![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/12\/512px-Schwibbogen.jpg\")
Traditional Schwibbogen. Oliver Merkel, Merkel.Oliver@web.de, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
History & meaning of the Schwibbogen<\/h3>\n
The tradition of the Schwibbogen originated in Germany\u2019s Erzgebirge<\/strong> (Ore Mountains), with the earliest known Schwibbogen dating back to 1740. It is said to have been designed by and for the Bergarbeiter<\/strong> (miners) in that region, specifically for their Mettenschicht<\/strong> (Christmas shift), the last shift of the year. The Schmied<\/strong> (blacksmith) responsible for crafting mining tools likely created it out of metal, to be used as a candle holder. This is why the original Schwibbogen is made of metal, though nowadays they are commonly made of wood and other materials.<\/p>\n The design of the Schwibbogen developed over time, with figures being added that depicted the miners themselves, and symbols of Christmas time, such as angels and trees. The arch of the Schwibbogen is said to depict the entrance to the mines, and the candles to represent the light the miners needed to work underground.<\/p>\n One of the most famous Schwibbogen designs was by Paula Jordan in 1937. Her design included the following:<\/p>\n Der Bergarbeiter (miner) One variation of the Schwibbogen is die<\/strong> Lichterspitze<\/strong> (\u2018light peak\u2019), a pyramid-shaped set of candles, often with a festive figurine or nativity scene in the middle.<\/p>\n Lichterspitze (right and left), Schwibbogen (centre). Devilsanddust, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Today, the design of the Schwibbogen varies greatly, with some more traditional than others. In addition, some use real candles, whilst others are battery-operated. Many German Christmas markets will sell Schwibbogen that are unique to the local town, depicting famous landmarks of the region, for example. You can also buy all manner of Schwibbogen online \u2013 there is a design and a style for everybody!<\/p>\n Wooden Schwibbogen, featuring R\u00e4ucherm\u00e4nnern (smoking men – for incense) and a Nussknacker (nutcracker). The Schwibbogen were originally placed in the windows of people\u2019s homes in the Ore Mountain region to guide miners back home after their shifts. Today, they remain a nice way to bring light into the darkest time of the year.<\/p>\n I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. If you have, you might like these, too:<\/p>\n Barbarazweig<\/a> As always, please leave any comments in the comment box below. Frohe Weihnachten!<\/p>\n Constanze<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guten Tag and Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas)! Today we\u2019re continuing with our festive theme and some of Germany\u2019s December\/Christmas traditions. Today\u2019s post is all about the Schwibbogen. Der Schwibbogen A Schwibbogen is a decorative German candle arch, often seen in the windows of German homes around Christmas time. History & meaning of the Schwibbogen The…<\/p>\n
\nDer Schreiner (carpenter)
\nDer Spitzenkl\u00f6ppler (bobbin lace maker)
\nDer Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree)
\nDer Hammer (hammer)
\nDas Schwert (sword)
\nDer Engel (angel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/12\/1024px-Schwibbogen_Fenster.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/12\/1024px-Seiffen_Volkskunst_08_2006-11-30.jpg\")
Norbert Kaiser, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
\nThe Christmas tree in German history<\/a>
\nThe origin of the snow globe<\/a>
\nFestive German drinks<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/12\/512px-Schwibbogen-350x263.jpg\")