St Stephen's Day

[My Good Babushka]

is December 26th. It was considered a propitious day for phlebotomy. Horses were ridden to a sweat and then bled on this day because it was believed the practice would preserve their health in the new year.

I've got a lot of weird things to say and I've run out of people to tell them to, so sorry Lounge.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. not much to say but, I can add this --

[HarveyDarkey]

5. This was my first thought too

[Boom Sound 416]

7. Mine too

[OriginalGeek]

2. Hey if ya can't say weird things to the lounge,

platypus?

[Sanity Claws]

3. In Ireland, they do an annual bird count on St. Stephen's Day

There is also a legend regarding a wren on St. Stephen's Day in Ireland. Wish I could remember it.

[My Good Babushka]

4. I made a painting about St. Stephen, and all the lore I could find out.

St. Stephen was known as the patron saint of widows, so he is flanked by two women in Victorian mourning dresses. At the feet of the woman on the left sit three balls. St. Stephen is often depicted with three stones to indicate that he was put to death by stoning. Here the three balls stand in for the three stones.
The widow on the left is also holding a dead wren. According to lore, St. Stephen was about to escape his captivity when a wren woke up his captors. Since that time, a wren was caught and killed each St. Stephen's Day because it must now take a part of his martyrdom.
St. Stephen is often depicted as a young man holding a miniature church. Here he is depicted as a child, also holding a church in miniature. To the right of St.Stephen is a rocking horse with bleeding legs. St. Stephen's Day, in medieval through Victorian times, was a day to bleed horses in order to preserve their health in the coming year.
Ancient Welsh custom, discontinued in the 19th century, included the "holming" (beating or slashing with holly branches) of late risers and female servants. My widow on the right is holding a branch of holly to remind us of this forgotten tradition.
St. Stephen's Day is the day after Christmas, that is why the candles are just put out in the wreath at the center of the composition.
The "My Good Babushka" watermark in the picture is not on the actual, original painting, but is included here for security purposes.

[warrprayer]

8. your painting

... is without any question one of the most awesome things I have seen on this website.
Thanks for sharing it wiith us!

[My Good Babushka]

9. Thank you!

That's a really nice thing to say!

[warrprayer]

10. 100% for real!

looking forward to seeing more of your art!