The historical foundations of hygge

Jess Hearne explores the evolution of hygge, from its Norse origins to its place at the heart of Danish identity.

Photograph: Unsplash: Sixteen-Miles-Out-ODfeFV-Y2v0

Text: Jess Hearne

For anyone living in Denmark, the term “hygge” is impossible to avoid. Used in conversations, cafés, workplaces and tourism campaigns, the term (loosely translated to “cosiness”) carries a much deeper historical and cultural weight. At its core, hygge is about creating a sense of comfort, safety and community. However, rather than emerging overnight in modern Denmark, its roots stretch back hundreds of years and are shaped by linguistic evolution and the lived realities of Scandinavia. To properly understand the significance of hygge, one must look beyond candles and fluffy blankets to explore the term’s long historical roots in language, environment and society.

Norse origins

Surprisingly, the word hygge isn't originally Danish. Its origins lie in Norway, where related Old Norse words such as hugr and hyggja referred to the mind, the soul or the acts of thinking and feeling. Over time, these words came to be associated with the emotional states of comfort, reassurance, and care.

Hyggja, often translated as “wellbeing” or “to comfort,” is a particularly important ancestor of the term we know today. This word highlights that hygge was never purely about physical surroundings, but rather psychological states and personal relationships. Some linguistic scholars also associate the concept with feelings of emotional comfort and reassurance, suggesting a long-standing link between hygge and concepts such as intimacy and protection. In other words, hygge points towards an emotional refuge from the outside world.

The influences of geography and culture

The Scandinavian climate, known for its long, dark winters with limited daylight, is one of the most important influences on hygge. While navigating daily life during these periods can pose a challenge for those living in Denmark today, conditions before the likes of electricity and central heating were even more difficult to manage.

Thus, hygge can be understood as a cultural response to this challenging environment. People found alternative ways to invite warmth and comfort into their lives by lighting candles, gathering around fires, sharing food and spending quality time together. Rather than simply enduring the winter, the Danes created moments of solace within it, leading hygge to be strongly associated with warmth, light and intimacy.

Despite its historical roots, hygge didn’t enter the Danish lexicon until the 18th century. First appearing in writing, it entered speech and became more commonly used in the early 19th century. Denmark and Norway were united at a time when linguistic and cultural influences could move freely between the two regions.

Hygge initially referred to a sense of safety and protection - over time, the meaning expanded to include broader social values, everyday comfort, and social warmth. By the late 19th century, the term had developed into something resembling the meaning we know today: the warm feeling that arises from a pleasant, informal atmosphere shared with others, strongly aligned with a culture that values equality and communal harmony.

Rather than being tied to status, extravagance and wealth, hygge has always been a term for everyone. Referring to atmosphere and behaviour, it champions the belief that joy can be found in the simplest pleasures of home comforts, good food and close relationships. The term reflects the strong middle-class identity of Danish society: modest but comfortable living and social informality, making a simple meal with friends just as hyggeligt as a festive celebration.

The Denmark we know today

The lost territory of Schleswig remained part of Germany for over fifty years. However, the Treaty of Versailles forced the German Empire to renegotiate its borders. In 1920, the people of Schleswig were asked to decide which country they would like to belong to, leading to northern Schleswig being returned to Denmark by popular vote. This event became known as the reunification of Sønderjylland, and the border remains in place to this day.

So, the Denmark we know today is merely the latest version. Beneath the calm surface lies a history of redrawn maps, divided kingdoms and the tales of people who emigrated without stepping outside their doors. Have the borders of Denmark now settled for good, or will they shift again in the centuries to come?