polish pagan traditions

So, share them in our comments below, Sign up to our newsletter and receive $250 of FREE Trafalgar travel credit. In the more well-to-do-homes this was 11 or 13, with 13 being the preferred number as it represented the number that sat down at the Last Supper. Sheila said, Polish people (in general) are not very good in being understandable and tolerant. The wedding is one of the most important family celebrations. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that reconstruction became widespread by comparing Slavic data with data from other Indo-European (Baltic, Iranian, German, etc.) They would take place . Quite often forgotten and preserved only in some rural areas, the celebrations surface now in the 21st century as another idea for a fun summer activity. Then they kindle new fires in their home, to signify the renewal of faith and greeting of the spring. In 1954, the Polish writer Ewa Szelburg Zarembina composed a fairy tale inspired by the folklore motifs of the Warsaw Mermaid Story. It does not mean that there is no possibility of conducting ones life according to the rules taken from the other faiths (unless theyre contradictory to Rodzimowierstwo), fascination by the other culture or having friends, family or know the people who have the other dominant faith.. Fish was served in the families who could afford it. According to the Polish folk myth from the pre-Christian Slavic tradition, the . Family picnic on St Johns Day, fireworks display and concerts. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Yet, even in Poland, one of the most Christianized European countries, Pagan religionsare growing within the shadow of the Church. Instead, he is a saintly, more dignified figure, dressed in the regal purple and gold robe, wearing a cape and bishops hat, and carrying a crosier (a crooked staff, the symbol of his bishop station). The last rite included a funeral banquet. Along with the practice of Wicca and Rodzimowierstwo, age-old folk magic traditions continue to be practiced in Poland. There are some clashes, but it is more connected to political rather than religious reasons. We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance, and a better experience for our users. It was so essential and played such a vital roll in wedding activities that where other customs have disappeared altogether, the Oczepiny has survived to this day. The very word Wigilia, which in Poland was formerly known as the day before a feast day is now used only as the day before Christs birth. I never got back to the business to get his contact information either. The chosen girl went to church in great pomp and ceremony, wearing the wreath on her head while sitting in a wagon pulled by four horses decorated in greenery and surrounded by other young maidens wearing flowers in their hair. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The candles were to symbolize the eternal light for which the soul yearns . Wrocaw decided to organise a family event with wreath-floating, starting from 3 pm and lasting almost until midnight. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Due to the tradition of eating fatty or sweet foods before the start of Lent, which calls for fasting, Poles have adopted the custom of eating paczki, or Polish donuts. According to Rogalinski, Rodzimowierstwo has three of these formally organized groups. After everyone had an opportunity to share the wafer, the supper could begin. Wianki (literally wreaths in English) is an event that can however be traced back to the bygone days of paganism and has preserved some of its original character. POLAND This European Union member state is a bastion of Roman Catholicism, with as many as 37 million adherents (87.5% of the total population) today. People bless the eggs on Easter, they decorate the table with green, they have a Christmas tree, they eat the meals that are traditionally connected with Winter Solstice, they hang mistletoe, they celebrate Pagan Dziady (the festival connected to death) and they have to add some invented holidays (e.g. This was done with one glass which traveled from hand to hand. All the events above are free of charge. Among the many demons in Polish folklore, there is a benevolent character called Skarbnik who is a friendly mythological figure. Marzanna was the goddess who personified winter. All Saints Day, November 1st, traditionally has been associated in Polish legend with ghosts and wayward souls. Some customs varied at different sections of Poland, but the importance of the holiday was general in the whole country. They are not always accompanied by wreath-floating over the water (although you may spot many Polish girls sporting flower crowns with pride), but have gained the character of a family picnic and a night out full of free concerts. