Traditional brass seven-light Lucia chandelier. The crown can be dressed in cranberry rice and red ribbons, or worn as is in all its glory. The chandelier is adjustable to fit any normal-sized female head. The holders for the candles are about 20 mm and are flexible in their design so that they can be bent to fit the candle. The brass crown is soft so if you want to make it fit better, you can gently(!) press on the sides to make it a bit oval and shaped to your head.
Watch the Lucia crown being carried by Jonna Jinton through the forests of Ångermanland:
The origins of the Lucia spirit we find in the legend of Saint Lucia from Sicily, whose name means "light". In the Nordic countries, 13 December was a special day even before the tradition of the Lucia procession and the light-bringing woman with the Lucia crown emerged.
The oldest record of a light-adorned Lusseau bride is from Horn outside Skövde in 1764. During the 19th century, the custom spread to the university towns and in the 1890s Skansen organised a Lucia celebration to showcase provincial festive traditions. Lucia appeared alone or with a couple of companions.
The Lucia tradition, which originally occurred around the winter solstice when the night of Lucia was the longest and darkest night of the year, has also strong roots in our Nordic folklore. The night of the lull marked the turning point, the night when the common people could look forward to brighter times. The crown of St Lucia and its light symbolises just that, the rebirth of light. The victory of light over darkness.