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Christmas Nutcracker soldiers are decorative nutcracker statues most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. It was said that in German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits and protecting your home. The Nutcracker soldier originates from late-17th century Germany.
Why is a soldier called a nutcracker?
Why are they called wooden toy soldier nutcrackers? Because the first nutcrackers were made as replicas of soldiers and other figures of authority. The common folk took great enjoyment in having the ruling people working for them, cracking their “hard nuts of life”.
What is the meaning behind a nutcracker?
A nutcracker is said to represent power and strength, serving somewhat like a watchdog guarding your family against danger. A nutcracker bares its teeth to evil spirits and serves as a messenger of good luck and goodwill. Long ago, rare or unusual nutcrackers were part of the social dining tradition.
How does a soldier nutcracker work?
Nutcrackers are generally categorized as Percussion, Lever and Screw. With the percussion, a striking motion breaks the nut. This could be done with metal hammers, wooden mallets or other tools. When the nut is cracked between the fulcrum and your hand, the nut is cracked with direct pressure.
Where do nutcracker soldiers come from?
According to Arlene Wagner of the Nutcracker Museum, nutcracker soldiers were made in the Erzgebirge region of Germany around 1800. (Although woodworkers made nutcrackers of many character shapes much earlier than that.) Around the same time in 1816, E.T.A. Hoffman wrote the story The Nutcracker and the King of Mice.
What is the real story of The Nutcracker?
The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.
What is the moral lesson of The Nutcracker?
The Nutcracker helps Clara along her journey, but the movie has nothing to do with him. Honestly, anyone could have helped her. During her time in the four realms, she learns more about her mother and her own personal power. The fantasy of it all is that our favorite toys can come to life and bring us joy.
Who is the bad guy in The Nutcracker?
Character information The Sugar Plum Fairy (also known simply as Sugar Plum) is the main antagonist of Disney’s 2018 live-action film, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. She is a bitter and devious fairy who seeks to conquer all Four Realms, using Mother Ginger as the pawn in her schemes.
Who invented The Nutcracker?
In 1872 Wilhelm Fuchtner, known as the father of the nutcracker, made the first commercial production of nutcrackers using the lathe to create many of the same design.
Who are The Nutcracker characters?
The Nutcracker: Meet the Characters Clara. Clara is the eldest child of Mr and Mrs Stahlbaum. The Nutcracker – Hans-Peter. Hans-Peter is the nephew of Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer is Clara’s kind but mysterious godfather. The Sugar Plum Fairy. The Mouse King.
What nuts do you crack with a nutcracker?
So if you love eating nuts, a nutcracker is designed to crack and shell all types of small and large nuts like Pecan nuts, Brazil nuts, English or Black Walnuts. A highly versatile food preparation device, the nutcracker can also be used to crack open crustaceans shells like lobster tails, shellfish, crab or oysters.
Why are toy soldiers associated with Christmas?
Christmas Nutcracker soldiers are decorative nutcracker statues most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. It was said that in German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits and protecting your home. The Nutcracker soldier originates from late-17th century Germany.
Can you actually crack nuts with a nutcracker?
One of the most popular questions people ask about German nutcrackers is whether or not they really can be used to crack nuts. The short answer to this question is of course, yes* they can crack nuts, but it is not recommended.
Why are nutcrackers so expensive?
Why Are Collectible Nutcrackers More Expensive? Just like any collectible item, the nutcracker’s value is decided by its brand, material, rarity, and craftsmanship. Additionally, the making of a quality nutcracker is not something that can be done overnight.
Why is there a Nutcracker at Christmas?
Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. In German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits. Nutcrackers are also a part of German folklore, serving as protectors of a house.
Was The Nutcracker originally a book?
Hoffmann’s classic children’s tale, “Nutcracker and Mouse-King,’ which was penned in German in 1816. While Alexandre Dumas, père was making this story famous in France, this translation by Mrs. St. Simon was making it popular in the English-speaking world.
How does The Nutcracker Ballet end?
Frederick quickly becomes jealous, a fight follows and soon the doll lies broken on the floor. Clara’s tears dry as her Uncle manages to repair the doll. The party ends and Clara leaves her Nutcracker by the tree before going to bed.
Why is the Sugar Plum Fairy so important?
Sugar Plum’s Enduring Appeal Naturally, the Sugar Plum Fairy is the first role that many young ballerinas-to-be aspire to. She is not only a symbol of seasonal splendor and hope, but the symbol of childhood dreams, and, for some dancers, the first childhood dream-come-true in their ballet lives.
What is the story of the Sugar Plum Fairy?
The Sugar Plum Fairy is the ruler of the Land of Sweets. She welcomes the Nutcracker Prince and his love Clara to her land and orders the festivities. The character is danced by a prima ballerina (principal dancer), though she has little dancing to do.
What are the movements of the Nutcracker Suite?
The Suite consists of eight numbers, grouped in three movements: Ouverture miniature. Allegro giusto (B-flat major, 182 bars) Corresponding to the Overture from the ballet. Danses caractéristiques: Marche. Tempo di marcia viva (G major, 88 bars) Valse des fleurs. Tempo di valse (D major, 353 bars).