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Pisanki from different regions of Poland can be distinguished by the unique patters. His name is celebrated more in some Central European countries than is Christmas itself. He first encountered the tradition in 1978, before it had acquired the standardized name. 2. The most popular Pagan path practiced in Poland is Rodzimowierstwo (native faith), an indigenous form of Slavic polytheism. Next, Sir Twardowski had to face the devil and his inevitable tragic fate. If there were many stars, they rejoiced, for as many stars as there were in the heavens, that many sheaves of grain would be harvested the next year. t.src = 'https://' + cdn + '/media/js/common/plugin_goconnect_embed.js'; There is one day in the year when the consumption of water in Poland shoots up. I wish I had gotten his info. The Poles called it the Shepherd Mass, because the shepherds were first to greet the new born Christ. It is a Polish tradition to offer the birthday boy or girl 100 years of good wishes, good health and long life. There will be less pop music and more real histry of ancient Slavic tribes. The main event on the night of engagement was the tying together of the hands of the couple to be married. Religion is not the subject of discussion; it is not discussed because of its personal character.. The Easter table will be covered with a white tablecloth. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fortune telling, singing, and general merriment might round out this thoroughly enjoyable evening. All myths and mythical creatures primarily come from the need to explain reality. From the PGST News Vol. Whether he should pursue his opponents through the dark woods and steep mountains where they had gone or to return back and admit that he was defeated in great shame in front of his people. The host leaves an empty chair for the deceased and sweeps it away before everyone sits at the table to excuse the soul who isnt there. container.appendChild(ins); These willow twigs are used on Palm Sunday as palms to be blessed in the church. Mirrors were turned to the wall so that the soul would not be captured in the room. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In Poland, Sw. Mikolaj is not an oversized man with red pompom topped cap, red Jacket, and riding boots. The young people break the solemnity of Easter by a burst of frivolity. The most popular Pagan path practiced in Poland is Rodzimowierstwo ("native faith"), an indigenous form of Slavic polytheism. I know some cases when people following other than Catholic paths are discriminated, especially in smaller places and in the villages where people point the finger at those who do not attend mass. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; According to the legend, the brothers Lech, Czech, and Rus were hunting together when each of them headed to a different direction where they would later settle and establish their tribe. If you require more information please view our. According to folklorists' research and findings, Slavic folklore contains a great number of spells, charms., incantations, practical rituals for love, relationships, work, fertility, protection, healing, divination, communicating with old spirits and ancestors, averting the evil eye and many others. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. published: Ewelina Nurczyk In case of a serious threat or catastrophe in the mine, the Treasurer shows up to warn the miners by flickering a lamp, appearing in front of them, or hitting the ground strong enough so they could hear him. It is also said that if somebody is too loud, misbehaves, or curses, Skarbnik may hit one with a lamp. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. She was often given a handsome reward consisting of either money or some gift. Adherents tend to use a reconstructionist methodology to rebuild their native faith, which has not spread through the English-speaking world as widely as some other European-based Heathen religions. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); To make up for this, someone was always invited to make up the deficiency, be it honored guest or wandering beggar. Drawning Marzanna in the village Jeziorzany in 2014 [Photo Credit: Jacek wierczyski]. We are the most comprehensive English language resource dedicated to educating the world about ancient Slavs and modern Slavic nations alike. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); On that day in Poland, the youngsters are visited by Sw. Mikolaj. Eggs are artistically painted in various lovely and intricate patterns, and different sections of Poland are noted for their special designs. The Bible Another explanation is rooted in the New Testament. Jacek found the flower and made a wish to become rich. In preparation of this most important meal of the year, the table was first covered with straw or hay, and then with a white tablecloth. Moreover, Wet Monday celebrates the arrival of spring and the future of a relationship. The custom of caroling in Poland, or Chodzenie Po Koledzie, began on St. Stephans and lasted until the Feast of the Purification on February 2. According to this legend, the King and his knights were fighting a battle where Boleslaw lost his life. The Myth of the Mermaid of Warsaw is one of the major myths in Polish history especially when it comes to the city of Krakow. Despite their religious beliefs, several Polish traditions are rooted in Pagan rites. pulling a wagon on which stood the driver, cracking his whip for everyone to get out of his way. The people wait for the priest to bless it, then each person takes a flaming piece of wood from the fire and hurriedly carries it home. According to some theories, the monster is a giant catfish which have been reported as creatures who attack water birds and small animals. At that time, Leszek the Black is in Krakow but when the news about this unfortunate event reaches him, he quickly decides to go to Lublin and defend his people. he has come! St. Nicholas entered, filling the room with not only his presence, but with his smile, the twinkle in his eye and his teasing booming voice. