Disting

The Disting (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈdɪ̂sːtɪŋ, ˈdîːstɪŋ]) is an annual market which has been held in Uppsala, Sweden, since pre-historic times.

The name (Old Swedish: Disæþing[1] or Disaþing[2]) originally referred to the great assembly called the Thing of all Swedes,[1] and it is derived from the fact that both the market and the thing were held in conjunction with the Dísablót,[1] the great blóts (sacrifices) for female powers called dísir (they include the Norns[3] and the Valkyries[4]) at the Temple at Uppsala.

[1] The Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson, who was well-informed of Swedish matters and visited the country in 1219,[5] explained in the Heimskringla (1225): In Svithjod[6] it was the old custom, as long as heathenism prevailed, that the chief sacrifice took place in Goe month[7] at Upsala.

Then sacrifice was offered for peace, and victory to the king; and thither came people from all parts of Svithjod.

After Christianity had taken root in Svithjod, and the kings would no longer dwell in Upsala, the market-time was moved to Candlemas, and it has since continued so, and it lasts only three days.