Merry Christmas And Happy New Year From Prague

24 December 2006, 12:04 - Culture
CZECH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS INSIDE!

Prague Holiday team wishes you merry Christmas and happy New Year. We hope you will join us next year in Prague and we promise - it is our resolution for the next year - that we try to make your stay even more comfortable.

If you missed the opportunity to come to Prague for the Christmas this year, share Prague atmosphere by photos from Old Town Square with its 22-meters tall Christmas tree. Join us on our virtual walk through Christmas tradions.

Do you know Czech Christmas traditions?

24 December (Stedry Den): This year, Christmas Eve falls on Sunday, which means that it is 4th advent Sunday as well.

During the day, preparations are made for celebrating Christmas: the tree is decorated by Christmas ornaments and chocolate, and cookies are prepared. A traditional evening meal of carp and potato salad is served. Additionally fish soup starts the whole dinner, which ends with dessert (apple strudel or vanocka - Christmas bread).

The are main three customs for the day, some of them are still observed now. They are connected with the prophesying the near future.

- The Cutting of the Apple

Apple is cut across to make two halves. If your core of the apple is making into star, you can expect happy year. But if you see a four-pointed cross, it mean according the superstition that someone at the table will fall ill or die next year.

- The Pouring of Lead

Small emblazed piece of lead is poured into the water. After that you look on the shape it makes and it shows what happens next year.

- The Floating of Walnut Shells

Small boats are made from one half of empty English walnut shell. Each "boat" with a burning candle is put into bowl of water. A shell that sinks mean bad luck to the person who gave it on the water.

Do not throw away fish scales! It is believed, that putting fish scale under plate brings wealth to the house. And if you carry such scale in a wallet for the next year, it will ensure that you do not run out of money for the year.

On midnight, the Christmas mass is served in churches.

25 December (Bozi hod Vanocni): The family attends church services and gathers around the table for a noon meal, which is traditionally goose with cabbage and dumplings.

26 December (2. svatek Vanocni, St. Stepan's day): Children go caroling for treats, as the Czech traditional folk song Koleda, koleda Stepane suggests.