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit. It can be classified as polytheism, but instead of gods, there are Christian saints who had replaced gods and taken over their qualities. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Siliniez - A wood god from Poland who moss was sacred; his altar fire was kept burning only with moss. 7. In Slavic legend, a sacred oak tree was the home of all beings; the top branches were the heavens, the trunk and lower branches the realms of men, and the roots were the underworld. Gniezno was the first capital of Poland and the name meant home or nest while the white eagle stood as a symbol of power and pride. And Polish Easter, besides the spiritual factor, is mostly that. Laszka shared a narrative that is common in other parts of the worldwhereChristian traditions draw upon Pagan practices. St. Stephans Day marked the end of work contracts for the year; new bargains were struck for the upcoming year. However, the devil was even more than Sir Twardowski so, one day, he tricked him and made him visit an inn that was named Rome. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; It is looking for similarities and helping those who are nearest to us, it is not about fighting other people.. It is greeted with such mystical symbolism, that it is considered by many to be a greater holiday than Christmas itself. When he came back to the village, no one recognized him and he went back to his castle. What would be more surprising to see would be people dressed as goats, horses, roosters, a devil, and grim reaper. The Polish believe the girl who gets the most soaked in the celebration will be the first to marry. Going back to the earliest, notable stages of history, we may conclude that many phenomena were hard to be comprehended and one of the ways to tackle this was to create a belief system that will put the existence of supernatural powers and creatures forward. Harvest Holiday, August 15 (Dozynki) As you might suspect, Poland has a whole series of customs and traditions surrounding Easter, which range from pious to playful, to downright pagan. On Thursday of the Holy Week, there is a ceremonial washing of the feet of twelve impoverished old men at the church, in memory of the Last Supper. If a young lad would catch the wreath that was made by his beloved he could ask for her hand. The severe cold weather and deep snows made family hold their festivities near the hearth within family groups. var cdn = window.StacklaGoConnectConfig ? In Poland, fortune telling sets the mood for this evening of merriment which might be the theme for an autumn social gathering. The usual practice of creating and defining heraldry in western Europe put the heads of the state and knights as decision-makers. In the scriptures, the Holy Family was en route to Nazareth when the Virgin Mary went into labour, forcing the family to find shelter. The Kutia was made from hulled barley or wheat, which was cooked and sweetened with honey. migus-dyngus (Polish pronunciation: [migus dnus]) is a formerly pagan and now a Roman Catholic celebration held on Easter Monday across Central Europe, and in small parts of Eastern and Southern Europe.The tradition is widely associated with Poland and is observed by Polish Diaspora communities, particularly among Polish Americans who call it Dyngus Day. The Legend of King Boleslaw, the Brave, and his Knights is about a mighty and courageous ruler who has united Poland and exalted her state power. Walenty was a dedicated miner who was completely in love and obsessed with his work, so he made a plea to God to let him stay in the mines after he dies. The Bible Another explanation is rooted in the New Testament. Satanic Temple candidate loses primary bid, https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/. Every year on the night of 2nd November, the Polish people pay their respects to their late friends and relatives by lighting candles in cemeteries across Poland. Tomasz Rogalinski calls Rodzimowiercy to ritual. The host leaves an empty chair for the deceased and sweeps it away before everyone sits at the table to excuse the soul who isn't there. Polish Easter Tradations. Polish demons and mythical creatures dont live underground but in mountains, forests, or swamps where they can meet people and animals. Sometimes the owner removed the wreath from the girl himself and placed it aside. Mythologies have fascinated humanity and civilizations for centuries. Then mashed poppy seeds, raisins and nuts were added. Polish Traditions (Tradycje Polskie) All Saints All Souls Day, November 1st and 2nd (Dzien Wszystkich Swietych Dzien Zaduszny) Christmas Day (Boze Narodzenia) Harvest Holiday, August 15 (Dozynki) Feast of Greenery, September 8th (Matki Boskiej Zielnej) Feast Of the Three Kings (Trzech Kroli) Palm Sunday in Poland Pisanki (Polish Easter Eggs) The Warsaw Mermaid is also a renowned symbol of Warsaw and her figure is part of the Polish capitals coat of arms. