Julleuchter facts for kids
A Julleuchter (meaning "Yule lantern") is a type of candle holder. It was first made in Sweden in the 1500s. Later, it was redesigned and produced in Nazi Germany. It is also sometimes called a Turmleuchter, which means "tower lantern."
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Swedish Candle Holder
The original Julleuchter, kept in the Nordic Museum, is about 15 centimeters (6 inches) tall. Its base is a square, about 8.2 centimeters (3.2 inches) on each side.
This candle holder has a heart shape carved into it. Below the heart, it has an opening with six spokes, like a star. In 1888, a Swedish magazine described this candle holder. It said the six-spoked window looked like an old medieval rune symbol called the "h-rune." The article also said the candle holder was from the 1500s. This was when candles first started to be used in homes in Sweden.
There are other similar candle holders from Sweden that still exist today. One was shown at the Skansen open-air museum.
Nazi Symbolism and Beliefs
The article about the Julleuchter caught the attention of Herman Wirth. He was interested because of the "Hagal rune" symbol on its base. This symbol then became part of Germanic mysticism during the Nazi era.
In 1936, Heinrich Himmler, a leader in Nazi Germany, made a list of approved holidays. These holidays were partly based on old "pagan" traditions. One of these was a "Julfest" (Yule festival). It was meant to replace Christian Christmas celebrations. The Julleuchter and other symbols were also used to help women who married into the SS (a Nazi organization) feel connected to something, since they had to leave their church. SS soldiers were told to set up a special area in their homes with a Julleuchter.
An article about the Julleuchter was published in a German magazine called "Germanien" in December 1936. The article said this "very old" lantern was a reminder of a time when people from the north moved around a lot. Another article about it appeared in the SS magazine SS-Leitheft. In 1939, Fritz Weitzel also wrote about the Julleuchter in his book, "Celebrations of the SS Family."
The "Germanien" magazine claimed the Julleuchter was a symbol of light winning over darkness. It also said it stood for a strong community and never-ending sunlight. The magazine stated that during the Yule holiday (which is like the 12 days of Christmas), twelve candles were used. One candle was lit each night, representing the twelve months. On December 31st, a thirteenth candle was lit for the new month of January.
Use in Himmler's SS
The SS-Julleuchter was seen as a special award or trophy for members of the German Schutzstaffel (SS). It was given out from about 1936 to 1944. The Allach porcelain company made these candle holders. Any SS member who took part in a Julfest could receive one.
Heinrich Himmler first wanted to give a Julleuchter to all SS members. There were no special rules for getting one at first. But by the start of World War II, the Julleuchter began to be seen as an SS award. It was even recorded in SS service records. However, the SS-Julleuchter was not something you could wear on an SS uniform.
Even as the war was ending, the Julleuchter was still used. It was used when French volunteers in the Waffen-SS received awards. One soldier remembered a ceremony where, in the light of a Julleuchter, comrades were given the Iron Cross.
SS Julfest
The Julfest was a special celebration for SS families. It was meant to be full of surprises. The father would light the candle in the Julleuchter. Then, the candles on the Yule tree would be lit from it. The Julleuchter was a very important symbol for the SS family throughout the year. It was used for celebrations and to remember things.
The heart shape on the Julleuchter stood for home and family. The Hagal Rune symbol meant peace through victory. After the candles on the Yule tree burned down, the SS man would place the Julleuchter on the table. Its candle had been lit at every family celebration that year. When the old candle burned down, a new one was put in its place. This was like how old ancestors kept their cooking fires burning. The Julleuchter was a symbol of never-ending sunlight.
Made in the Allach Factory
In January 1936, the SS started the Allach Porcelain Factory in Munich. Heinrich Himmler controlled it. Famous artists were made to work there. The factory made over 240 different porcelain and ceramic items. Because it grew so quickly, the factory couldn't make enough products. So, in October 1937, some production moved to a part of the Dachau concentration camp that the SS ran.
At first, the Allach factory only made art items like plates and vases. But during the war, they also made simple things like containers for ointments and cafeteria dishes. They also made special gifts for SS supporters. From 1941, German civilians and about 50 prisoners from the Dachau concentration camp were made to produce art and porcelain. The factory in the town of Allach was updated to make things like household pottery. The Allach factories closed in 1945 when Nazi Germany fell.
Allach porcelain made many different candle holders. They ranged from fancy, decorated ones to simple white ones. More candle holders were made than other Allach items. This shows they were popular. The different styles and low cost (because people were made to work there) meant many Germans could own them.
The Allach factory officially registered the Julleuchter design in Berlin on January 16, 1936. The Allach Julleuchter was special. It was given to SS officers to celebrate the winter solstice. Later, all SS members received one on December 21st. The Julleuchter was made of unglazed stoneware. It was decorated with old pagan Germanic symbols.
Important People Who Received It
- Hans Baur
- Amon Göth
- Heinrich Himmler
- Ernst Kaltenbrunner
- Josef Albert Meisinger
- Oswald Pohl
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See also
In Spanish: Julleuchter para niños
