polish pagan traditions

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. It can be classified as polytheism, but instead of gods, there are Christian saints who had replaced gods and taken over their qualities. Some are firmly rooted in the predominant religion of Poland, Roman Catholicism; others stem from pagan rites of the seasons. There is one day in the year when the consumption of water in Poland shoots up. Warsaw, Garlands over the Vistula River 23, Krakw, Wianki - a Celebration of Music 23. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. According to some theories, the monster is a giant catfish which have been reported as creatures who attack water birds and small animals. People believed that the water female spirits actually missed the human world which they once knew so they wanted to share company with men by encountering them and asking bread, salt, or onions from them. See you on a hopefully warm Saturday in the Podzamcze area, right next to the Multimedia Fountain Park and the Vistula! 13 Super-Polish Superstitions | Article | Culture.pl Unfortunately my die-hard rabid Catholic Polish grandmother put a stop to it calling it blasphemous, so, unfortunately, I didnt learn anything, which I regret to this day. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; 2. The nobleman was forcibly stranded on the moon forever. 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. He was dressed in a long white robe, wearing a tall head piece much like a bishops mitre, a long white flowing beard, and in his hand he held the shepherds staff. Pisanki from different regions of Poland can be distinguished by the unique patters. There is much pageantry in this church ritual, with the lifesize image of the stricken Savior lying in a grotto, guarded night and day by priests and faithful worshippers. X No.4 Winter 1993 by Stan Garczynski. The farm people bring to church great bouquets of herbs, vegetables, and corn, interwoven with a few flowers from the fields and gardens, which are blessed by the priest. They then literally throw winter into a lake or a river to drown. It is a delightful tradition, Dyngus or Smigus as this custom is called. Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. Another custom arising from the past, was the belief that spirits pervaded the home on this day. Palm Sunday in Poland I met a Rodzimowierstwo practitioner living in Portland, ME. As the day began to darken and family members began to ready themselves for the evening meal, a child was sent out to look for the first star in the sky. Polish law does not provide it. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The most common decorating technique is so called wax-flowing or wax-melting. Growing up, I never connected with my Polish ancestry, even as it marked me with the unwieldy last name Swankowski. On their way to the Mass, they carefully observed the heavens. 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. Easter in Poland: Traditions Through the Ages - The Northern Vox Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Wearing the wreath was considered an honor. Christmas Day (Boze Narodzenia) Pagan religion is the default operating system of the human soul, so much so that I believe the essence of it is hardwired in some way. Top 10 Polish Wedding Traditions - Meet the Slavs However, in the view of Nefrestim, who is a second-generation Wiccan, the current governments conservative bent does make practicing openly uncomfortable. The shadow may also contain a clue to who the future husband might be (traits, interests, occupation). The popular and colorful celebrations were held by the nobility and larger landowners those owning large tracts of land that required hiring farmers from all around the countryside who had to be rewarded for their hard labor. The Warsaw Mermaid is also a renowned symbol of Warsaw and her figure is part of the Polish capitals coat of arms. var alS = 2002 % 1000; The story goes that King Boleslaw and the knights sleep in a big, dark cavern, lying with their swords, bows, and lances. There, Lech spotted a beautiful white eagle that seemed fierce and protective towards its cubs. We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance, and a better experience for our users. The humble open sandwich was created as far back as medieval times. container.style.maxHeight = container.style.minHeight + 'px'; From the PGST News Vol. First to be placed on the tables were bottles of vodka and beer, and the wedding banquet began with Zapicie, i.e., to wash down or to drink. On the last night of the wedding, the most important wedding custom of all took place. Some Polish Easter traditions reach back to earlier, pagan beliefs; some are fusions of pagan and adopted, Christian traditions. The custom was called Oczepiny. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It is said that if Poland ever needs them again, they will rise and serve their beloved country and nation. The first shoe to go over the threshold is that of the girl who will marry the earliest. In customs that can be documented back to the sixteenth century, the young couple was most often greeted at the entrance of the house with bread and salt. 