6 Christmas traditions that came to us from paganism

1. Decorate the house with garlands

Christmas Traditions: Decorating Your Home with Garlands

Although electric garlands appeared only at the end of the 19th century, people began to use such decorations, only made of paper and fabric, much earlier. Thus, many Indo-European tribes worshiped trees and decorated them on important holidays, including the winter solstice. It was believed that in this way you can ward off evil spirits and show respect to the gods.

2. Wait for gifts from Santa Claus and Santa Claus

An old man with a long beard who gives gifts to children, as the personification of Christmas, originated in the West in the 16th century. The prototype of Santa Claus is considered to be Saint Nicholas, who did a lot of charity work. Although the images of his appearance have nothing to do with the modern image of a fat man in a red suit.

In most Slavic countries, Santa Claus is called Grandfather Frost. This hero appeared long before the spread of Christianity. In the mythology of the ancestors of the present Slavs, he was considered a deity of cold weather.

3. Singing Christmas carols

Singing special ritual songs at this time of the year is also a pagan tradition. It is associated with fertility rituals, during which people walked through the fields, sang and made noise to ward off evil spirits that could interfere with the ripening of the harvest.

4. Kissing under the mistletoe

In ancient times, many peoples considered mistletoe to be a magical plant that protects against unkind otherworldly entities and witchcraft. The Romans used it to glorify the god Saturn and decorated their dwellings with it during the Saturnalia, a winter holiday that followed the end of agricultural work.

In Scandinavia, mistletoe was a symbol of peace. According to myths, the god of peace Balder was wounded by an arrow from a mistletoe, but healed at the request of other gods. After that, the plant passed into the power of the goddess of love and began to kiss under it. And the warriors of the warring tribes who met under the mistletoe were obliged to lay down their arms.

5. Exchange gifts

In ancient Rome, people gave gifts to each other during the Saturnalia, lasting from December 17 to 23. And in Slavic legends, there is a plot about how Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snegurochka are fighting the evil Baba Yaga, who wants to steal gifts from children.

During the Middle Ages, French nuns began distributing food and clothing to the poor on Saint Nicholas Day (December 5 in Western Christianity). Gradually, this has evolved into a modern exchange of gifts for New Year and Christmas.

6. Bake Christmas fruitcake with candied fruit

This traditional Western dish originated in ancient Rome. It was there that they began to cook baked goods in the form of a ring from barley, pomegranate seeds and nuts. It was stored for a long time and was nutritious, so the Roman soldiers took it with them to the battlefield. This tradition was continued by the knights-crusaders, and from them it passed to the inhabitants of Byzantium. Gradually, the dish spread in different countries, new ingredients were added to it: dried fruits and candied fruits, various nuts, alcohol, spices.