Christmas symbols

Hi!

I will write about Polish Christmas symbols, traditions and customs, because others have written about other things.

Christmas tree – symbol of life (green, fresh needles)
Things on the Christmas tree:
- chains - they symbolise the snake from the Bible - devil or strengthened family bonds
-star – Star of Bethlehem
-apples - health and beauty
-nuts - guarantee the prosperity and vital forces,
-honey gingerbread - good luck for the New Year,
-lamps and glass balls were supposed to protect the house from demons
-cherubim (small angels)- these are carers of the house

Presents – we get presents because Jesus got the presents from the Three Kings
Christmas carols - the most well-known of carols are “Silence night, holy night”, “Today in Bethlehem”
Carol singers – the people dressed up as animals (stork, goat, bear) – Mazury – the part of Poland
Carol singers – the people dressed up as Santa Claus, animals… - rest of Poland

Wafer- symbol of conciliating and forgiving, sign of friendship and love

First star of the sky - symbolic reference to the Star of Bethlehem
Christmas play – show of the Jesus born (first Christmas play was created by Franciszek from Asyż)
Santa Claus – bishop of Mira (he lived in 3rd and 4th century AD)

Mistletoe - under mistletoe people in love kiss

The number of Christmas dishes refers to important symbols :
12 Christmas dishes on the table = 12 apostles
7 Christmas dishes = 7 days in week
9 Christmas dishes = 9 of heavenly hosts

Christmas

It's December now so we've got Christmas in Poland. It's a dominant subject in winter. Maybe you would like to find out about the way we celebrate it in our country.

In Poland Christmas is the most popular holiday. Everyone waits for it actually for the whole year. On this night we can be with our families and friends. We live in reconciliation. I think there's no person who dislikes X-mas.

In Poland some people read the Bible. There has never been such a custom in my house. When the first star is in the sky we (me and my family) just start celebrating. We share the wafer. In Poland on the table there should be 12, 9 or 7 dishes during the Christmas supper. In my house there have always been 7 or 9 (it depends on my mother - she cooks). Oh, and we have a Christmas tree of course! But only I can decorate it. I could say it's our house custom! ;) I always make home gingerbread with my mother and sister. There's no X-mas with no gingerbread in my house.

Now the most important thing about Christmas - presents! In Poland it could be anything - from a great modern brand-new computer to ugly drawers. No present can destroy our good mood - it's Christmas! I usually get books because everyone in my family knows that I love them. I often get DVD films too.

Merry Christmas!!!!!! ;*