Wigilia

Wigilia (from Latin vigilare " awake " ) is the traditional 12 - meals food in Poland, which is held on Christmas Eve in the family circle of about 17 clock until Christmas Mass (Polish Pasterka ). It stands for prayer and guards before the arrival of Jesus Christ and is the most important family celebration in Poland.

Extended meaning of Wigilia

The term is also colloquially used like Wigilia for the entire 24th. Then the term " wieczerza " (or " wieczerza wigilijna " ) is used for the actual 12 - dishes - food, which from the Middle High German word " vesper " is derived ( " evening time "). The Last Supper is the Polish name accordingly: " Ostatnia wieczerza ".

Traditions and customs

The Christmas traditions in Poland go back sometimes also old traditions that are fused with Christian traditions. Usually, children decorate the Christmas tree on this day if it was not installed before. The first Christmas trees in Polish families there were in the 19th century, mostly in cities with many Germans. Previously decorated Polish families their homes with pine, spruce or fir branches.

Often some hay is placed under the tablecloth or in the four corners of the room. This symbolizes that Jesus was born in a stable. Also, one asks in the country so for a good harvest next year. Many Polish families also put coins under the plate or the table cloth, so as to protect the family from poverty. The same is the purpose of a fish bone or a fish scale that is inserted after the meal in the wallet.

As children play pull something out of the hay, which is under the table. Green means a year full of prosperity or may mean a marriage while black hay misfortune. This " " is only for fun and it is given to him no great importance. A number of other oracles operate a little more serious. For example, a nut (or another small piece of food) is hidden in a cake and then distributed the pieces of cake to the family members. Whoever finds the nut in his play, will have a successful year.

On the table there is a white tablecloth and an extra place setting. This is reminiscent of deceased family members. But it is also a " unexpected guest " because, in the event that a traveler, a family member or friend knocks on the door and then the same can celebrate. This relates directly to the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph were looking for a shelter, but were nowhere recorded until they came under the stable of Bethlehem. So also says an old Polish proverb: " Gość w domu, Bόg w domu " ( " If a guest in the house, God is in the house ").

In the country there is a tradition that costumed carolers from house to house draw, with a crib or a star. This improvise important Bible scenes. Among other things, angels, devils, Herod and death are presented. For this, the singer formerly were usually a treat, whereas is usually given them some money today. In popular belief, it is believed that the course of Wigilia have an impact on the following year. So if the family pays a dispute, it is believed that this heralds a quarrelsome and troublesome year. Therefore, the family members meet conciliatory on this day and celebrate the solidarity and love for one another.

The beginning of the celebrations

The celebration traditionally begins as soon as the evening star was spotted in the sky at dusk (usually by children about 17 clock ). Therefore, it is also sometimes called Christmas in Poland Gwiazdka because Gwiazdka brings the gifts and literally means " little star" means. This refers to the Star of Bethlehem.

The family members begin the celebration with a prayer. After a Christmas wafer is broken into pieces and distributed to the various family members. Then each family member breaks a little from their own Christmas wafer and shares these pieces with the other family members as a sign of love, reconciliation, friendship and peace, with one each other good luck and happiness for the next year wishes, because Christ was born. On the Christmas wafer, the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary and angels are depicted. These wafers can also be sent to friends and relatives all over the world to let them participate in this tradition. Thereafter, often a kiss on the cheek. The common breakage of Christmas wafers, which symbolizes bread, refers to the ancient Christian tradition of breaking bread. In religious families the story of the birth of Jesus is then read from the Bible.

In the country and the livestock gets some of the Christmas wafer, because the cattle on this day as well as all members of the household is treated as a legendary tradition, according to which may speak the animals with a human voice on Christmas night, but only people who are pure heart, this could also hear. However, the feed fed to the cattle wafers must be colorful, in contrast to the white wafers, break the people together.

The dinner

After the evening star has risen and we prayed, shared the Christmas wafer and has read the story of the birth of Jesus, the dinner begins after you have fasted for the whole day (no meat, no alcohol). Traditionally located on the table twelve dishes that both the number of months in a year as well symbolize the twelve apostles of Christ honoring. Some families cook but also less dishes. Ideally, one cost of each dish so as to honor the fruits of the earth and the dishes made ​​from it.

A Wigilia meal traditionally includes the following dishes (all without alcohol): the beetroot soup barszcz with Uszki ( ravioli), Pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms, a Christmas pie ( Pasztet wigilijne ), a Chałka with compote of dried fruits ( plums, apples, apricots, etc.), boiled potatoes ( Kartofle ), red cabbage with dried fruit, sauerkraut and dried mushrooms as well as desserts like kutya ( eastern Poland ), makowki (Silesia ), Makielki (central Poland) or the Makowiec (poppy seed roll). Vary from region to region quite well Żurek, Siemieniotka ( in Silesia), mushroom soup, salads or cabbage rolls ( Gołąbki ) stuffed with mushrooms and rice.

Part of Wigilia but also traditionally a fish dish: pickled herring, herring ( herring ) ( " Śledzie " ) or fried fish. Since 1940, the carp became a popular fish for the Wigilia. He was mostly bought alive so that they could be safe during the socialism that the fish is really fresh. Then he was kept in the bath until Christmas, and then to come as fillets or in jelly, etc. on the table.

Sing carols and open gifts

After dinner, in many Families carols ( " Kolędy " ) sung and they tell each other stories. Girls hear if they hear a dog barking because it is believed that from this direction also her future husband will come.

The Wigilia festivities also include the opening of the gifts after dinner. Often the children unwrap their presents itself and give the adults the gifts are for them under the Christmas tree.

The gift bringer in Poland is " Gwiazdka ", a counterpart to the Christ Child or Gwiazdor (male). Saint Nicholas brings gifts on December 6.

Pasterka - the Christmas Mass

On Christmas Eve there after the Wigilia often by 22 clock already an evening Mass before 24 clock hour then the Roman Catholic Holy Mass begins: the Pasterka ( Christmas Mass ). This applies in Poland as the most important of the three masses on Christmas Day. Besides, many Christmas carols are sung, including the Polish Christmas hymn Bóg się rodzi. The Pasterka is the culmination of December 24 for Polish, practicing Catholics.

The Christmas Breakfast

After the Christmas Eve ( Wigilia ) followed by two more days with Christmas celebrations. Christmas Day (25 December) is a national holiday in Poland and most Poles spend the day to celebrate with their families. The Christmas Breakfast on Christmas Day often consists of scrambled eggs, cold meats, smoked or fried salmon with horseradish sauce, salads, coffee, tea and cakes such as poppy role Piernik ( Gingerbread ), biscuits or kutya.