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A ''didukh'' ( ), is a Ukrainian
Ukrainian Christmas
Retrieved 27 April 2013 While it is at a place of honor inside the house, the souls of all ancestors will unite and bless the family. On Sviat Vechir (Christmas Eve), the didukh is brought into the house by the hospodar (head of the household). It is placed in the pokutia (corner with icons) of the house, along with the kutia (ritual food) and uzvar (ritual drink). On Masnytsia, didukh is burnt symbolizing the end of the winter.
"Ukrainian Women Share Christmas Eve Feast"
€”Scanned copy of Our Fabulous Cooks column of ''The Hour'' newspaper on Google News, dated 17 December 1980. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
€”Retrieved 27 April 2013 {{Authority control Christmas decorations Christmas in Ukraine Ukrainian traditions Wheat Winter traditions
A ''didukh'' ( ), is a Ukrainian Christmas decoration
A Christmas decoration is any of several types of ornamentation used at Christmas and the greater Christmas and holiday season. Typical images on Christmas decorations include Baby Jesus, Mother Mary, angels, Father Christmas, Santa Cla ...
; made from a sheaf
Sheaf may refer to:
* Sheaf (agriculture), a bundle of harvested cereal stems
* Sheaf (mathematics)
In mathematics, a sheaf (: sheaves) is a tool for systematically tracking data (such as sets, abelian groups, rings) attached to the open s ...
of wheat
Wheat is a group of wild and crop domestication, domesticated Poaceae, grasses of the genus ''Triticum'' (). They are Agriculture, cultivated for their cereal grains, which are staple foods around the world. Well-known Taxonomy of wheat, whe ...
, it is a symbolic sacrifice
Sacrifice is an act or offering made to a deity. A sacrifice can serve as propitiation, or a sacrifice can be an offering of praise and thanksgiving.
Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrews and Gree ...
taken from the autumn harvest
Harvesting is the process of collecting plants, animals, or fish (as well as fungi) as food, especially the process of gathering mature crops, and "the harvest" also refers to the collected crops. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulses fo ...
. "''Didukh''" literally means " grandfather spirit". ''Didukhy'' are traditionally made from the first or the last stalks of wheat reaped during the year. They symbolize the household's wish for an abundance of nature and a bountiful harvest for the upcoming year. Before the holidays, wheat ears or stalks are gathered with colorful threads, then the bunches are tied with ribbons. A didukh is placed in most Ukrainian homes before Christmas, and kept until Masnytsia.
Spiritual meaning
It is believed that the spirits of the household's ancestors reside in didukh during the holidays.Retrieved 27 April 2013 While it is at a place of honor inside the house, the souls of all ancestors will unite and bless the family. On Sviat Vechir (Christmas Eve), the didukh is brought into the house by the hospodar (head of the household). It is placed in the pokutia (corner with icons) of the house, along with the kutia (ritual food) and uzvar (ritual drink). On Masnytsia, didukh is burnt symbolizing the end of the winter.
See also
*Christmas decoration
A Christmas decoration is any of several types of ornamentation used at Christmas and the greater Christmas and holiday season. Typical images on Christmas decorations include Baby Jesus, Mother Mary, angels, Father Christmas, Santa Cla ...
References
External links
"Ukrainian Women Share Christmas Eve Feast"
€”Scanned copy of Our Fabulous Cooks column of ''The Hour'' newspaper on Google News, dated 17 December 1980. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
€”Retrieved 27 April 2013 {{Authority control Christmas decorations Christmas in Ukraine Ukrainian traditions Wheat Winter traditions