St Barbara's Day customs from Germany

In Germany on St Barbara's Day, it is the custom to cut Barbara twigs from fruit or nut trees and to place them in a warm place. Weather prophecies are made depending on the date and extent of the blossoms that come.

Every member of the family puts his or her Barbara twig into water so that it will have blossoms on Christmas day. The child whose branch has the most blossoms on Christmas Day is supposed to be Mary's favourite. The vase or glass containing the St Barbara twigs may be placed on the family altar.

The hoped for date of blooming is Christmas, according to a tenth century legend that said that all the trees blossomed and bore fruit on the day Jesus was born ...

Tagged: saints, germany, folklore, calendar+customs