How to make a grandfather, what he symbolizes and why he is so important for Ukrainians – Miscellaneous

The Christmas grandfather is an important tradition of the Ukrainian people, which has its own special symbolism. It was characteristic of lowland regions of Ukraine, especially where wheat grew. How to make a grandfather and what it means – read in the TSN.ua material.

Grandfather is a real element of the rituals of our ancestors. In ancient times, it was woven mainly from ears of wheat. Today, this tradition is especially important, because it was passed down by masters from generation to generation. Interestingly, the grandfather is not a Christian symbol at all. It existed among Ukrainians even in pre-Christian times. Grandpa was then called “the spirit of the ancestors”. With the advent of Christianity, it was mandatory to put him to penance on Christmas Eve, when the whole family gathered around the festive table. Our ancestors believed that the souls of the deceased, who come to celebrate Christmas with living members, inhabit the grandfather…