Today (in Sweden at least) we celebrate Saint Anna (or Anne), mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ, so I post a quick post of this particular figure. Her story became popular during the Middle Ages with the increase interest of the Virgin when stories of Mary´s family was invented. This sculpture from the parish church of Skellefteå is an example of a common depiction of Anna. It is called Anna-själv-tredje in Swedish from the German Anna selbdritt (also known as Metterza in Italian), but I actually do not know if there is an English name for it. Please tell me if you know.

It shows Saint Anna holding both the crowned Virgin and baby Jesus in her arms. In this particular model mother and son is holding hands over Anna's chest, almost creating a heart-shaped form. If it is a heart it should be read as the love of God and the Salvation made possible through all three. There are variations in the Anna-själv-tredje, but this type can also be found in other regions of Sweden.

Saint Anna is patron saint for unmarried women, housewives, women in labour, grandmothers and more. She is celebrated in the Western church also at 26 July. But Anna-day, 9 December, is also part of folklore traditions concerning Christmas celebrations in Sweden. This is the day when the Christmas beer should be ready and when a particular fish dish (lutfisk) is starting to be prepared.