Just like with most parts of the world, Christmas in Czech is characterized by celebrations, presents, colors, and shining lights. This holiday is, however, filled with traditions that are somewhat out of the ordinary.
Read on to discover how the Czechs celebrate the Christmas holiday.
Christmas Eve
December 24th, also known as the Štědrý den or the “Generous Day” is considered the most important day of Christmas. On this day, a bountiful of food is served for Christmas dinner.
The Czech Christmas meal consists of carp complemented with potato salad and soup. This fish is caught days earlier and placed in a bathtub where visitors, and kids alike, pat it like a pet.
People will remove a single scale from the fish and place it in their wallet or purse with the belief that it will bring them more money in the coming year.
While some turn it into dinner, others release it back into the river.
Oddly enough, food shouldn’t be served until the first star emerges from the sky. Those who fast all day expect to see the golden pig flying in the sky, which is believed to be good luck.
Christmas Presents
Kids in the Czech Republic believe that their presents are brought by Santa who lives high in the mountains of Boží Dar. They also believe that He has a post office from where he receives all the letters addressed to Him.
On Christmas, the kids stay away from the room that hosts the Christmas tree and return as soon as they hear the tinkle of a bell. This signifies that Jesus has placed their presents under the tree.
The 25th and 26th
These two days are referred to as the first and second Christmas.
On the first day, also known as Boží hod vánoční, people enjoy traditional meals like apple strudel and Christmas bread (vánočka).
On the second day (Sv. Štěpán), the folks sing Christmas carols or simply make merry with their relatives and friends.
In the Czech, Christmas is a Christian-rooted holiday that’s perceived as a time of peace, love, generosity, and celebrations with friends and families.
In this country, the festivities cannot be complete without singing the Christmas carols, decorating the Christmas tree and consuming the Christmas feast.
In the Czech language, Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Veselé Vánoce’. It is interesting to know how people wish Happy or Merry Christmas in other languages.
Learn More With the Help of Video
Main Points About Christmas in the Czech Republic
- The people of the Czech Republic see Christmas as a time of peace, love, quiet and a celebration of families and loved ones.
- The center of Czech’s Christmas season is the Christmas eve (The Generous Day).
- It is very popular for many people to fast in the hope to see a vision of ‘the golden piglet’. This is believed to be a sign of good luck.
- The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas eve. This meal includes fish soup, fried carp, potato salad, apple strudel, and a traditional Christmas bread.
- Instead of Santa Claus, Czech children believe that baby Jesus brings gifts to the room through the window.
Conclusion
Another country for St. Nicholas to travel to! Unlike in the Netherlands for example, he has one or several angels and devils with him.
After reciting a poem you will get a basket of gifts if you’ve been good, or a piece of coal if you’ve been bad!
Christmas is mainly celebrated on Christmas Eve and many people hope to see a golden pig on the wall, which will bring them good luck.
Word Cloud for Christmas in the Czech Republic
The following is a collection of the most used terms in this article on Christmas in Czech Republic. This should help in recalling related terms as used in this article at a later stage for you.
- http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/christmas.html
- https://www.czechtourism.com/n/celebrate-christmas-like-a-czech/
- https://theculturetrip.com/europe/czech-republic/articles/5-christmas-traditions-only-czechs-will-understand/
Last Updated : 24 November, 2023
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The insight into Czech Christmas traditions is fascinating, particularly the unique folklore and stories that accompany the holiday. It’s a testament to the enchanting spirit of the season.
Christmas in Czech seems to be a very family-oriented celebration, which is something that is very lovely to hear about. It is interesting to know about the concept of the golden pig, and the tradition of releasing the carp back into the river.
I agree! The traditions and stories behind them are very unique and fascinating.
The traditional Christmas meal in Czech sounds delicious. The belief in the golden piglet and the fish scale bringing financial luck are both interesting folklore beliefs that add a unique touch to the celebrations.
The folklore and traditions surrounding the Czech Christmas celebration are very intriguing and enriching, making it an event worth experiencing.
It’s enlightening to learn about the heartwarming traditions of Christmas in the Czech Republic, where joy and family togetherness are central themes. The local customs, especially the unique folklore tales, are indeed captivating.
It’s great to hear about the rich traditions and values associated with Czech Christmas.
The enchanting traditions and customs make the Czech Christmas a remarkable celebration.
The cultural richness and depth of Czech Christmas traditions are truly captivating, creating a magical and heartwarming atmosphere for the holiday season. Learning about different holiday customs around the world is always enlightening.
The Czech Christmas celebrations sound intriguing, particularly how children await the sound of the bell to indicate that their presents have been placed under the tree. The folklore and traditions give the holiday a magical feel.
Yes, they add an enchanting quality to the festive season.
The mystical elements associated with the Czech Christmas are quite captivating indeed.
Christmas Eve seems to hold great significance in Czech Christmas celebrations, with the traditions and folklore creating a wonderful sense of magic and wonder for both children and adults alike.
I am fascinated by Czech Christmas traditions, especially the emphasis on traditional meals and the uniqueness of the celebration. However, the idea of waiting for the first star to appear before serving the meal is quite curious.
Yes, the waiting for the first star adds an element of anticipation and ritual to the celebration.
It’s definitely a charming aspect of the Czech Christmas celebration.
The Czech Christmas customs are truly unique, and the folklore stories add an interesting dimension to the festive season. The anticipation and joy of the holiday are beautifully captured in the traditions.
The folkloric elements and celebratory traditions surrounding Czech Christmas are both interesting and heartwarming. The holiday customs are a reflection of the rich cultural heritage and values of the Czech Republic.