Once again, Bluey and the rest of the Heeler family have barged onto American television screens and spilled the beans on – allegedly – weird Australian customs. Weekend trips to Hammerbarn (or Bunnings as it’s known in the real world). Appropriate levels of terror when confronted by a magpie. And apparently, the wearing of paper crowns at Christmas.

A Facebook user based in the US asked about the paper crowns on a dedicated Bluey fan page which garnered more than a thousand comments. While some of our Yankee friends participate in the Christmas cracker and crown tradition, it appears that the mandatory donning of flimsy paper isn’t as universal as we thought. 

So what is the deal with the paper crowns at Christmas? Well, naturally, it starts with the original rulers of revelry: the ancient Romans.

Related story: Christmas entertaining: recipes, menus and tips for the festive season

The custom of wearing paper crowns at Christmas time has roots that extend far beyond the modern holiday. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, a winter solstice celebration dedicated to Saturn in late December. During Saturnalia, society’s usual rules were upended, and the distinctions between social classes were temporarily erased. Servants and masters would switch places, with the masters serving their staff at lavish feasts. One of the most notable elements of this subversion was the crown – a clear symbol of status. 

During Saturnalia, even slaves were given the right to wear crowns made of greenery or other materials, marking a reversal of social roles and an affirmation of equality.

Christians later appropriated this tradition of donning crowns during festive times. As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, many pagan customs were absorbed into Christian practices, often reinterpreted with new meanings.

The blending of pagan and Christian traditions didn’t stop with crowns. Christmas itself was strategically placed at the same time as the Roman solstice festivals, such as Saturnalia and the feast of Sol Invictus (the “Unconquered Sun”). The practice of decorating evergreen trees, celebrating with feasts, and exchanging gifts also has pagan origins in winter solstice rituals.

So now if your family Grinch tries to get out of wearing their paper crown, you can gently remind them that it’s actually pretty darn regal to look a little bit silly. Even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Related story: The 10 commandments for surviving family Christmas