Sauna Bath

The history of sauna is really rather interesting. And if you're here reading this page, then you already have a general idea of what a sauna is after having read the "What is a Sauna Bath article". Here though, we're going to take a slightly different perspective and give you some other bits and pieces of the history of sauna. More particularly, we're going to take a jaunt down the path of sauna traditions and old beliefs.

The history of sauna shows that in Estonia and Finland, having a sauna regularly (as part of their prevailing culture) was considered to be an ancient custom. Saunas indeed were considered to be holy places where, in reverence, bodies of the dead were washed for burial. Of interest is that they were also considered to be places for worshipping those who had passed on. The most fascinating fact about the history of sauna is women gave birth in them - right up until about the beginning of the 20th century. Rather quixotic are the stories about the history of sauna that tell of love spells being cast in them. They were also seen as vehicles for curing diseases. Fire (to heat the saunas) was viewed as a gift from God and the hearth and sauna ovens were the altars for fire (God).

One cannot talk about the history of sauna without understanding some of the language used in connection with it. For instance the term loyly - which definitely loses something in the translation, but in general means the heat of the sauna itself. More specifically, the heat that results when water is thrown on the hot stones of the sauna oven. If you happen to have read any of the history of sauna, you'll perhaps recall that loyly originally meant spirit or life. Which if you stop to think about it, and the overall history of sauna, makes a great deal of sense. The essential spirit of the sauna is to revive/refresh life. By the way, this isn't just a concept that is solely used in Finland. Estonians have a similar term for their saunas, called "leil" - translation "soul".

And again, in terms of the history of sauna, the sauna lifts the soul and provides it with a spiritual experience.

Speaking of spiritual, there is one saying about a sauna that is still said, even today. "You should be in the suana as in a church." And the reason for that is kind of whimsical, but fun. It was believed that a little gnome (a suana elf) lived in the sauna. It was essential to treat the gnome with respect or you'd find yourself in a lot of hot water. The story went he would punish people who acted inappropriately in his sauna. (slept, played games , were immoral or argued) In keeping with the desire to make the elf happy, the sauna was warmed up just for the gnome now and then. It was also considered the thing to do to leave him some food. Good job if you could get it! Well, the gnome may or may not exist, but one thing is certain, the reason for his "existence" was to reinforce the fact that the sauna was intended to be used to cleanse the mind and the spirit - no messing about. As then, as now - a refreshing getaway from stress.

Sauna Bath |