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These 12 Ancient Superstitions From Different Parts Of The World Let Us Glimpse At Where Our Christmas Traditions Came From
Christmas season is supposed to be a joyous occasion, coming together with family to celebrate the baby Jesus and enjoy each other’s company, share gifts and get festively plump on all the lovely food treats available.
That’s how it largely is these days anyway, but over the centuries, Christmas has grown in many different ways depending on the location you’re celebrating in. Many of the Christmas traditions we have today are deeply rooted in ancient beliefs, many of which are based on superstition.
Nowadays, we’re less likely to let our superstitions dictate what we do, but that’s not to say some of these Christmas superstitions haven’t carried on through the ages.Here, we take a look at 12 of our favourite weird and creepy
Christmas superstitions from around the world, contemplating how they’ve manifested themselves in today’s celebrations.
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Czechia/Czech Republic
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While many in western Europe favour meat or poultry as the traditional centrepiece of their Christmas dinner, in Eastern Europe, carp is more commonly served.
America
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There are a few Christmas superstitions that relate to marriage and finding the love of your life, but this one wins out for us.
Greece
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It seems that Greek people might have a thing for shoes at Christmas. They also believe that it’s a bad idea to give shoes as a gift during the festive period, otherwise you risk that person walking out of your life in the future.
Guatemala
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It’s always nice to have a clean and tidy house in preparation for the festive period, but in Guatemala, cleanliness really is next to Godliness. Locals believe that the devil and other evil spirits live in the dark, dirty corners of your home.
The ritual is called ‘La Quema del Diablo’ (or the ‘Burning of the Devil’), an effigy of the devil is placed on top of the rubbish pile and set alight.
England
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At one point in time, if you join an English family on the last Sunday before Advent, you’d probably be expected to help prepare the Christmas pudding. However, superstition dictates that there’s a very particular way of doing it though.
Philippines
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Christmas in the Philippines isn’t as big a deal as it is in other parts of the world, but there is still a sizable Christian population, and with that comes many traditions and superstitions that have been passed down through the generations.
Poland
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This superstition isn’t completely unique to Poland though. A number of European countries believe that babies born will turn into werewolves it seems. One has to wonder what happened on continental Europe for this superstition to take such a hold…
Latvia
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Fun Fact: The word Yule itself means wheel, the wheel being a pagan symbol for the sun.
Portugal
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Family is a big deal in Portuguese tradition and even more so over the festive period.
Serbia
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This one might just be our favourite. In Serbian Christmas traditions, the twelve days of Christmas were previously called the “unbaptized days” and they were considered a time when demonic forces of all kinds were believed to be more active and dangerous than usual.
Ukraine
Ever wondered where tinsel came from? Why do we decorate our Christmas trees in this glittery, fluffy-looking stuff? Turns out it might be Ukraine.
Spain
If you’re buying a gift for someone you don’t really like, then this Christmas superstition might work in your favour. However, if you’re buying for someone you love, it’s probably best to avoid anything with sharp edges.
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What do you think ?
Dannii Divito 2 years ago
I was once mistaken for the old hog in the american tradition. As for what I was doing in the the hog pen.? They're great company, and after thanks giving I'm sick of the family!
Euglena gracilis 2 years ago
I'm Polish and I've never heard of the illustrated superstition, neither do my Polish friends from across the country. It isn't common in Poland.
Dominika 2 years ago
I am Polish, I know ton of christmas superstition but the one above i just pure imagination. You want fun superstition in Poland? 1. Always put an extra plate for an unexpected guest during christmas EVE dinner, 2. On the christmas table during dinner three should be twelve dishes, and You have to try every one od them - do You will not miss anything on the upcoming year. 3 carp scales from Czech as well.
Load More Replies...
LK 2 years ago
Many cultures have a tradition of not giving knives or blades as a gift. A common way to get around this is for the gift receiver to give a small coin to the gift giver. This way the blades have been bought, not gifted.
hi it's Norma 2 years ago
In Finland we haver this saying that says if you stay quiet in Christmas eve sauna the summer will be mosquito free
Random Panda 2 years ago
"Christmas in the Philippines isn’t as big a deal as it is in other parts of the world..." My dude, Filipinos start Christmas in September.
LK 2 years ago
The date of the English tradition is incorrect. It is the last Sunday before Advent that Christmas puddings are traditionally made. This gives a month for the flavours to develop. There's even a name for it, Stir Up Sunday. This year (2022) it was the 20th of November.
Amy H (Post author) 2 years ago
It does say the last Sunday before Advent :)
Load More Replies...
XenoMurph 2 years ago
Imagine al the poor kids whose family and community treated them like a half human because they were born near Christmas. Two of my cousins were born on the 23rd, they are just the worst peopl.... hang on...
LK 2 years ago
Sorry, but they are fine (at least according to this tradition). Christmas Day is the first Day of Christmas, and the count continues from then on into January.
Load More Replies...
Marta Loureiro 2 years ago
I´m portuguese and I´ve never heard of this tradition - it´s quite creepy.
Dannii Divito 2 years ago
I was once mistaken for the old hog in the american tradition. As for what I was doing in the the hog pen.? They're great company, and after thanks giving I'm sick of the family!
Euglena gracilis 2 years ago
I'm Polish and I've never heard of the illustrated superstition, neither do my Polish friends from across the country. It isn't common in Poland.
Dominika 2 years ago
I am Polish, I know ton of christmas superstition but the one above i just pure imagination. You want fun superstition in Poland? 1. Always put an extra plate for an unexpected guest during christmas EVE dinner, 2. On the christmas table during dinner three should be twelve dishes, and You have to try every one od them - do You will not miss anything on the upcoming year. 3 carp scales from Czech as well.
Load More Replies... LK 2 years ago
Many cultures have a tradition of not giving knives or blades as a gift. A common way to get around this is for the gift receiver to give a small coin to the gift giver. This way the blades have been bought, not gifted.
hi it's Norma 2 years ago
In Finland we haver this saying that says if you stay quiet in Christmas eve sauna the summer will be mosquito free
Random Panda 2 years ago
"Christmas in the Philippines isn’t as big a deal as it is in other parts of the world..." My dude, Filipinos start Christmas in September.
LK 2 years ago
The date of the English tradition is incorrect. It is the last Sunday before Advent that Christmas puddings are traditionally made. This gives a month for the flavours to develop. There's even a name for it, Stir Up Sunday. This year (2022) it was the 20th of November.
Amy H (Post author) 2 years ago
It does say the last Sunday before Advent :)
Load More Replies... XenoMurph 2 years ago
Imagine al the poor kids whose family and community treated them like a half human because they were born near Christmas. Two of my cousins were born on the 23rd, they are just the worst peopl.... hang on...
LK 2 years ago
Sorry, but they are fine (at least according to this tradition). Christmas Day is the first Day of Christmas, and the count continues from then on into January.
Load More Replies... Marta Loureiro 2 years ago
I´m portuguese and I´ve never heard of this tradition - it´s quite creepy.
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