Smoking Men Figurines Have Enjoyed An Intriguing Part In German History

Over a period of time lasting at least five millennia, incense, similar to gold, spices and jewels, has always been some of the most precious items that have been given to royalty and noblemen. It has also been directly connected with religion throughout history. In point of fact, the bible speaks of the Three Wise Men providing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The usage of incense is alive and well in a lot of German celebrations. Maintaining an enduring German custom, January 6th signifies the arrival of the Heilige Drei Konig or 3 Saint Kings festival. It's a state holiday in the German lands of Baden Wurttemberg, Sachsen-Anhalt and Bavaria.

The Raunachte is another intriguing time of the season. It gets started on Christmas Day evening and continues until January 6th. It includes 12 nights, the last 6 nights of the old year and the first 6 of the new year. Ancient beliefs and practices have developed around these twelve nights. In keeping with German folklore, Odin, the huntsman, is thought to move over the sky during these long winter nights, alarming every person who encounters him during his moves through the night. Not only is Odin on the prowl, Frau Holle, the hunter's wife, is thought to be too.

Quite possibly the most dreaded of all entities is Berchta. She is honored as the goddess of winter. She is apparently moves through the countryside and to enter homes on Twelfth Night. Berchta would find out whether or not children and younger servants had toiled hard all through the past year. They could be treated with a small silver coin if they had accomplished their tasks very well. If not, it was feared that she would most likely slash their bellies open and fill the opening with stones, twigs or straw. She was mainly concerned in seeing that young girls had spun their complete ration of thread all through the year.

Religious beliefs merged with superstition generated individuals who suspected that the wicked spirits of the Raunaechte (longest nights within the year) might be driven away by loud sounds and illumination. Once all of the wicked spirits had deserted the household, they would light incense to bless the residence. Lit incense would be carried to each room in the dwelling on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or the feast of Epiphany in hopes of driving off all traces of the bad spirits. These superstitions began the great importance of incense in Germany. All through this time period, incense was nearly always burned in the open, but it wouldn't take long until this procedure was altered.

After the end of the long 30 year war, the philosophy of medieval religious leaders and everyday men and women ended up being partnered to produce new ways involving burning incense. Smokers, also known as "Rauchermann", were invented. Smoking men are classic hand made wooden figurines that began in the Miriquidi Forest, which is now referred to as the Erzgebirge Mountains (Ore Mountains).

Many years in the past the hillside of the Erzgebirge Mountains used to be burrowed through in search of gold, tin ore and other minerals. The folk that would work in the mines all through the working day were likely to be discovered making wood toy figurines at night. Ultimately, when discovering precious metal in the mountain range began to be depleted, and the mines were closed, a large number of the miners started to be making wooden toys for an income.

Smoker figurines were an item the miners produced, and typically looked like miniature reproductions of individuals that lived or worked in the region, such as bakers, anglers, cooks as well as the town folk themselves.

One of Germany's most well known crafting families is the Steinbach family, that has been creating German folk art for five generations, has perfected the making of making nutcrackers and incense smokers. Each one of their creations are based on a particular German figure in detail. They all have their very own unique attributes. Steinbach and their smokers are known throughout the globe for having quality craftsmanship, know-how and giving great attention to every aspect.

Smokers have emerged as a favorite part of holiday traditions over the years. A lot of holiday enthusiasts now use Steinbach smoking men and nutcrackers to adorn their households throughout the holiday season. The next time you get a chance to examine a Steinbach incense smoker, give it a thorough going over. You might see quite a few exceptional aspects you never been aware of until now.

By: Kazz

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Visit a German Collectibles Haus to see the newest Steinbach Nutcrackers and Smokers for this holiday season.

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