Last month, the country was given the chance to vote for which local practices, representations, expressions and skills best represent us. We’ve been taking a closer look at some of the list!
When trying to understand the soul of Denmark, one word rises to the surface again and again: hygge (pronounced hoo-guh). Though difficult to translate directly, hygge captures a uniquely Danish way of life—rooted in comfort, presence, and shared well-being. It’s not just a trend or aesthetic; hygge is a cultural mindset, one that has shaped how Danes build their homes, spend time with others, and navigate even the darkest of winters.
📜 Origins of the Word
The word hygge is believed to have come into Danish from Old Norse—specifically the word hugga, which meant “to comfort” or “to console.” It is related to the English word “hug”, and the Old English word hycgan, meaning “to think” or “to feel satisfied.”
The word first appeared in written Danish in the 18th century, but the sentiment behind it had already existed in Scandinavian cultures for much longer.
What Is Hygge?
At its core, hygge is the feeling of being warm, safe, and content—often in the company of loved ones, but also in solitude. It can be found in small rituals: lighting candles on a rainy day, sharing a pot of tea with a friend, or wrapping yourself in a blanket with a good book.
It’s about slowing down and appreciating the moment. You don’t need luxury—just warmth, presence, and connection.
While other cultures may emphasize productivity or achievement, hygge prioritizes balance and emotional well-being. It’s a cultural antidote to stress and chaos.
A Cultural Response to Climate
Denmark has long, cold, and dark winters. In response, Danes developed habits and rituals that helped them endure—and even embrace—these tough months. Rather than fight the darkness, they leaned into it, creating cozy indoor atmospheres, valuing social connection, and emphasizing small pleasures like candles, coffee, wool blankets, and homemade meals. Instead of resisting the cold season, Danes lean into the season and create coziness indoors.
Winter isn’t something we escape from. Danes embrace it with hygge. That’s how thez thrive.
In this way, hygge is both practical and emotional. It offers warmth when the world outside feels cold and uncertain.
As urbanization increased in the 19th and 20th centuries, hygge evolved from a rural way of coping with seasonal isolation into a broader social value. It became a symbol of comfort, togetherness, and emotional wellbeing—things that could be cultivated not just at home, but in workplaces, cafes, and public life.
In a journalistic summary (of interviews and texts on the very topic): Hygge wasn’t invented; it was inherited. It grew naturally out of how Danes adapted to their environment and prioritized what made them feel human and connected.
More Than a Mood—A Way of Living
Hygge is not confined to one place or moment. It’s found in everyday life: a home-cooked meal with friends, a quiet walk in nature, or even how offices and classrooms are designed—with soft lighting, calm tones, and communal spaces.
It’s in the way we light candles at dinner, even on a weekday. It makes the ordinary feel special and that is what it is about.
In many ways, hygge reflects the Danish value of egalitarianism—an emphasis on simplicity, togetherness, and mutual care, rather than flashiness or competition. Hygge has persisted and become essential in Danish society because it aligns so closely with core national values: simplicity, modesty, equality, and well-being. It’s not showy or expensive—it’s inclusive, down-to-earth, and democratic.
In Denmark, hygge is not about luxury—it’s about shared experience. It’s a form of everyday mindfulness.
It wasn’t “invented” in a moment—but rather grew over time into a powerful and comforting cultural idea, one that still shapes how Danes live, relate, and find joy in daily life.
The Social Glue of Danish Life
Hygge also plays a powerful social role. In a society that values humility and consensus, hygge is how people connect—without pressure, hierarchy, or pretension.
You don’t need to impress anyone at a hygge gathering. You just need to be present. It’s about being real.
Whether it’s julehygge (Christmas coziness) or a spontaneous evening with close friends, these moments are often intimate, low-key, and unstructured—and that’s exactly the point.
Global Appeal, Local Roots
In recent years, hygge has become an international buzzword, showing up in lifestyle books, design blogs, and even fashion. But in Denmark, it remains a deeply authentic, lived experience—not something to be bought, but something to be felt.
People ask me how to ‘do’ hygge. I tell them: you don’t do it. You feel it. And you share it.
Conclusion
To understand Denmark, you must understand hygge. It’s the invisible thread that runs through Danish homes, traditions, and conversations. In a world that often feels hurried and anxious, hygge offers a quiet, powerful message: slow down, be present, and take comfort in life’s simplest joys.
And perhaps that’s why Denmark continues to rank among the happiest countries in the world—not because life is perfect, but because Danes have mastered the art of finding warmth in imperfection.
