Himmeli facts for kids
Himmeli (from Swedish: himmel – "heaven" and "sky") are traditional Northern European mobiles made from reeds or straw decorated with pieces of wood, eggshells, bird feathers and yarn. The himmeli base shape consists of 12 fragments, which symbolize the 12 months. They are used as decorations from Christmas until Midsummer. Modern himmeli are also made of plywood, paper and even plastic straws. Their purpose is to ensure a good harvest in the following year, and it functions as a home for the crop spirit. It hangs from the ceiling over the dinner table. The larger the himmeli the larger the rye crop.
Modern practice
While himmelis are no longer standard in Finnish homes, some people have taken on the tradition and revitalized it. Eija Koski has published three books on the subject. In addition to increased popularity in their traditional form, himmelis have also experienced modern twists within the craft and décor community. Alternative materials such as straws and metal tubes have become common. Himmelis made out of metal tubes are sold as year-round décor as opposed to solely a Christmastime fixture. Sometimes they keep the same form as a mobile, but some retailers sell himmelis designed to hold air plants or potted plants. Himmelis have even made it into high-end design. Designer Paul Loebach used himmelis as inspiration for a line of pendant lights and his designs have also been recreated by other companies. Another way that himmelis have gained popularity is as a simple craft. While himmelis can be extremely intricate and complex, smaller versions are relatively easy to make, resulting in many websites creating how-to articles and suggesting it as a kid’s craft. Some websites give a list of materials, while other retailers sell prefabricated kits with all the necessary supplies.
Process
The process of creating a himmeli begins with the harvest. The best straw of the rye harvest is cut into sections about 6.5 feet long and laid out to dry. The rye changes from green to a golden brown and the process takes several weeks. Once dried, the rye is cut at the joints and separated into groups based on the thickness of the stalk. At this point the construction itself can begin. The straw is cut into sections of the desired length and thread is threaded through the hollow stems to join them together. The thread should be hidden within the straw and near invisible when viewing the himmeli.
Shape
Himmelis are geometric structures, with the main diamond pattern thought to be reminiscent of the shape of the fields that farmers used. The patterns vary from simple to extremely complex, from a diamond to an octahedron.[7] Regardless of the pattern, himmelis are symmetrical from their hanging points. Different patterns are created by the himmeli as it rotates.