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); Wianki (literally 'wreaths' in English) is an event that can however be traced back to the bygone days of paganism and has preserved some of its original character. Easter in Poland is a beautiful Polish holiday that straddles Christian and pagan traditions. Rogalinski explained more of the tenets of this native religion, which varies depending upon the source material. The part of the festivities that everyone had been waiting for, the dancing and refreshments, began in earnest. The other form of Christmas caroling was Herody. Wearing the wreath was considered an honor. According to the Polish folk myth from the pre-Christian Slavic tradition, the waters were inhabited with water spirits of western Poland that were called Rusalka and it was said that they were the spirits of dead young women which continued to wander around on Earth, seeking a way to draw life energy from people and other earthly living beings. It gets especially serious when it comes to food-related events. Every year around 21st and 22nd of June, when the nights were extra short and the June solstice arrived, pagan people celebrated fire, water, fertility, love and joy - quite a pagan alternative to modern-day Valentines! After years went by, he came back and found that all members of his family were dead. There is a lot of debate as to the origins of this custom, but three different explanations emerge: Pagan riteDespite their religious beliefs, several Polish traditions are rooted in Pagan rites. Often, singing or the reciting of old verses accompany the procession: Marzanna, Marzanna, swim across the seas. ins.style.display = 'block'; XI No.2 Summer 1994 by Stan Garczynski, All Saints All Souls Day, November 1st and 2nd, Feast of Greenery, September 8th (Matki Boskiej Zielnej), Polish Easter Customs (Polskie Tradycje Wielkanocne), St. Andrews Night, November 30th (Noc Sw. Andrzeja albo Andrzejki), St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (Sw. Mikolaja albo Mikolajki). After rewarding those that offered the wreath, the owner signaled to the musicians to start playing. They are symbols of hospitality and conjugal harmony. Polish mythology is mainly associated with distinctive and vivid demonology full of monstrous creatures, witches, evil spirits, and werewolves. He rebuked the mischievous, praised the obedient, listening to the children recite their catechism and prayers, and passed around heart shaped Pierniki, honey cookies, holy pictures and big red apples, which he produced magically from under his cloak. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The Legend of the Dragon of Krakow (Wawel Dragon), 4. If staying dry is your preferred state of self, dont visit Poland on Wet Monday. Starosta (an intermediary) joined the right hands of the couple above the bread, tied them together with white cloth, and made the sign of the cross over their joined hands representing the joined endeavors of the man and woman to prepare the bread that they always have bread beneath their hands. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The first recorded Polish writing on Dyngus dates back to the Middle Ages. On the wedding day it was customary to have musicians playing as the wedding guest began arriving at the Dom Weselny (wedding home). Thank You in Polish? They were able to suppress particular Pagan traditions, but the beliefs and practices simply lived on as folklore or embedded itself in the conquering faith or found a million other outlets through art and literature etc. Starting on Good Friday and through Saturday, every one visits the various churches in town to view Christs sepulchers so beautifully and artistically arranged and bathed in flowers. In some areas of Poland, a loaf of common, everyday bread was placed on top of it and topped with more Oplatek. 2014 - 2023Grupa MBE sp. Written by Magda Marczewska on April 5, 2021 One of the craziest Polish traditions is Wet Monday - also known as migus Dyngus! Egg Battles Behind this wondrous bird that spread its wings, appeared the red- golden sun and Lech thought that this is a sign to stay at this place which he named Gniezno. Old fire in the house is put out, then a large bonfire is made in the churchyard. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; These bouquets are carried home and kept until the name day of the following year. Binding all the traditions together are the beliefs in native Slavic gods, theofferings of mead and food (traditionally groats, white cheese, and bread), a code based on principles of honor, responsibility, and courage, and thecircles of responsibility, which centers on family and widensto include community. Still, this being one of the most important celebrations of Christianity as well as one of the most anticipated of Polish spring traditions, it is loved and celebrated both by . (eiderdown)! The crowd ate, drank and danced. The legend has remained a mystery even today as it has been said that there are witnesses who have confirmed seeing an enormous snake coming out of the water and upsetting the boats on the river Obra. April 9, 2019. In fact, Easter in Poland is arguably the most import The bride and groom then went to invite their godparents. If the day was fair but it rained or snowed during the night, then it foretold that the first half of the month would be fair but the second half would be damp. The belief was that those sitting down to eat must add up to an even number. The Legend of Leszek the