6 Christmas traditions that have come to us from paganism
Holidays / / December 19, 2019
Delicious food, music and good company - not only the attributes of modern holidays, but also the ancient Roman Saturnalia.
Practices that today we associate with Christmas and New Year, there is not Christianity, but much earlier. Blog Slavorum collected six examples of traditions that have come from pagan times.
1. Decorating the house with garlands
Although electric garlands appeared only at the end of the XIX century, like ornaments, made only of paper and cloth, people began to use much earlier. For example, many Indo-European tribes worshiped trees and dressed them on important holidays, including the day of the winter solstice. It was believed that in this way, you can ward off evil spirits, and pay homage to the gods.
2. Waiting for gifts from Santa Claus and Father Christmas
An old man with a long beard, who gives gifts to children, as the personification of Nativity It arose in the West in the XVI century. The prototype of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas is considered that many engage in charity. Although the images of his appearance, and have nothing to do with the modern fat man in the red suit.
In many Slavic countries, Santa Claus is called Grandfather Frost. This hero appeared long before the spread of Christianity. In mythology, the ancestors of today's Slavs it was considered a deity cold and frost.
3. Sing Christmas carols
Singing of special ritual songs at this time of the year - too pagan tradition. It is associated with fertility rituals, during which the people walked through the fields, sing and make noise to drive away the evil spirits that might prevent the maturation of the crop.
4. Kissing under the mistletoe
In ancient times, many people believed mistletoe a magical plant, which protects from evil supernatural entities and witchcraft. The Romans used it to praise the god Saturn and decorated her home in Saturnalia time - winter holiday occurring after the end of agricultural work.
In Scandinavia, mistletoe was a symbol of peace. According to mythology, the god Balder world was wounded by an arrow of mistletoe, but healed at the request of the other gods. Thereafter, the plant was transferred to the power of the goddess of love and below the steel kiss. And the soldiers of warring tribes, which met under the mistletoe, had to lay down their arms.
5. Exchange presents
In ancient Rome, people gave each other we launched during the Saturnalia, lasting from 17 to 23 December. In the Slavic tradition, there the story of how Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snow Maiden struggle with the evil Baba Yaga, who wants to steal the gifts to the children.
In the Middle Ages the French nuns began to distribute food and clothing to the poor in St. Nicholas Day (December 5 in Western Christianity). Gradually it turned into a modern exchange gifts on Christmas and New Year.
6. Oven Christmas cake with candied fruit
This dish is traditional for western food, originated in ancient Rome. It was there that began to prepare pastries in the form of rings made from barley, pomegranate seeds and nuts. It has long been stored and was nutritious, so the Roman soldiers took her with him on the battlefield. This tradition continued Knights Crusaders, and from there she went to the people of Byzantium. Gradually dish spread to different countries, it began to add new ingredients: dried fruits and candied fruits, various nuts, alcohol, spices.
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