St. Barbara's Day

St. Barbara's Day

December 4

Scholars doubt that St. Barbara existed as more than a legend that emerged during the second century. The story is that her father locked her away in a tower to prevent her from ever marrying. When she became a Christian he tried to kill her, then turned her in to the pagan authorities. Then he was killed by a bolt of lightning.
In parts of France, Germany, and Syria, St. Barbara's Day is considered the beginning of the Christmas season. In southern France, especially in Provence, it is customary to set out dishes holding grains of wheat soaked in water on sunny window sills. There is a folk belief that if the "St. Barbara's grain" grows quickly, it means a good year for crops. But if it withers and dies, the crops will be ruined. On Christmas Eve, the grain is placed near the creche as a symbol of the coming harvest. There is a similar custom in Germany and the Czech and Slovak republics, where cherry branches are placed in water and tended carefully in the hope that they will bloom on Christmas Eve. In Syria, St. Barbara's Day is for feasting and bringing food to the poor.
In Poland, St. Barbara's Day is associated with weather prophecies. If it rains, it will be cold and icy on Christmas Day; if it's cold and icy, Christmas will be rainy.

SOURCES:
BkFest-1937, p. 128
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 305
DictFolkMyth-1984, p. 950
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 657
FestWestEur-1958, p. 49
FolkAmerHol-1999, p. 484
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 685
OxYear-1999, p. 485
(c)

Celebration day: Dec 4