. John the Baptist’s Day marks the birth of the Jewish Prophet whose fate is portrayed in the gospels of Jesus.
General Name Day
In 1972, the monopoly was abolished on the Swedish name length, which allowed everyone to find their own name length.
And since the 1990s there is also a general name day, for those who have none.
– It falls on New Year’s Day. Those who do not find their name in the calendar can always celebrate then, says Katharina Leibring.