You may not know this, but for millennia, fire has been at the center of British life. Apart from the obvious (using it for warmth and for cooking), it is actually almost worshipped in national traditions and holidays. To explore this a bit further, I’ve pulled together a few traditions that might interest you!
The Wicker Man
Early traditions based on fire were rather scary (as anyone who watched the movie, The Wicker Man (1973) can attest). The Celts purportedly rounded up human and animal sacrifices to entomb in a large wickerwork figure. The figure was set alight and the ashes of the sacrifices were spread on fields to help crops grow.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ahu2Ak2OlDQ?si=DbfnLUIuY-DU0QtZ
Tar Barreling
A relic of the 1600s in the town of Ottery St.Mary, a tradition of carrying lit tar barrels around town is upheld by local residents. The men’s event includes a total of 17 barrels being lit outside of each of the four pubs in town. The barrels increase in size up to about 66 pounds and are carried through the town center in a very risky display! Often, the barrel runners sustain burns to their hands and necks as they race around with the lit barrels on their backs. There doesn’t appear to be any related history to the reasons behind the event. Just another reason for the British to play with fire!
https://youtu.be/QRYh-Sq5IlM?si=EgxaiBRUDBriirBv
Up Helly Aa
A relatively late Viking fire festival was created in 1881 and is called Up Helly Aa. The (loose) translation from Norse is “Uppi” – the sense of something being at an end, Helly or “Helgi” refers to a holy day or festival and aa may represent “all”. In the darkest part of winter in the Shetland islands on the last Tuesday in January, a yule tradition is brought back to life. In this festival, the “Guizer Jarl” is the principal character and takes the name of a character in Norse Legend. Sort of like Mardi Gras, there are squads that support the procession through town (their principal squad is the Jarl Squad whose participants are called Guizers). The intention of the squads is to set alight a replica of a Viking longship. Once lit and as the flames die down, the Guizers sing the traditional song “The Norsemans’s Home” before going on to a night of partying. The display of fire throughout the ceremony against the withering winter ice and snow is particularly amazing!
https://youtu.be/ivktv4OMhcQ?si=BDagjSqceMgNKlaD
Guy Fawkes
Probably the best-known fire festival in Britain (and the world) is Guy Fawkes, or Bonfire, night. The short story is that young children burn the effigy of a traitor from the 1600s as the culmination of a night of fireworks and parties. This all takes place on November 5th, the same night as Tar Barreling. Many towns have large festivals celebrating this event. Guy Fawke’s Night is depicted throughout the movie “V for Vendetta” as a noble rebellion against evil authoritarian parties.
https://youtu.be/iDDJRjPQQUM?si=9uDPhJNAi3_H5bwC
Christmas Pudding
Originating in the 14th century as a sort of porridge, the Christmas pudding (dessert) has evolved to the one we know of today as a sort of steamed fruitcake.
The pudding is doused in spirits (typically brandy) which is then lit and served at the table after a Christmas dinner.
The flaming brandy is said to represent the passion of Christ. And should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his Disciples. Every member of the family should take turns stirring the pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west in honor of the Wise Men.
https://youtu.be/dQV0xFjCfFs?si=aW0d06yTWMXhZkBm
Summary
It’s pretty clear that the British are an arsonist society using history as an excuse to light up everything from tar barrels to cakes. Thank goodness they’ve left behind the Celtic tradition of burning people (we think)! Just when you think the British are so much like us, they surprise you with astounding fire festivals and burning spirits.