Badnjak (Croatian) facts for kids
Badnjak is a special log that is brought into homes and placed on the fire on the evening of Christmas Eve. It's a very important tradition in Croatia during Christmas, much like a yule log in other parts of Europe. In Croatian, the name for Christmas Eve itself comes from the word badnjak. The log is cut with special care on Christmas Eve morning, which for most Croats is December 24. Bringing in and lighting the log involves many old religious customs, which can be a bit different depending on the region. The log is usually kept burning all through Christmas Day.
Because more people are moving to cities, the badnjak tradition is now mostly found in rural areas. Many city homes don't have fireplaces, and it's hard to cut your own log in a city. So, some people in cities might use a smaller, symbolic log instead.
What the Name Means
The word badnjak comes from old Slavic words like bodar or badar. These words mean "to be awake" or "to stay up." This refers to staying awake all night to watch the badnjak log and wait for Jesus Christ to arrive on Christmas Day. The term badnjak also gives us the names for Christmas Eve: Badnji Dan means Christmas Eve Day, and Badnja Večer means Christmas Eve night.
Why We Do It
There are many ideas about what the badnjak means. Experts believe it's a very old tradition from ancient times that has changed to fit with Christianity. Today, lighting the log reminds people of the fire that, according to old stories, the shepherds of Bethlehem built in the cave where baby Jesus was born. They made the fire to keep baby Jesus and his mother Mary warm all night.
The badnjak can also be a symbol of the cross where Christ was crucified. The warmth of its fire shows the salvation that Christians believe Christ's crucifixion made possible for everyone. As the log burns to ashes, it can also represent Christ's resurrection and his victory over sin. Some scholars think the tradition comes from the old Slavic religion. In this view, the badnjak was seen as a spirit of nature that "died" by burning and was "reborn." People would offer prayers for good crops, family health, and happiness. The fire in the hearth showed how important family life was for many generations.
How It's Prepared
For Catholic Croats, Christmas Eve starts on December 24. Early in the morning, often before the sun rises, the father or another man in the family goes into the forest. He cuts a piece of log, usually from an oak tree. If there are no oak trees, he might use beech, olive, or maple wood. When he finds the right tree, he says the Lord's Prayer several times and makes the Sign of the Cross before cutting it.
When the father comes home with the badnjak, he says, "May Jesus and Mary be praised! I wish you a good Christmas Eve!" The family then replies, "Today and always." This greeting can be a little different in various regions. For example, in Slavonia, the father might add "and Adam and Eve" because December 24 is the feast day of Adam and Eve in the Croatian Catholic calendar. The log is placed on the porch and isn't brought inside until the evening.
When evening arrives, the badnjak log is placed in the fireplace. In Dalmatia, as the badnjak is brought into the home, it's sprinkled with wine and grain. In the southern parts, women might decorate the logs with leaves, flowers, and red and gold ribbons. In Dubrovnik, the father sprinkles corn and wine on the badnjak while saying prayers. In other areas, the badnjak is sprinkled with wheat and holy water. In Hercegovina, the badnjak is completely bathed in holy water. As the log is lit, the father says the Apostle's Creed. In southern Dalmatia, two logs are often placed to form the shape of a cross. After the log is lit, he says, "Jesus be praised. Welcome Christmas Eve." Sometimes, more holy water is sprinkled on the badnjak after it's lit. Depending on the region, people might sprinkle bits of wheat grain or even add some of the evening meal to the badnjak. In Istria, if wine or rakija is sprinkled on the badnjak, a family member might toast, "Drink to your health!" They believe that if they don't, bad luck will come. The log is usually allowed to burn all night into Christmas Day, and family members often take turns making sure it doesn't go out.
The Badnjak should burn for the whole evening. In some regions, it is lit again. In certain areas, it is re-lit on the Feast of The Three Kings (New Year). Sometimes, it stays by the fireplace until Lent, where it's used as a special log for other logs to be placed on. In villages, the ashes or burnt pieces of the badnjak are spread in the fields. This is done to help ensure a good harvest.
How It's Celebrated
Like other European countries, Croatia has special traditions that go along with cutting and lighting the badnjak. The day is spent getting ready for Christmas. Homes are decorated, and the big Christmas meal for the next day is prepared. All chores must be finished before the church bells ring and the badnjak is lit. The Christmas tree, which first came to Croatia in the mid-19th century, is still quite new and is usually decorated on Christmas Eve.
Other older Croatian decorations include children hanging green plants around the home. These can be holly branches, sage, ivy, and evergreen wreaths. These plants symbolize the strength of life in the middle of winter. Nativity scenes are usually found in every Christian home. They are generally placed under the tree or in another important spot.
Another old tradition is planting wheat seeds in a bowl of water, usually on St. Lucy's day (December 13). The wheat grows until Christmas and is then used to decorate the table. The wheat is trimmed and often wrapped with a red, white, and blue ribbon, like the Croatian flag. Most Croats put candles or other items like apples in the middle of the wheat. The candles symbolize the birth of Christ.
A bundle of straw is brought into the house by the head of the family, who offers a Christmas wish. The straw is then spread under the table and around the house. This symbolizes the birth of Christ in the manger. Families often sit on the straw after dinner when they gather around the badnjak.
Throughout the day, the woman of the house prepares the Christmas meal. This meal usually has many courses and desserts. Traditional foods include lamb, roasted pig, sarma with sauerkraut and sausage, stuffed peppers, pita, salad, and freshly baked bread. Some traditional Christmas desserts are fritule, kroštule, strudel, orahnjača, makovnjača, Bishop's bread, and gugelhupf.
Since Christmas Eve is a fasting day, the family only has a small meal for supper. For Badnjak supper, baklar (cod fish) from Dalmatia is often eaten with a salad or cabbage. A large amount of dried fruits, honey, and nuts (like walnuts and almonds) are always kept at home and eaten throughout the Christmas season.
See also
- Badnjak (Serbian)
- Yule log
- Roman Catholicism in Croatia
