What does a Dala horse represent?

The History of the Dala Horse Horses were highly valued and became a symbol of strength and courage. They arrived in Sweden 4000 years ago and were tamed and domesticated around that time. In the 17th century little wooden horses were sold at markets in small towns and villages in Dalarna, in central Sweden.

What does Dala Horse mean in Sweden?

“What’s that?” Fafa asked, pointing at the painted wooden horse figure sitting on top of the drawer — “It’s a Dala horse, Swedish symbol of good luck“, I replied. “You will buy anything as long as they slap a good-luck tag on it“, he complained.

Are Dala horses Norwegian?

Over the years the hand-carved and painted Dala Horse has become a symbol of authentic Swedish handicraft and one of Sweden’s most popular souvenirs. The name comes from its home province, Dalarna, in central Sweden. Most popular are the red-orange horses from the little village of Nusnäs near Mora.

What’s the history of the Swedish Dala horse?

Swedish Dala Horse Meaning & History. The meaning and story behind the Swedish Dalecarlian horse is widely debated and largely unknown, with some even citing Norse mythology to explain Sweden’s fascination with carving little wooden horses.

Where are red carved wooden Dala horses from?

Carved Wooden Horses of Dalarna, Sweden. Much like the dark red paint that covers most of the houses in the Swedish countryside, Dalecarlian wooden horses are one of Dalarna’s most valuable products with geographical indication.

Who is the creator of the Dala horse?

Traditionally Dala horses were generally left unpainted or painted solid red, but in the 1830s Swedish artist StikÃ¥ Erik Hansson became known for painting his own unique Dala horses with a two-color simplified form of kurbits decoration. Hansson’s Dala horse pattern has since become the tradition for Dala horse making in Sweden.

How did the Dala horse become a holy animal?

Since Viking Times, the horse has been considered a holy animal. In many cultures throughout history, wooden horses have been carved as children’s toys. In central Sweden, wood scraps from the local furniture-making trade, paint-pigment from nearby copper mines, and long winter evenings bred the development of the Dala Horse.