Czech Christmas Eve has always carried a touch of magic. Long ago, people believed it was the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the future. After Christmas dinner, traditionally held on December 24th, families would gather to try old rituals and see what the next year might bring. Many of these customs have been passed down through generations. Most often, people asked about love, health, or the harvest.
Wondering how they did it? Here are a few of the examples!
Slicing an apple
After dinner, the father would slice an apple for each family member. If a perfect star appeared inside, it meant good health for the coming year. But if the apple showed a cross or was wormy, it was a bad omen, foretelling illness or even death!
Crack the walnuts
Health predictions were also made using walnuts. Each person picked one from a bowl and cracked it open. A healthy kernel promised good health, while a black or wormy nut was seen as a sign of trouble ahead.
Floating walnut candles
This was a favorite family ritual. Each person placed a small candle boat, made from a half walnut shell, into a bowl of water and set it afloat. The movement of the candles-or "boats"-was observed to predict the future. Would the family stay together, or would someone set off on a long journey?
Casting lead
Another popular way to divine the future was by melting lead. The molten lead was poured into water, and the shapes it formed were carefully examined to guess what the year ahead might bring.
Throwing shoes
Unmarried girls had their own special rituals. One popular tradition was shoe throwing. The girl would stand with her back to the door and toss a shoe over her shoulder. If the toe pointed toward the door, it meant she would marry soon. If the heel pointed out, she would stay home for another year.
Shaking the elder tree
Another custom for young women involved shaking the elder tree outside while reciting: "Třesu třesu bez, pověz ty mi pes, kde můj milý dnes!" (Shake, shake, shake the elder tree, tell me, dog, where my love will be!). They would listen carefully, and whichever direction a dog barked from, it was believed their future husband would come from there.
Face in the water
Some girls headed to a river or pond to see their future. They would stare into the water, thinking intensely about marriage, hoping to see the face of their future husband reflected in the surface.
Apple peel letters
After dinner, girls peeled apples, trying to create one long, unbroken strip. Then, they tossed the peel behind them. The shape it landed in was said to reveal the first letter of their beloved's name.
Talking animals
Even the animals joined the festivities! Crumbs from Christmas dinner were taken to the stables because, at that moment, it was believed the animals could speak with human voices. But there was a catch-whoever heard them was forbidden to share what they said!
Did you enjoy these charming traditions the Czechs once used to predict their futures on Christmas Eve? Which one is your favorite? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Maybe you will even try one of these rituals yourself this year and bring a little touch of Czech history to your holiday!
Debbie says
Every christmas eve we cut apples and crack walnuts. Merry Christmas!
Pat Boyle says
My Czech family would light a candle and then blow out the flame. The smoke from the candle was to determine if you would still be around the following year. If the smoke went sideways the prediction is you would not be here the next year. If it went straight up then you should be present the next year! This took place at Christmas Eve dinner.
Pat
Rose says
Entertaining rituals! Thank you. Babi never shared these with us. We passed an oplathky but that’s it. I like the star in the apple. My Italian husband enjoyed the dog barking story. I’m sharing your thoughts with my family.
Renata says
Dear Petra and family! We wish you a very Merry Christmas. I baked your Masarikovou Cukrovi, Orechova Zavin and Vanocka! Yum, delicious. Thank you for your posts and historical information.
Josef says
Veselé Vánoce ! Merry Christmas !
I would like to make a comment regarding the web page that describes the traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
It mentions Schnitzel as the main course.
This may be the case in Northern Bohemia which is heavily influenced by German culture and traditions.
But in the rest of the country, fried crumbed carp is the unquestionable tradition.
Regarding having apple strudel after eating the Christmas cookies - again, I have never heard of this.
As much as everybody loves apple strudel, Christmas is the time for Christmas cookies.
When I was a kid, about 70 years ago, nanukové dorty - icecream cake - started to be popular. But as a desert, i.e. the last course of the meal.
Josef
P.S. Thanks to pani Petře for this lovely website promoting Czech and Slovak culinary traditions in English - preserving them for future generations of the Czech and Slovak diaspora, and for everybody else interested in the many traditions of this World.
milo says
Well said, Josef!
Danielle says
Thanks for sharing the fortune telling traditions! As a mother, I didn't like the tradition of the walnut boats much, because I hated to see one boat float away from the others. I thought it mean that person would be distanced from us or something bad would happen to them, and that would spoil my Christmas!
milo says
Wonderful X-mas customs for the Family time around the table, thank you Petra!
Petra Kupská says
We had wonderfull time, and thank you. I hope you enjoyed them as well.