Catholic Christmas

Christmas in Czech is called Vanoce.The holiday begins on December 24 - Christmas Eve. Everyone fasts on this day. No one remembers when this happened, but according to Czech custom, there should be no meat on the Christmas table. The traditional local dish is fried carp. Carp for Czechs is the same as for us salad "olivier" on New Year's Eve, which is also present on the Czech table, masquerading as "potato". Without fried carp with potato salad, there is no Christmas for Czechs.

Throughout the year, carp gain weight in special ponds. In mid-December, water from the ponds descends and multi-ton tankers with live fish disperse throughout the country. Exactly a week before Christmas Eve, large tubs with water are installed on the streets, in which fattened carp swim.

Christmas feast is not complete without ancient signs. So, at the table you need to gather an even number of people, in extreme cases, put an empty plate. Under each plate, a carp scale is put for happiness, you can add a small coin to it. Sometimes the scales are hidden in your wallet and carried with you all year. During the festive dinner, you can not get up from the table, the hostess should have everything at hand. If someone suddenly rings in their ear during a Christmas meal, they will be praised throughout the year. Going to Christmas dinner with friends, do not come back for a forgotten walking cane or shoes, otherwise you will have to put up with failure all year.

December 24, before sitting down at the table, Prague residents with children traditionally come to the shore of the Vltava, where they are already waiting for sellers. They also sell live carp, but not to be eaten. It is supposed to show mercy and release the purchase in the river. The kids love this idea. Perhaps that is why Christmas Eve is called a generous day by the Czechs.

On the same day, December 24 - Bear Christmas, on this day it is customary to feed the bears sweets. Bears living in the fortified moat (in the city of Chesky Krumlov) will gladly accept gifts from you and will gladly listen to Christmas carols in your performance.

And the next day they bake the goose and make all sorts of cookies. His baking becomes a whole ritual. The whole family is involved.

December 26 is the day of St. Stepana, caroling day. There is a very cheerful custom, on this day negligent men are expelled from the house. Before they really put out the door, and now just next to the bed put a knot – they say, God, and here is the threshold.

On December 27, the day of Jan Evangelist, the ceremony of purifying wine takes place.

Christmas Eve is associated with many signs. So, in order to stay healthy all next year, on the morning of December 24, you need to wash yourself in a cold stream. Young people who intend to get married next year should sit on a corner during a festive feast, and a girl to get married should cut off a piece of oil from a new briquette during a festive dinner, then she will get a husband with a peaceful character.