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Saint Andrew´s Day. How people in Poland celebrate it. Saint Andrew. he lived in Galilee ( present-day Israel ) a Christian apostle, a brother of Saint Peter his occupation was a fisherman he is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia. Saint Andrew´s Day in Poland.
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Saint Andrew´s Day How people in Poland celebrate it
Saint Andrew • he lived in Galilee ( present-day Israel ) • a Christian apostle, a brother of Saint Peter • his occupation was a fisherman • he is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia
Saint Andrew´s Day in Poland • the holiday is celebrated on the night of the 29th through the 30th of November • on this day there should be a fun night party combined with some fortune telling • the habit of fortune telling in Polish is called briefly Andrzejki • the main purpose ofAndrzejkiis to predict the future of an unmarried girl, especially her prospects for a good marriage
Andrzejki • There are lots of games/fortunes that are typical for this day in Poland • Here are some traditional games that are still played during the Andrzejki:
hot melted wax is poured through the hole in a key into a bowl of cold water in the past not a usual key was used to this ritual but a key from door in the church was the best hardened wax is held up to the light and the future is guessed from its shadow cast on the wall the lights are usually off (except the light of the candle), which adds to an unusual atmosphere of this evening 1. Pouring hot wax
Different meanings of the shadows: • heart or man= love • star = fortune and happy life • flower= nice surprise • ring = engagement • owl or fox = danger
shoes of all the girls are arranged in a straight line at the back of the room (each girl takes off just one shoe) the girl whose shoe is at the end takes it and moves it to the front of the line all the girls take turn to move their shoes towards the door the girl whose shoe would first cross the doorstep would be married first 2. Lining up shoes
3. Throwing shoes • all the girls are gathered in the middle of the room • each of them throws their left shoe towards the door • if the shoe falls down facing the door, it means fast wedding
4. The apple-peel toss • each participating girl peels an apple so the entire skin comes off in a single strand • she then flings the unbroken peel over her shoulder • the peel often lands on the floor and assumes the shape of a letter which is said to indicate the name of her future fiancé or husband • if the peel does not resemble any letter, that means the peel-tosser will not get engaged for some time
5. Pins • for this game either 7 or 13 pins are needed • the pins are placed in a cup and shaken well before thrown on the table • the letter formed by the pins is then read
Meanings of the letters • A–trip • E – happiness in love or in work • H – marriage • K – success in work • L – be careful • T – help of friends • V – somebody wants to use you • W – be afraid, cheater • X – happiness
6. Date of birth • date of birth must be expressed as one number • the final number will be the total sum of all the individual numbers For example: 21.01.1990 = 2+1+0+1+1+9+9+0=23 2+3=5
Meanings of the numbers: • 1 = ambitiuos • 2 = gentle • 3 = trustworthy • 4 = obstinate and sentimental • 5 = cheerful • 6 = sociable • 7 = romantic • 8 = underestimated • 9 = independent
7. Pieces of paper with male first names in a bowl • the bowl is filled with water with a candle floating in the middle • pieces of paper with male first names are put on the edges of the bowl • the first burnt paper piece indicates the name of the future husband
8. Pieces of paper under the pillow • girls and unmarried women put pieces of paper ( with the names of the boys they fancy ) under the pillow • the first thing in the morning they take out one piece of paper • the name on the paper reveals the name of the future husband
9. Three cups • three cups are flipped upside down to cover marriage ring, small cross and a piece of green plant • girls choose one cup which indicates their future fate: • the ring - the marriage • thecross- life as a nun in monastery • the green plant- the unmarried life
10. Barking dogs • when the dusk comes, you shouldlisten to the dog barking - from this direction the future husband will come
11. Dreams • try to remember your dream at St. Andrew´s night - if you see a man in a dream - this might be your future husband • look at thewater reflection in a well or in the mirror at midnight to see his face
Try some or all of the above games at your late-November get-together and see how much fun you and your group may have been missing. If you’re attending an Andzejki dance, do not be surprised to see everyone engaged in a little fortune telling as a part of the celebration.