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. The men crept through a window or through a chimney. Desserts really steal the show on Easter and often consist of cakes such as babka, mazurek, sernik (cheesecake) and more! Polish Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations - TripSavvy Then mashed poppy seeds, raisins and nuts were added. 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. 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. After obtaining permission to enter the house, the boys sang both religious and popular Christmas carols. Photo Gallery and Description of Poland Culture Page 1 - TripSavvy It is greeted with such mystical symbolism, that it is considered by many to be a greater holiday than Christmas itself. The Legend of Leszek the Blacks Dream, Slavic Mythology: Myths, Creatures and Stories, Top Prague Festivals for Each Month of the Year. Kolda: An (Old) New Year Tradition in Poland These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. One result of Church domination is a form of syncretic polytheism. Rogalinski explained more of the tenets of this native religion, which varies depending upon the source material. Feast Of the Three Kings (Trzech Kroli) I never got back to the business to get his contact information either. The Legend about Sir Twardowski and the Devil is, understandably, a devilish story about one of the most popular devils in Polish folklore that signed a pact with the nobleman Sir Twardowski in the 16th century. There were numerous variations on this custom, but in whatever form it appeared, the central elements were an uncut loaf of bread and a white towel or scarf. The church bells silenced on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, are now rung on Saturday at midnight in noisy celebration heralding the risen Lord. This is Easter Monday, and it is due to an ancient custom which is still observed both in villages and cities. Wigilia Christmas Eve Dinner. According to Rogalinski, Rodzimowierstwo has three of these formally organized groups. For example, drowning an effigy of Marzanna - to drive back winter and summon spring - dates back to Slavic faith, while Zaduszki, the Polish All Saints' Day, supplanted the older Slavic Forefathers' Eve. They just needed something to be at the same time of the year, because of the fact that Pagan festivals and traditions were preserved even despite the Christianisation. Dyngus began somewhat around five in the morning, and the custom demanded that the house where the women slept be secretly invaded. The legend of Janosik who is considered the Polish Robin Hoon, tells the story of Juraj Janosik who was a Slovak highwayman. Sw. Mikolaj does not live at the North Pole, but up in Heaven. The last rite included a funeral banquet. This day was spent in comparative quiet surroundings within the intimate family group. Usually several horse wagons with stately horses and guests dressed in their Sunday best with bouquets of flowers pinned to their heads, followed them. What do Polish cities have in store this year? When he became a king, the secret was revealed and he was banished from the country. It was believed that water on this day had the power to heal and prevent illness. The main obstacle is that there is no possibility to have a traditional burial. Everyone sang the bridesmaids, the groomsman, the musicians and the wagon driver. Laszka, who also practices Rodzimowierstwo, thinks the total number following the tradition is 10,000. The vigil lasted until the burial in order to protect the dead soul from evil spirits. In ancient times, when death entered a peasants house, all doors and windows were opened at the moment of passing. The whole country follows an age-old tradition which resembles one big water fight. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. During Easter, work, both occupational and domestic, is kept to a minimum. Many of the Pagans are solitary, making their numbers difficult to estimate, but they appear to be concentrated in the cities. Polish mythology is mainly associated with distinctive and vivid demonology full of monstrous creatures, witches, evil spirits, and werewolves. This most delicious of Polish customs offers one last chance to overindulge on anything and everything sweet which the largely Catholic population foregoes for Lent. There will be less pop music and more real histry of ancient Slavic tribes. One celebrates an Obiat (a feast) in memory of the deceased. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'adsensetype', 1); Slavic Magic: Rituals, Spells, and Herbs - Meet the Slavs In every house, from the richest to the poorest, the table is spread with food that is blessed on Holy Saturday. 