Carolling is not only about singing religious songs. It is primarily a folk rite, practiced primarily in the agricultural cultures of the Slavs and Romanians. The term "Christmas carols" was used to describe both sung songs, gifts received from hosts, and the custom itself walking after the carol.
Pagan roots
Habit carol singing it was first described in the XNUMXth century. In the first documents, their authors expressed rather disapproval of this rite. Mainly because they were written by Catholic preachers. Reluctance clergy was aroused by the fact that the rituals associated with caroling he was also derived from pagan beliefs.
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The magic of fertility and fertility
Originally both carol singers costumes, as well as the ritual words they uttered, were marked by magic the driving force. The entire rite was related to the magic of vegetation. It was also believed that spells would be more powerful if spoken by extraterrestrials. That is why carolers dressed up as characters closely related to sacred, thus wanting to become individuals from outside the Earth.
Carol singers as a gift and gifts for carol singers
It was believed then that the arrival itself a caroler (i.e. an extraterrestrial) was a gift. However, good luck visited host it was conditioned by reciprocity. Wishes were entrusted to carol singers, but in order for them to come true, the people visited had to give them something in return. They were usually gifts in form alcohol, money or food.
Christianization of the rite
Over time, however carol singing it was slowly becoming Christianized. Initially, it was associated with the New Year, which in the early Slavic period was considered as the beginning of spring. Currently, this custom has a predominantly Christian dimension. It is long-awaited in many regions, and e.g. in Lublin region the omission of some house is read as bad sign.
Contemporary customs
The costumes of the carollers and their attributes have also changed. In many places participants dress up as animals, especially such as: turoński, goat or goat, bear, horse, rooster, stork, ram, i.e. animals symbolizing strength, health and life energy i fertility. Less commonly, boys dressed up as Melchior, Kacper and Belshazzar during the Epiphany.
Leading a star
A typical Christian attribute is leading the star. It symbolizes the star of Bethlehemalthough this custom also comes from pagan practices. Originally, this star symbolized the new birth of the Sun, which was celebrated e.g. as Undefeated Sun in Ancient Rome. An interesting fact is that the decree of Emperor Constantine the Great, ordering all citizens to celebrate this holiday, was abolished in 354. Only then was it decided that on 25st of December Christians will celebrate Christmas.
