Candles and Hygge: The Danish Philosophy of Coziness
"Danish flag photo by Mark König on Unsplash
My unconditional love for Danish candles led me to discover a little about the concept of Hygge, a philosophy that places great emphasis on candles.
The word Hygge has its origins in Norwegian and Old Norse, meaning to seek refuge, protection and shelter from the outside elements.
The term came into use in the Danish language in the 18th century and is now an integral part of Danish culture.
Hygge is a way of life that makes ordinary moments special, enjoyable and meaningful.
Hygge is not an activity, but rather a mindset that makes ordinary moments special, enjoyable and meaningful. Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute and author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to a Happy Life, describes it as creating a cozy and comforting physical environment with soft blankets, warm drinks and, most importantly, candles. He says, “ Hygge has been called everything from ‘the art of creating intimacy’ to ‘coziness of the soul’ to ‘the absence of hassle.’”
Hygge celebrates the little joys in life, providing an opportunity to relax and slow down. Hygge is about creating a comforting social and emotional environment by surrounding yourself with loved ones and engaging in enjoyable activities.
Lighting is a key element of hygge, with 85% of people associating it with candles. Denmark uses more candles per person than any other country in the world, and 28% of Danes light candles every day.
The power of candles comes from the warm, comforting atmosphere they provide, with their natural light reducing stress and improving emotional well-being. In Denmark, they place candles everywhere, from their meeting rooms to their bedrooms and classrooms.
In Danish, candles are called levende lys or "living light," and their warm glow brings a sense of comfort.
Candles are a “hygge moment.” They provide natural light and make us feel better than using an electric light. If you find candles too dim, there’s a simple solution: light more!
Embracing Hygge means creating a warm, welcoming environment and engaging in enjoyable activities with loved ones. It’s about celebrating the little joys in life and finding comfort and happiness in everyday moments.
Hygge can be easily incorporated into most people’s routines. It also offers a haven in the middle of real life. There’s a slice of peace that comes from giving yourself permission to simply be comfortable, peaceful, and a little indulgent in a specific moment.
This post is just a simple introduction to what hygge means, and I would like to show you in a future post tips on how to apply this philosophy in your daily life and make each moment special and meaningful.