Jul, julefrokost og nytår - en ritualanalyse

Abstract

The article assumes that a ritual's meaning should not be considered only in relation to a myth (or doctrine, or another form of language based meaning), but (1) that the ritual's form may be determined by its position among other rituals with which it may constitute a group of transformations; (2) that the ritual's meaning may not simply miorror a specific myth, but instead (or also) invert the myth. Examples are given from the Old Testament's system of rituals (Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread; Day of Atonement; Feast of Booths) and from the modern, Danish popular festivals around Christmas and New Year.