얀테의 법칙(Jante Law)
덴마크계 노르웨이 작가 '악셀 산데모세'가 쓴 풍자소설 '도망자'에 나오는 보통사람의 바람직한 10개 행동 규칙
첫째, 스스로 특별한 사람이라고 생각하지 말 것.
둘째, 내가 다른 사람들 보다 좋은 사람이라고 착각하지 말 것.
셋째, 내가 다른 사람들보다 더 똑똑하다고 생각하지 말 것.
넷째, 내가 다른 사람보다 우월하다고 자만하지 말 것.
다섯째, 내가 다른 사람보다 더 많이 알고 있다고 생각하지 말 것.
여섯째, 내가 다른 사람들보다 더 중요한 위치에 있다고 생각하지 말 것.
일곱째, 내가 무엇을 하든지 다 잘 할 것이라고 장담하지 말 것.
여덟째, 다른 사람을 비웃지 말 것.
아홉째, 다른 사람이 나에게 신경 쓰고 있다고 생각하지 말 것.
열번째, 다른 사람을 가르치려 들지 말 것.
The Jante Law (with a lowercase a) is a set of rules in the village Jante, taken from the Danish novel En flyktning krysser sitt spor (“A fugitive crosses his tracks”) by Aksel Sandemose, published in 1933:
Don’t think you’re anything special
Don’t think you’re as much as us
Don’t think you’re wiser than us
Don’t convince yourself that you’re better than us
Don’t think you know more than us
Don’t think you are more than us
Don’t think you are good at anything
Don’t laugh at us
Don’t think anyone cares about you
Don’t think you can teach us anything
Even though the rules stem from a fictional novel, they have had a huge impact on Scandinavian culture (in the past) and could almost be considered part of the definition of many things Swedish, Danish and Norwegian (such as being neutral or not standing out).
In the spring of 2010 Konst & Teknik (K&T) were asked to contribute an image representing the studio for a feature in issue No. 14 of Graphic Magazine. K&T wanted to take something that actually represented their way of thinking at the time — good and/or bad — and decided to remake the Jante Law by changing all the don’ts to dos. K&T called the image “The JAnte Law”, in an attempt to question their Swedish heritage and in order to see these rules from a new perspective.
A few months later K&T got in touch Hagelsrums Handtryck, a wallpaper printer that prints with their own stunning colors on original brown wallpaper paper. It seemed like a good idea to turn that image (slightly updated) into a proper poster, as K&T couldn’t resist the metaphor of turning something that sits in the walls (of our culture) to something that — literally — sits on those very same walls.
The typeface, Småländsk Antikva, is an ongoing interpretation of Nordisk Antikva, many times claimed to be the first properly Swedish typeface
The Law of Jante (Janteloven) is a Scandinavian cultural concept emphasizing collective equality over individualism, discouraging people from standing out, boasting, or believing they are special.
Originating from Aksel Sandemose’s 1933 novel, it dictates that individuals should not consider themselves better than the group.
Key Aspects of the Law of Jante:
Core Principle: Do not think you are special, smarter, or better than "us".Cultural Context: It is a societal norm in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, prioritizing modesty and discouraging loud displays of personal success.
10 Implicit Rules: The concept is often summarized by ten rules from the novel, including "You're not to think you're as good as we are" and "Don't think you can teach us anything".
Impact on Life: It influences social behavior by promoting egalitarianism, but can also lead to self-repression or conformism.
Modern Interpretation: While traditionally criticized for hindering personal ambition, some see it as a foundation for Scandinavian equality, team-focused workplaces, and high social trust.
The Law of Jante is an unwritten rule, not a legal statute, often summarized by the phrase "Don't think you're anything special".
Decoding ‘Janteloven’ in Nordics Culture
Written by Ram Puranam
No! I’m not Danish. I’m not even from Nordics but have always been immensely fascinated with topics on being humble & down to earth. Most importantly, no-show off or no-ostentatious display of anything is what I personally believe in and practice.
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Photo by allison christine on Unsplash
Janteloven also known as the Law of Jante, is a cultural concept deeply ingrained in the Scandinavian psyche. Originating in Denmark and popularized in Norway, it represents a set of unwritten social rules that prioritize collective well-being over individual achievement. Let’s delve into its essence.
The Ten Rules of Janteloven:
These rules express variations on a single theme, emphasizing modesty, equality, and avoiding standing out:
Origins and Authorship:
The Law of Jante was formulated by the Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his satirical novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks (1933).
Sandemose portrayed the fictional small Danish town of Jante, modeled after his native town Nykøbing Mors in the 1930s. In this town, nobody remained anonymous — a common feature of life in small communities.
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Photo by Nick Hillier on Unsplash
The Janters and Social Harmony:
Those who transgress these unwritten rules are regarded with suspicion and sometimes hostility. Janteloven aims to preserve harmony, social stability, and uniformity within the community.
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An additional, unspoken rule is: “Perhaps you don’t think we know a few things about you?” This acts as the “penal code of Jante.”
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Photo by Daria Volkova on Unsplash
Sociological Effects:
While originally intended as criticism of society in general, the Law of Jante has evolved.
Critics argue that it now refers to personal criticism of individuals who seek to break out of their social groups and achieve higher positions.
Despite criticism, Janteloven remains widely recognized in Nordic countries, reflecting an ethos of modesty and communal values.
Understanding Janteloven is indeed essential for comprehending the historical and contemporary cultures of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Written by Ram Puranam
Slow Coffee Explorer trying to save the world from bad coffee | Writes about Coffee & Culture across the Globe