During Christmas we have another very important holiday, the Epiphany, commonly known as Epiphany. Currently, January 6, apart from an additional day off from work, is associated primarily with a church celebration, and for several years now also with an event organized in many cities in Poland - the procession of the Three Kings. However, in ancient times this day was associated with many traditions and old Polish rituals. Learn about the past and present customs of celebrating Epiphany.

Epiphany - what holiday is it?

As we mentioned above, Epiphany is inextricably linked to Christmas and in the first centuries of Christianity it was celebrated on the same day, i.e. January 6. This tradition has survived in Orthodox churches. 

And who were the Three Kings? They are also called wise men from the East and magicians, and their names are: Casper, Melchior and Balthazar. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, the monarchs led by the star, set out on a long journey to pay homage to the Newborn Jesus and offer Him royal gifts: gold, myrrh and frankincense. To commemorate this event, on Epiphany Day, chalk and incense are blessed in churches, which the faithful then take to their homes. Then, with this consecrated chalk, they write the symbols K+M+B (the first letters of the kings' names) or C+M+B (Latin abbreviation: Christ bless this house) on the entrance door. 

How was Epiphany celebrated in the past?

In ancient Poland, Epiphany was a solemn day during which people visited each other, offered each other food and gave each other small gifts. Already on the eve of this holiday, the ritual of extinguishing the old fire in the hearth was performed in order to kindle a new flame the next day, often coming from church candles. From then on, it was forbidden to bring any other kind of fire into the house, because it was believed that such a fire could cause misfortune for the inhabitants.

Epiphany Eve was also a day when young girls went around the houses where potential candidates for husbands lived and sang Christmas carols to their hosts. However, they did not take any donations for this. Then all the inhabitants of the village met in one place to sing together and celebrate the upcoming Epiphany.

Have a generous day

Epiphany was also called a generous day when people gave gifts and housewives baked special bread, the so-called szczodraki, to offer it to arriving guests. The custom of walking on szczodrakas was also popular, 

i.e. visits to houses by children and carolers, also dressed as the Three Kings. In exchange for wishes for the hosts, singing carols or playing scenes from nativity plays, visitors received refreshments and small donations. Generally, on this day, no one was spared food and gifts, which also had a reference to the gifts offered to Jesus by the Three Kings. At the courts, servants received additional remuneration, and all children were given red apples and nuts, which were supposed to give them healthy faces and strong teeth.

Almond King

In Old Polish times, there was another interesting custom related to Epiphany, the most widespread in cities and court families. It was a game of almond king. In the beginning, an almond was hidden in one of the cookies or gingerbreads so that men could then draw them. Whoever got the cake with the filling became the almond king. The same rule of the game applied to women. In this way, an almond couple was selected, who sat in a place of honor at the table and received prizes. But at the same time, throughout the entire period of the beginning of the carnival, the king and queen were obliged to exercise their rule, and therefore organize fun for residents and guests.

How do we celebrate Epiphany today?

Currently, in Poland we do not cultivate as many different traditions and customs as were once observed on the occasion of Epiphany in villages and cities. It is worth mentioning here that, as a result of the actions of the communist authorities, for a period of 50 years, January 6 was no longer a holiday and non-working day. He became one again in 2011.

Although we are not returning to the old traditions of celebrating Epiphany in Poland, we can certainly admit that a new custom of celebrating this holiday has been developed, i.e. participation in the procession of the Three Kings. In many cities in the country and around the world, a street parade of children and adults dressed as characters from nativity plays is organized, including: angels, shepherds, kings. The remaining participants of the procession put paper crowns on their heads. The Procession of the Three Kings is a huge event in which several million Poles take part, and more and more new towns are joining this initiative and organizing street nativity plays for their inhabitants.