Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 3, 2023

Festive Food Folklore - Day 3

A single girl wanting to know about her marriage prospects could approach the door of the henhouse on Christmas Eve, tap it smartly, and wait. If a hen cackled first, the chances for marriage during the coming year were poor. If a cock crowed, the future was bright and she should take an egg from the henhouse to use to determine his profession.

#Folklore @folklore #FestiveFolklore #Festive

Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 1, 2023

Festive Food Folklore - Day 1

This year I also have an advent calendar! It is loosely linked to the folklore & food facts that I will be sending out via social media but enriched with added extras like vintage folklore related footage & festive short stories.

https://bit.ly/3N5O26c

#Folklore @folklore #FestiveFolklore #festive

Advent Calendar

A festive feast of Folklore, Food and Story in an advent calendar.

Hestia's Kitchen
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 24, 2022
December 24
Ceremony of the Yule Candle in the Yorkshire Dales:12 candles were lit on Xmas Eve & the household would hold them alight for 10 minutes. Then all but one were blown out, the remaining candle was left to light the cutting of the cheese. All the family were given a piece of Christmas cheese & a Yule Cake (a fruited spiced drop cake, like a rock cake) The candle was alight for the rest of the night. #Folklore #FoodFolklore #Foodways #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFolklore @folklore
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 23, 2022
December 23
Iceland has so many wonderful Christmas traditions however some people are less fond of one of their more famous ones. Fermented skate is traditionally eaten on 23 December also known as ‘Þorláksmessa.’ On this day the shops stay open later and it is a tradition to share this delicacy with family & friends. It is definitely an acquired taste but is one that very good for clearing the sinuses.
#Folklore #FoodFolklore @folklore #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 22, 2022
December 22
During the Middle Ages, rosemary was spread on the floor at Christmas because it repelled evil spirits. The scent drifted through the home and It was said that anyone breathing the fragrance on Christmas Eve would receive happiness during the coming year. I would love if this could happen in my home but I feel modern practicalities might reduce my enjoyment & the cat would eat too much of it.
#Folklore #FoodFolklore #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore @folklore
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 20, 2022
December 20
St. Thomas Eve was once one of a number of nights for divination. A popular ritual was to peel a “St. Thomas Onion”, stick it with 9 pins & put it under your pillow, hoping that you would dream that night of your future husband. A more determined form of the ritual was to cut the onion into four, whispering over the segments the name of the one you hoped/expected to propose. #Folklore #FoodFolklore #Foodways #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore @folklore
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 19, 2022

December 19
As well as being naturally dressed in festive colours, it is believed to bring good luck if you eat an apple on Christmas Eve. Also If you slice an apple in 1/2 on Xmas day and it reveals a star, you will have health & happiness for the year ahead. Some also believe you can use the pips on St Thomas Eve to foretell a wedding.
#Folklore #FoodFolklore #Foodways #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore @folklore

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See 741 of the best free to download photos, images, and wallpapers by Moritz Kindler on Unsplash.

Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 18, 2022
December 18
Juniper is wonderful & not just because of gin: the branches offer protection & at midwinter, if you dream of picking the berries, there’ll be prosperity ahead. People once offered bread to the tree to encourage the tree spirit to heal small children.
At one time people would also pick an apple at harvest & save it to eat at the midwinter solstice to bring health.
#Folklore #FoodFolklore #Foodways #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore @folklore
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 16, 2022
December 16
Fish is important in many European Christmas meals including the Italian Feast of the 7 Fishes & the Carp tradition in the Czech Republic. Carp was purchased to eat for the Christmas Eve meal & scales of the fish were placed under plates on that evening to ensure health & prosperity. It was also said that if you carried a scale from the Carp eaten at Christmas in your pocket, you would have a year’s good fortune
#Folklore #FoodFolklore #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFolklore @folklore
Folklore, Food & FairytalesDec 15, 2022
December 15
The Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses is celebrated by Chelsea Pensioners annually by cutting a large cheese in honour of a cheesemaker who supplied cheese to feed the war veterans over the 1692 festive period. Cheese has been donated every year since by cheese companies all over the UK.
#Folklore #FoodFolklore #Foodways #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore @folklore
📷 Royal Hospital Chelsea