The custom of cutting fruit twigs for holidays is rooted in the tradition of many European countries, and its origins date back hundreds of years.Cutting fruit twigs comes directly from the celebration of an old bachelor party, called Catherine's Day, celebrated on October 25 and today completely replaced by St. Andrew's Day a few days later, i.e. Maidens' Night.
According to messages on the eve of St. Catherine, young men cut twigs of cherries and put them in a vase to bloom for Christmas.It was supposed to be an announcement of a quick wedding and a happy marriage.
With time, this method of divination was also adopted by virgins, and the symbolism itself began to take on a more universal meaning, referring to family happiness, prosperity in the coming year, and fertile crops.
Currently, the custom of cutting twigs has survived only regionally, and moreover, it is celebrated in different ways.Echoes of ancient Katarzynka fortune-telling can still be heard in Ukraine, Belarus and the Czech Republic. In Germany, twigs are cut on St. Barbara on December 4.
Traditionally, cherry or cherry shoots are placed in a vase, and apple, plum, forsythia, birch, hazelnut and even chestnut shoots are also perfect for this. After cutting the twig, put it in warm water and keep it in a bright room.
It is important that the water is changed every day, and the place is not too warm and too dry (such conditions prevail e.g. by the fireplace), because then the twigs dry up.From time to time time, they can be sprinkled with water.
No mistletoe one year old bare
Jemiole has long been assigned special importance. It was believed, among other things, that it brings happiness and we alth to the household, and drives away misfortunes and evil spirits.
The custom of kissing under mistletoe comes from England, which is supposed to guarantee happiness in a relationship.Traditionally, a sprig of mistletoe should be hung over the Christmas Eve table, in the kitchen and over the front door.
Mistletoe should be kept until the next holidays, so that happiness does not leave the household all year round. The species found in Poland is the common mistletoe Viscum album.It lives mainly on deciduous trees, most often and most frequently it grows on poplars and birches.It produces white, round, pseudo-berries in groups of 2-3 pcs.
