Contest of Germania
The Yule Log Decorating Contest
Final Judging: Dec 29, 2006 - 00:00 est.

General Contest

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CONTEST DESCRIPTION AND RULES:

It's another Decorating Contest! *yay*

The ancient tradition of burning the Yule Log began as a celebration of the winter solstice. This is the longest night of the year, and marks the return of the sun’s light – which means that days will finally begin to lengthen! Burning the Yule Log marks the sun’s victory over the dark. The ceremonies and beliefs associated with the Yule Log's sacred origins are closely linked to representations of health, fruitfulness and productivity. Different regions observe this occurrence in different ways. Here are some regional traditions regarding the Yule Log:

• England
  
  The Yule Log was chosen with several factors in mind, one of them being that it had to burn throughout the 12 days of Christmas. Therefore, it was usually very large and heavy and was dragged home by oxen or horses as the people walked alongside singing merry songs. The Yule Log was then decorated with evergreens and sprinkled with grain and cider and was lit with much ceremony. Personal faults, mistakes and bad choices were burned in the flame so everyone's new year would start with a clean slate.



• Yugoslavia
  
  The Yule Log was cut just before dawn on Christmas Eve and carried into the house at twilight. The wood itself was decorated with flowers, colored silks and gold, and then doused with wine and an offering of grain.



• France
  
  In the area known as Provence, families would go together to cut the Yule Log, singing as they went along. These songs asked for blessings to be bestowed upon their crops and their flocks. The people of Provence called their Yule Log the tréfoire and, with great ceremony, carried the log around the house three times and christened it with wine before it was set ablaze.
  
  In modern times, and with the wane of the large hearth fire, a newer and more delicious tradition has been taken up. It seems to originate in France, where the Yule Log, or Bûche de Noël, is now made as a yummy dessert. It is still intended as a tradition for family and friends to gather round the table at Christmas and tell stories and celebrate the holiday.

• Potassium Nitrate = Violet
• Borax = Vivid Green
• Copper Sulphate = Blue
• Table Salt = Bright Yellow

Below, you will find three templates (provided by Carmilla Van Hasding -- thank you!) that you may use for your decorations. If you have another image you'd like to use, please feel free to do so. You may use the traditions mentioned above, or you may invent your own tradition! Your creativity is your only limit.

Your submissions must be in by the deadline of December 29th, 2006 at 22:00 hours (5:00 PM) AW time (EST) and posted here. Any entries with a time stamp later than the deadline will be enjoyed, but not considered for prizes. And speaking of which, there will be three prizes awarded: First Place, Second Place and Third Place. The judge for this competition is ToBe Named. Any bribing of the judge will be considered cause for disqualification -- as will any heckling. This contest is for fun, so everybody smile and have a good time. *g*

Here are your templates. Now, GO FORTH AND CREATE!