Probably you have already noticed that in Poland we celebrate much during autumn and winter. That's because during those seasons we don't get much sunlight here and we have to focus on something joyful. You have heard about Andrzejki recently. Nearly week after it we enjoy Mikołajki - Saint Nicolas Day. It's not only Polish tradition, you can meet it in many other countries, but the way it is celebrated is slightly different everywhere. Even in Poland there is a variety of ways to celebrate Mikołajki, depending on a region you are currently in...
In some parts of Poland, probably in the south, people have believed that St Nicolas is a patron of shepherds and that he saves the ewes and cattle from wolves. On 6th December, people used to offer St Nicolas wreaths made of flax and some herbs. They also put eggs, which are a symbol of life and fertility, on them.
In the north of Poland, in Kaszuby, St Nicolas was called 'Gwiazdor'. He acted like St Nick but he looked different - he was wearing fur and all his face was smutty.
In Poznań people believe that at night on 5th December, Santa Claus looks through a window and if he sees that all shoes of in the household are clean, he leaves a gift for each member of the family. But if the shoes are dirty - he leaves a rotten potato.
In the centre of Poland (Mazowsze), over hundred years ago on 6th December somebody from a village dreesed up like a St Nicolas and in a company of an angel and a devil he visited all the children who lived in a town. He asked them if they know all the prayers well and he asked their parents if their behaviour was good. If the child was polite, was given a small present (gingerbread, apple, nuts) if not - he received a rod!
Polish story about St Nicolas tells that he was a bishop of Mira (some area in today's Turkey). One day, a man living in Mira has gone out of business and he lost all his possessions. The worst was that he wanted to send away his daughters to become prostitutes. To save them from this fate, bishop Nicolas is believed to pop three sacks packed with coins through a chimney of the man's house. The coins fell on the floor and you could find them strewn around, even in shoes, slippers and socks. That's why on 5th December night people (I mean Santa Claus :) give each other small gifts (sweets are most popular) by hiding them inside big colorful socks or under the pillow.
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| Most popular gifts for Mikołajki are gingerbread cookies or Santa Claus made of chocolate. (piernikarnia.blogspot.hu) |
In the north of Poland, in Kaszuby, St Nicolas was called 'Gwiazdor'. He acted like St Nick but he looked different - he was wearing fur and all his face was smutty.
In Poznań people believe that at night on 5th December, Santa Claus looks through a window and if he sees that all shoes of in the household are clean, he leaves a gift for each member of the family. But if the shoes are dirty - he leaves a rotten potato.
In the centre of Poland (Mazowsze), over hundred years ago on 6th December somebody from a village dreesed up like a St Nicolas and in a company of an angel and a devil he visited all the children who lived in a town. He asked them if they know all the prayers well and he asked their parents if their behaviour was good. If the child was polite, was given a small present (gingerbread, apple, nuts) if not - he received a rod!
Polish story about St Nicolas tells that he was a bishop of Mira (some area in today's Turkey). One day, a man living in Mira has gone out of business and he lost all his possessions. The worst was that he wanted to send away his daughters to become prostitutes. To save them from this fate, bishop Nicolas is believed to pop three sacks packed with coins through a chimney of the man's house. The coins fell on the floor and you could find them strewn around, even in shoes, slippers and socks. That's why on 5th December night people (I mean Santa Claus :) give each other small gifts (sweets are most popular) by hiding them inside big colorful socks or under the pillow.
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| Gwiazdor - St Nick from Kaszuby |
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