Many New Year and Christmas traditions have their roots in the past. Some survived to our era, others have disappeared altogether or changed their meaning.
What was the winter holiday like a few centuries ago? 8 curious traditions.
Witches wards
Did you know where the tradition of hanging glass balls on the Christmas tree came from? In the seventeenth century in Britain and Ireland, such Christmas decorations were considered a way to ward off witches and evil spirits. Glass painted balls, according to local residents, neutralized the evil eye of passing witches, or distracted them from bad intentions with an intricate pattern.
Game with a twist and burning brandy
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In the 16-19 centuries in England, one fun was popular: hot brandy was poured into a wide container, raisins were set on fire and thrown into the liquid, and the guests of the evening had to pull it out of there, risking getting burned. It was believed that the one who pulled the most raisins out of the fire would meet his love in the new year.
Gifts for the rich
Charity and helping the poor on Christmas Eve have long become a pre-holiday tradition. The Czech ruler Vaclav I became the legislator of this trend. Before that, the poor living in European countries were obliged to prepare gifts for royalty and landowners, which greatly hit their already meager financial situation.
Christmas bishop
In the twelfth century in England and other European countries, on Christmas Eve, a comic election of bishop was held among boys. The kid was dressed in a specific outfit and forced to read Mass. From the townspeople, he received gifts - money and food, and also could dispose of the fate of the members of the guild. The festive "bishop" could select couples and order them to marry. True, the marriage, according to the laws of tradition, lasted only one night.
Horse skull ritual
In South Wales, on the eve of the New Year, locals attached a dressed-up horse skull to a pole and walked around the house with it, singing and dancing. That is still horror!
Flowers in spinning wheels
In England, during the Tudor dynasty, the 12 days of Christmas celebration between Christmas Eve and Epiphany were a time when the population was forbidden to work. As a reminder that women should not do business at home either, the wheels of the spinning wheels were decorated with flowers.
Coffin shaped christmas cakes
In Medieval Europe, the most fashionable dish on the Christmas table was turkey pie. They baked it in the shape of a coffin, and put game inside, in addition to turkey.
Kisses under the mistletoe
The kiss under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve was a symbolic event in the lives of medieval couples. It was believed that such a kiss would bring eternal love to a guy and a girl and would definitely end in marriage.
Author: Vlada Gorshunova
