What are some Polish Christmas traditions?

What are some Polish Christmas traditions?

Among the traditional Christmas, dishes are Christmas Eve carp, Jewish-style carp, the herring, pierogi, and poppy seed cake. After dinner, people start gifting the presents and singing carols. Poland really loves its Christmas carols. And there are thousands of them.

What are 3 Christmas traditions in Poland?

Traditions at the Polish Christmas Dinner

  • St. Nicholas Day.
  • Leave an Empty Place at the Table.
  • Share a host (Opłatek)
  • Hay on the Table.
  • Start The Dinner Very Early.
  • 12 Food Dishes … but No Meat at All!
  • Animals Can Speak.
  • Kiss under the Mistletoe.

What are Polish Christmas Eve traditions?

In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish, usually carp. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts can sometimes last for over two hours.

Is there a Polish Santa Claus?

In Polish, he’s called Gwiazdor (gvia-zdoohr) and he’s an older fellow dressed a bit like a bishop. He not only carries presents with him but also the aforementioned birch switch – if you’ve been bad, you’d better watch out.

What is Polish Christmas Eve called?

Wigilia
Christmas Eve dinner, also known as Wigilia, starts when the first star appears in the sky. Nothing is to be eaten until all members of the family have broken the Christmas wafers (opłatek) together and exchanged wishes for good health and prosperity.

What is the drowning of marzanna?

The drowning of Marzanna (topienie Marzanny) The figure is braided from straw into the shape of a human and dressed in traditional local women’s clothing. The tradition started by burning the straw doll and drowned it in the river afterward.

Do you say Merry Christmas in Polish?

Merry Christmas – Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia, the short version of this is simply – Wesołych Świąt (Happy Holiday) and you can say it while sharing the wafer, but also in your workplace, shop, etc.

Who brings Christmas presents in Poland?

Santa Claus
Presents are brought by “Święty Mikołaj” (St Nicholas/Santa Claus), but in some parts of Poland there are different present bringers (because during the 19th century the borders of Poland were different, so people had different traditions).

What are the main characteristics of Polish mythology?

Polish mythology is mainly associated with distinctive and vivid demonology full of monstrous creatures, witches, evil spirits, and werewolves. Polish demons and mythical creatures don’t live underground but in mountains, forests, or swamps where they can meet people and animals.

Do you know the origin of Polish folklore?

Such as it is, contrary to appearances, this scary folklore was not only born in the underground! In the Middle Ages, all of nature was unfriendly to people – people died both in the forests and in the mountains, or in the swamps. It was in these places that Polish mythical creatures had their cursed inhabitants.

What are the most terrifying Polish folklore creatures?

So why are they at the top of the list of the most terrifying Polish folklore creatures? Because, as is the case with many common European monsters, Polish folklore includes several dragons that are genuinely ours. The first of these is Bazyliszek, who first resided in Krakow, and then moved to Warsaw.

Why are there so many myths about Poland?

The beauty of Poland is often in juxtaposed evil that’s lurking in the mist. The idea behind these myths is that they are designed to teach lessons or give fair warning to those who do evil in society. Some are also meant to show how rewarding bravery can be – like the myth about the Dragon of Krakow.