Blacks Dream is inspired by the folklore tale about the Polish prince Sen Leszka Czarnego who belonged to the Piast dynasty and ruled in the 13th century. It was also the official day for caroling to begin. The entire family washed themselves in this water in order to assure plenty of money for the rest of their lives. All told, while laws and aspects of the culture present very real obstacles for Polish Pagans, the small community does enjoy the freedom to practice and continues to eagerly expand despite the very large shadow of the countrys dominant religion. The Mermaid of Warsaw tried to seduce the Prince by showing him a beautiful place that he was so marveled by that he decided to build a city upon it. Salt had equal footing with bread in all family customs from birth to death. It is, in fact, unique among Pagan paths. Throughout the Holy Week until the blessing of the fires on Holy Saturday, the Poles are engaged in traditional Easter activities. The entire procession stopped at the gate leading to the manor house, its members continuing to sing until the owner emerged. My Belarussian grandfather married a Polish woman. The interest in such practices is marginal, but is becoming bigger.. Near this settlement was the castle Wawel Hill where King Krakus ruled. Many of the traditions and beliefs are still here today in slightly adapted forms. var slotId = 'div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-box-3-0_1'; The dish was set down in a place of honor on a bench near the Wigilia table and it was the first dish to be eaten. Like in many other European countries, the arrival of summer is celebrated on St. John's Eve in Poland. Smigus Dyngus The Wigilia supper is so special there is no other like it throughout the year. This is consistent with my personal history. Behind the wagon, on horseback, rode the master of ceremonies, the Starosta and the best man with a bottle of vodka who alternately offered it to the wagon driver. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); Then we had to change our clothes because there wasnt a dry thread on the girls and we boys were not better off., From the PGST News Vol. An odd number foretold that someone would not live to the next Christmas Eve supper. And many customs take from Polish pagan traditions. Because engagement was as binding as the marriage itself, it was always done in a public act in front of family and friends who acted as witnesses. Laszka, who also practices Rodzimowierstwo, thinks the total number following the tradition is 10,000. Palm Sunday in Poland Meet the Slavs is your most comprehensive online resource about Slavic people, their cuisine, culture, history, mythology, and more. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Everyone hurried to be first to cut the top of a spruce or fir and other branches. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); The myth about the Polish Eagle is one of the most recognized in Poland since this bird is the symbol of the Polish Republic and it is also a focal element in the Polish crest and the Polish coat of arms. This day became known for generations to come as the holiday which strengthened family ties. And join more than 6 thousand other people. The top of the spruce or pine was hung from a beam in the ceiling, with the tip facing down over the table where the Wigilia was to be held. One of the traditional dishes was Kutia, which was served in both the homes of the nobility and the serfs. Up with the Piwezyny! It does not store any personal data. The Warsaw Mermaid was a character that served as an inspiration and a staple figure in many literary works as well as visual artworks. If you happen to visit Poland the day before Lent, take a gander at the snaking queues outside every bakery. window.StacklaGoConnectConfig.cdn : 'assetscdn.stackla.com'; It is believed that the brave kings life ended in the mountain Giewont which forms a great part of the Tatra mountains and that if one looks at it from far, they will see the head of the King and his knights. Suddenly, a fairy came up to him and told him to go to the forest and find the flower of the fern which blossomed only on that night. Polish traditions through the year are full of superstitions, rituals, and holiday celebrations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Poprawiny means starting the wedding party all over again. He remembered that he mustnt share his fortune. First, invitations were issued to relatives or friends to act as groomsmen or bridesmaids. Because of its origin, many over the years have tried to put an end to this tradition, unsuccessfully. ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. At this place, she met the Mazovian Prince who was wandering around. In Poland, no-one would dream of wishing their friend a good year on their birthday. After getting the girls out of their beds, the boys will douse them with water. It was the moment when the Czepek the cap of married woman was placed upon the head at her wedding celebration. Get 1-2 emails a month with the latest articles on Slavic culture, mythology and history. Those caught rebelling were deported to Siberia. Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click JOIN. He encouraged him to carry on with his pursuit and told him that he will soon celebrate his victory.

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