Miner's figure

An Ore Mountain miner's figure as a candle holder
The altar of the church in Crandorf with two tin miner's lights as altar lights in the foreground
Miner and angel as Christmas light bearers

A miner's figure (German: Bergmannsfigur) is a traditional Christmas decoration from the Ore Mountains of central Europe.[1] Miners' figures are turned or carved out of wood, and often bear two candles. They are usually displayed together with an angelic figure, also bearing a candle. This pair is intended to symbolize the relationship between man and woman or the worldly and spiritual aspects of life.

In the Ore Mountains, miners and angels, together with candle arches, smoking figures and nutcrackers, are all part of Christmas tradition. In modern times, people around the world place these candleholders on windowsills to provide light on long winter nights.[2]

  1. ^ Bergmannsfigur at www.germanwordsexplained.com. Retrieved 10 August 2012
  2. ^ German Christmas Retrieved 11 June 2013