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. Easter in Poland | Polish Easter Traditions & Foods - In Your Pocket The wreath, arriving only once a year, was cherished and given much care. From very early on, everyone was careful of conduct and observed everything that occurred in the house, garden and heavens. Along with the practice of Wicca and Rodzimowierstwo, age-old folk magic traditions continue to be practiced in Poland. While part of the Polish custom bonfires, singing and dancing resembles other celebrations all over the world, the traditional wild flower crowns and fortune-telling rituals date back to Slavic paganism. Why? One of the traditional dishes was Kutia, which was served in both the homes of the nobility and the serfs. The pagan Poles bickered with nature Dingen by means of pouring water and switching with willows to make themselves pure and worthy of the coming year. The nights were also part of the prognostication. The wedding feast also followed established traditions. In Poland, it took root in the 13th-15th centuries, and the tradition was to go door to door between 26 December (the second day of . More info about Krakw Wianki 2018 here. The girls knock on the windows and sing songs in praise of their spruce tree. Sheila said, Polish people (in general) are not very good in being understandable and tolerant. He was supposed to pass down what he learned to the eldest in the next generation: my mother. 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. From drowning winter to getting hitched twice, Polish traditions and customs often border on the bizarre but are certainly a highlight to discover. DYNGUS DAY - April 10, 2023 - National Today What would be more surprising to see would be people dressed as goats, horses, roosters, a devil, and grim reaper. Because of its origin, many over the years have tried to put an end to this tradition, unsuccessfully. The Starosta sang a song to open up and the door was opened by the mother who stood before the stoop, sprinkling the married couple with holy water. To make up for this, someone was always invited to make up the deficiency, be it honored guest or wandering beggar. Lacking reliable resources for many Pagan paths on paper or online, the alternative seeking a teacher in person can also be difficult, due to the low density of Pagans overall. Easter in Poland is a beautiful Polish holiday that straddles Christian and pagan traditions. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); Today, the bishops and their priests do this. It is the universal custom, among the common masses as well as among the distinguished, for men to soak the women on Easter Monday. With the appearance of the first star, the Wigilia meal would begin. Wrocaw decided to organise a family event with wreath-floating, starting from 3 pm and lasting almost until midnight. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; Skarbnik was wandering around the mines and observing, According to the legend, he is hidden but if one whistle, Skarbnik shows up and may punch one in the face. Manage Settings He first encountered the tradition in 1978, before it had acquired the standardized name. Jaselka is the general name given to the two forms of Christmas caroling called Szopka and Herody. Regardless of whether these historical events have influenced the generous hospitality of the Polish, their warm, welcoming nature is one of the most treasured of Polish traditions. A relic of the pagan Dziady ceremony is the Rkawka holiday, which derives its name from a man-made mound which eggs were rolled up, as a symbol of resurrection. ins.style.width = '100%'; Sometimes the male head of the house himself, in collusion with the perpetrators, let the men into the house himself to have his women folk abruptly awakened and doused liberally with water. Although sad, it is a remarkable sight to see and experience. The oldest form of Christmas caroling in Poland was with the Turon. Often rooted in religion, Polish traditions and customs remain as strong today as they did centuries ago. Laszkas number probably embraces a broader and more diffuse set of people who follow Facebook groups about Rodzimowierstwo and maybe sometimes visit a festival, etc. Palm Sunday, Easter palms. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. var ffid = 2; 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. He travels the countryside on foot, occasionally astride a white horse, blessing the children, and distributing goodies to well behaved children and swishes (rozgi) to the naughty. On Good Friday, in some houses mirrors are covered with black cloth and parents wake their children with twigs, whispering the words of a Lent prayer The wounds of God. To this day, eggs are a major item at Easter. She was often given a handsome reward consisting of either money or some gift. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; (eiderdown)! Christmas day had its traditional menu, but there was no special number of courses. 