Christmas is perhaps the most common and revered Christian holiday. On the holiday, beliefs and customs come to life, coming from ancient times, which we keep to this day. However, not all of us know why and how we arrived at the modern rituals that we observe (and sometimes not) every year and pass down from generation to generation. That's why we decided to introduce you to lesser-known or forgotten traditions and together understand their roots.
Christmas Eve
This is the most famous name of the last day before Christmas, when the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus at midnight. In Bulgaria, however, there are many more names for Christmas Eve - Little Christmas (in Sofia), Krachun (in Pleven and the Danube villages), Children's Christmas, Mali Bozic (Northwestern Bulgaria), and also Neyadka (in Dupnishko), Christmas Eve, Every night. The festive evening is long awaited because, according to beliefs, the Virgin Mary also suffered for five whole days (from Ascension Day to Christmas Eve) before giving birth to the Son of God. Fasting before Christmas continued for a period of the traditional 40 days.
Christmas Day
A somewhat forgotten symbol of Christmas Eve is the Christmas Eve. Its cutting and bringing into the house was done by the youngest man in the family . He went to the forest to choose a healthy and fruitful tree - oak, elm, pear or dogwood, and before he cut it down, he asked for forgiveness. The tree should not touch the ground and is carried home on the right shoulder. The lighting of the Christmas tree is a whole ritual and with it the festive dinner on Christmas Eve begins. The plant must burn completely, and in the morning the coals are extinguished with wine. It is believed that the light and warmth of the Christmas Eve symbolize the birth of the new Sun and the appearance of the Savior. In the evening, the Christmas tree burns throughout the night. According to belief, it has magical power. That's why the ashes from the New Year's Eve were used as a cure, and fields, vineyards and meadows were sprinkled with it to make them fertile.
A look into the future
According to folk beliefs, Christmas Eve had a magical character and then one could see the future - to guess about the weather, fertility and the personal fate of family members. This was precisely the purpose of the "bogovitsa", which today we simply call fortune bread. Things were placed in it, through which to understand what awaits the owners of the home. If a straw falls into the piece, it means that a lot of wheat will be born. Whoever finds a branch from a fruit tree will be happy and blessed throughout the year. A pumpkin seed foretells the multiplication of animals on the farm.
It is customary on Christmas Eve to guess about health. Each member of the family cracks a nut, and depending on whether the nut is good or rotten, health or illness awaits him. Everyone throws a dogwood bud or grains of wheat into the burning fire, and it is believed that if they burst and bounce, the person will enjoy good health. The most characteristic of Christmas Eve are maiden fortune-tellings for upcoming adoption. The girls put the first bite from the table under their pillow and believe that they will dream of their future groom.
To scare the trees and the animals
One of the Christmas customs in our lands is almost forgotten and is kept only by the researchers of our folklore. Rather, it is a fertility ritual. Before sitting down to the table or at dawn, trees that do not bear fruit are "threatened" to be cut down. Someone from the family theatrically raises an ax to cut the sapling, and another stops him with a promise that next year the tree will give birth richly and very richly. In this way, cattle that have not had offspring are also frightened. In some places, women who cannot conceive, as well as small children who did not walk in time, are also "threatened".
The month of "cakes"
Traditionally, every house kept at least one pig, which was wheeled at Christmas. According to folklorists, the roots of this practice go back centuries, because in the mythologies of many nations, the pig with its fertility is associated with the Mother Goddess . This is what the Thracians thought ( Mother Bendida grazed pigs and spun), as well as the ancient Greeks (a favorite animal of the fertility goddess Demeter). Later, under the influence of Judaism and Christianity, he began to consider the pig an unclean animal.
The slaughtering of the pig and the preparation of its meat have a ritual character in our country. Early in the morning, neighbors and relatives - men who will help the farmer - gather in the house where the pig will be slaughtered. In every village, there are people who are known for their "baking" skills and are also invited to participate. The next day, someone else from the village drives a pig, and so practically the people spend nearly a month in rejoicing.
According to custom, the head and legs of the animal are boiled and pacha is prepared from them, which is kept in the winter until St. Basil's Day, when it is served on the festive table. This is also the only occasion in which pork is burnt and sanctified - during the rest of the time it is considered impure and unworthy of sacrifice.
Many of these customs have already been forgotten, and the modern way of life makes their observance difficult or even impossible. However, our goal should be to remember these traditions and recreate them in some form so that they are not irretrievably lost. Because the magic of Christmas is precisely in them.