Hunting the wren
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Hunting the wren
Procession of the Wren Bush and Wren Boys in the Irish countryside on Saint Stephens Day (the day after Christmas) (picture 2 of 2). Date: 1850
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14270869
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1850 Bush Miscellaneous Procession Stephen Wren
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the lively and colorful tradition of Hunting the Wren on Saint Stephen's Day, a time-honored custom deeply rooted in Irish folklore. Set in the picturesque Irish countryside of the late 1800s, the scene unfolds on a bustling street where a procession of Wren Boys make their way through the village, leading a captive wren, symbolically hunted and revered as the 'King of All Birds' on this day. The Wren Boys, dressed in colorful costumes, wear masks and carry sticks adorned with ribbons, flowers, and feathers. They sing and dance, collecting offerings from the villagers as they go. The wren, perched atop a bush or a pole, is surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, some of whom join in the merriment while others watch in awe. The origins of this ancient custom are shrouded in myth and mystery, with some believing it to be a pagan tradition celebrating the sun's rebirth after the winter solstice. Others attribute it to the hunting of a real wren, which was believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Regardless of its origins, Hunting the Wren remains an integral part of Irish culture and a cherished holiday tradition. This photograph, taken in 1850, offers a rare glimpse into the past, transporting us back in time and inviting us to experience the magic and wonder of this unique Irish custom.
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