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. Holidays and Celebrations Szczodre Gody (Generous Festivities) - Winter solstice - December 21-22 Putting a tree of life at home, a ritual feast Jare wito (Spring Festival) - Spring equinox - March 21 Burning a sacred fire, drowning mammon, decorating eggs Noc Kupay (Night of Baths) - Summer solstice - June 21-22 These celebrations, often extended to the following night - 23rd/24th of June, when they were called the Kupala Night or Sobtka instead, were common among all Slavic and Baltic nations, or even further in Europe, but their popularity decreased with the arrival of Christianity, which successfully introduced a substitute holiday - St Johns Eve. On Holy Saturday afternoon, the mother of the family or an older child carries a basket filled with eggs, hams, sausage, pastries and Easter seasonings to be blessed by the parish priest. The wedding is one of the most important family celebrations. If you happen to visit Poland the day before Lent, take a gander at the snaking queues outside every bakery. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Single girls pour hot, melted wax into a bowl of cold water, and the hardened wax is then held up to the light. Native Polish Church or The Native Church of Poland, Rodzimy Koci Polski (RKP) - a West Slavic pagan religious association that refers to ethnic, pre-Christian beliefs of the Slavic people.The religion has its seat in Warsaw.Temples gathering local believers are spread throughout the country, The RKP was registered with the Polish Ministry of the Interior's registry of denominations . There must always be a roasted pigs head decked with flowers, ham, veal and the famous Polish sausage strongly flavored with garlic. After each psalm is sung, a candle light is extinguished to signify the sorrow over the torture of Christ. If a young lad would catch the wreath that was made by his beloved he could ask for her hand. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; A traditional meat-free Wigilia meal has 12 courses drawn from forest and ocean, field and orchard, representing the months of the year. Then there were Oprosiny or Zaprosiny (the invitations). According to the legend, the poor boy Jacek was too clumsy to participate in these rituals so he sat sad and alone. He was attracted to it because of hisextensive historical knowledge of the Slavs. Religion is not the subject of discussion; it is not discussed because of its personal character.. All Saints All Souls Day, November 1st and 2nd Consequently, Catholic Polish believe one must always be ready to accept an unexpected guest, never turning away anyone in need. The practice is symbolic for sending the winter away and preparing nature for spring and its rebirth. 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. In modern Poland, wianki is an event most commonly organised by city councils in major Polish agglomerations. while the city was named in recognition of Krakus II. 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. 7. Polish demons and mythical creatures dont live underground but in mountains, forests, or swamps where they can meet people and animals. Krakus called his sons Lech and Krakus II and tried to kill the dragon with them but they couldnt defeat it so they had to plot a different way to get rid of it. The Poles called it the Shepherd Mass, because the shepherds were first to greet the new born Christ. According to the pact, the nobleman had to give his soul to the devil in exchange for wisdom and supernatural powers. I know the case of a girl who was diagnosed as mentally ill by a Catholic psychiatrist, because she wasnt Catholic and believed in polytheism., I dont see persecutions preserved in the peoples minds, observed Laszka. The minute the enforcers of orthodoxy begin to loosen their grip, or a country accepts a degree of pluralism, it all comes roaring back to life . Crafted from the most beautiful ears of grain, the Dozynki wreath was made in the shape of a dome-shaped crown. Reportedly, the pact contained a stipulation that said that the soul of Twardowski can be collected exclusively in Rome. The resin in the wood keeps the fire aglow and people keep waving these wooden torches in the wind to keep the fire intact until they get home. The Polish also make a different version of these open sandwiches, however. lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId + '-asloaded'), { attributes: true }); .box-3-multi-110{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:10px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:10px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. There are some clashes, but it is more connected to political rather than religious reasons. ins.style.width = '100%'; 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. Very often, those people have problems with finding or maintaining their jobs. 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. The Bible Another explanation is rooted in the New Testament. It wasn't as bad as another kid in my elementary school classMichael . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Polish Legends, Traditions and Holidays - Polish Genealogical Society ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; Whoever it landed on was prophesied to marry before the others. Let flowers bloom, and fields turn green. 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