Chimney Sweep!

Did you know that a Chimney Sweep is one among the lucky charms? Especially in places like Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, France, U.K, Chimney Sweeps are considered auspicious omen of good luck especially when you meet them on New Years day or when they visit a house to chimney sweep!

I really did not know this until I received a ‘Petit Ramoneur Sabogard’ – A doll of a chimney sweeper, a petite girl carrying a rope and a ladder – a surprise gift from France! I was told that it is considered as a lucky charm. I was surprised. Now I simply love this doll and I tried to get some history behind this.

The chimney has been a part of family life since the early Romans first realized that it was better to live in a nice, fire-warmed home than in a chilly one. They needed a way to funnel off the smoke the fires caused. Centuries later, in medieval times, fireplaces were invented to heat individual rooms and provide a safe place for indoor cooking. Folks soon learned that fireplaces and their chimneys needed a cleaning once in a while. A house full of soot and fumes isn't healthy. And so, chimney sweeping developed into a necessary profession. And a good one. People liked having the chimney sweep pay a visit. He brought clean, fresh air back to the home. Sweeps are associated with hearth and home, and thus domestic bliss. Chimney Sweeps became a sign of good health and prosperity.

In Vienna, there is a Chimney Sweep Museum itself! There are people who get trained for almost 6 years to do chimney sweeping!


Here's one such lucky charm! But the one I have is much better! ;)