Weinachtspyramide

Lest the newbies think I moan about Germany I would like to inform them of one of the nicest things about the coming winter season which I personally like very much: the tradition in Germany of lighting candles round a rotating crib whcih is pushed by convection on blades at the top. I will post a pic if anyone is interested. We found a beautiful one for 3 Euros at a country flea market which ran on beeswax candles. My wife tells me they come from the Erzgebrge area of Germany.

Does anyone know anything about the traditions behind them? Weinachstpyramide?

They evolved about 1850 in the Erzgebirge, a mining region on the border between Germany and Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Most have figurines of miners or other local trades besides angels, some have horses. The shape is based on the horse-gin or horse-powered capstan which stood over the mines to pull up loads, hence the turning bit. I have heard that disabled miners would carve these pyramids when they couldn't work in the mines anymore but needed the income.
More info under www.originales.de

Just want to add one little correction there...the Erzgebirge is still part of Germany (located in the south of Saxony)

Its one of my favorite traditions that me and my family still keep alive (well not the carving of these but putting them all up - pyramids, schwibbogen (candlearches), nutcrackers and so forth)

All these wood carvings were created by miners and there families to top up their income when they could not get into the mines and to get through the tough winter months, to make it a bit more bearable and to bring light into their homes.

I am glad you like them. In my opinion, it makes the Erzgebirge one of the most beautiful places to be in during christmas time.

I guess she meant Bohemia is now part of Czech

but it's not just the newbies is it...

ah well...just to clarify then

even the Germans moan about Germany...its what we do best

Oh! Is this like the thing my in-laws fire up at Chrimbo with multiple candles and it spins round with lots of sheep figures, Etc.? I've always called it "The Holy Helicopter".

I'll have you know I was the originator of the "What have the Americans given us" series which everyone copied!

@sin - from now on it will be called the holy helicopter in our house!

These are also on the thread of good gifts to bring people back home.