175:, where Christians began referring to the celebration of Christmas as the Feast of Lights. They interpret the badnjak as an incarnation of the spirit of vegetation, and as a divinity who dies by burning to be reborn, to whom sacrifices and prayers were offered for the fertility of fields, the health and happiness of the family, in which the rekindling of the hearth-fire symbolizes its importance and center of family life throughout many generations. In some parts, some people focus more on the cult of their dead, where they equate the burning fire to their departed family members.
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and migrations to cities, the badnjak tradition has recently been limited to more rural areas, as many urban homes do not have a hearth or fireplace, increasing the risk of a fire hazard, along with the fact that it is near impossible to cut one's own log in the city. Instead, some may choose to have
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Much like other
European countries, Croatia has specific traditional celebrations that go along with the felling and lighting of the badnjak. The day is spent in preparation for Christmas, with the home being decorated and the feast for the next day being prepared, and all chores must be done before
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is brought into the house by the head of the family, who greets the home with a
Christmas wish, and the straw is then spread under the table and throughout the house, symbolizing the birth of Christ in the manger. Families usually sit on the straw after dinner when gathered around the badnjak.
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Among Croats of the Roman
Catholic faith, Christmas Eve begins on December 24. Early in the morning, traditionally before dawn, the father or another male of the household goes into the forest to chop a piece of log, usually from an
330:, which first arrived in Croatia in the mid-19th century, is still relatively new and is usually decorated on Christmas Eve. Other more traditional Croatian decorations include children hanging greenery throughout the home, such as
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Croats is
December 24. The cutting, preparation, bringing in, and laying on the fire are surrounded by elaborate religious rituals, with many regional variations. The log is kept burning throughout
302:, where it serves as a special log upon which other logs are placed. In the villages, the ashes or charred fragments of the badnjak are scattered in the fields to assure a fruitful crop.
373:'s day), which will grow until Christmas and is then used to decorate the table on Christmas. The wheat is trimmed and usually wrapped with a red, white, and blue ribbon of the
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Throughout the day, the woman of the house prepares the
Christmas meal, which usually consists of many courses and desserts. Traditional foods include lamb, roasted pig,
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and would then cut it. When the father arrives back home with the badnjak, he announces "May Jesus and Mary be praised! I wish you a good
Christmas Eve" (
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times that has adapted to
Christianity. Today, the festive kindling of the log commemorates the fire that—according to folk tradition—the
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The
Badnjak must last all evening and in many regions, it is burned again. In certain regions, it is re-lit in the New Year on the
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http://www.kbf-st.hr/Casopisi/CUS_2008_1.htm#DRVO_BADNJAK_U_KR%C5%A0%C4%86ANSKOJ_TRADICIJSKOJ_KULTURI_Marko_Dragi%C4%87,_Split
259:. In the southern part, women would adorn the logs with leaves and flowers and wrap them around with red and gold ribbons. In
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are usually present in every
Christian home, and are generally kept under the tree or in another prominent location.
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Since
Christmas Eve is a fasting day, the family only has a small meal at dinnertime. For Badnjak supper, baklar (
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for example, the father would say, May Jesus be praised! I wish you a good Christmas Eve and Adam and Eve (
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There are many interpretations for the meaning of the badnjak, but scholars agree that it is a remnant of
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the badnjak is completely bathed in holy water. As the log is lit, the father of the family recites the
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on Christmas Day. The term badnjak lends itself to the literal meaning of Christmas Eve, with
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fish) from Dalmatia is eaten along with a salad or cabbage. A large supply of dried fruits,
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can be used. When the perfect tree is found, the father would invoke God by reciting the
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Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan, by Clement A. Miles, p.252-253
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wreaths, which are seen as a symbol of the strength of life in the middle of winter.
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is sprinkled on the badnjak, a family member toasts: "Drink to your health" (
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The log is cut with great ceremony on Christmas Eve morning, which for
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the ringing of the church bells and the lighting of the badnjak. The
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if it could be found, but, if the region does not have any, than
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Christmas customs and traditions, their history and significance
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When evening comes, the badnjak log is placed in the hearth. In
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Two badnjak logs, one with a carved-in cross, being lit in
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throughout the night. The badnjak may also be seen as a
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are in some parts of Croatia popular food on Badnjak.
529:Katolicki bogoslovni fakultet-Split, Marko Dragić:
234:Faljen Isus! Čestita vam badnja večer i Adam i Eva
226:Faljen Isus i Marija! Dobro Vam došla Badnja Večer
361:(wheat grass) are used for the Christmas candles.
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531:DRVO BADNJAK U KRŠĆANSKOJ TRADICIJSKOJ KULTURI
492:Zupa Sv. Kriza: PRIČA O NAŠEM HRVATSKOM BOŽIĆU
298:and sometimes it stays by the hearth until
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566:The World Encyclopedia of Christmas
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334:branches,
269:holy water
109:Badnji Dan
423:gugelhupf
411:orahnjača
344:evergreen
261:Dubrovnik
165:salvation
161:crucified
145:Bethlehem
141:shepherds
84:The term
80:Etymology
593:Archived
523:Archived
486:Archived
459:Yule log
448:See also
403:kroštule
371:St. Lucy
315:Kroštule
249:Dalmatia
230:Slavonia
202:oak tree
58:badnjak.
54:Croatian
46:yule log
442:almonds
438:walnuts
407:strudel
399:fritule
359:pšenica
319:fritule
240:day of
129:badnjak
119:Origins
86:badnjak
29:Badnjak
421:, and
285:rakija
281:Istria
157:symbol
127:A lit
105:Christ
98:bdjeti
22:Trogir
434:honey
387:sarma
379:straw
367:wheat
332:holly
265:wheat
257:grain
238:feast
214:maple
212:, or
210:olive
206:beech
193:bukar
189:Drniš
131:(log)
102:Jesus
94:badar
90:bodar
52:. In
440:and
395:pita
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342:and
336:sage
317:and
300:Lent
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153:Mary
149:born
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