Catherine’s Day is celebrated in a similar way to . The customs have a lot in common, they are related to predictions about the future regarding marriage. Both of these holidays were eagerly and boisterously celebrated, especially in the villages, when all work in the fields stopped. They were most popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
When is Catherine 2024? Check the time for a night full of fortune telling
Catherine is celebrated on the night of November 24-25. In 2024, it will be the night from Monday to Sunday. On the eve of St. Catherine of Alexandria, bachelors’ fortune telling about marriage and searching for a partner takes place.
Who was Saint Catherine and why is Catherine celebrated?
It is not entirely known why Catherine of Alexandria is the patron saint of this holiday. She was most likely a Christian from a wealthy family in Alexandria. She was beautiful and smart and took vows of chastity. She died a martyr’s death at the age of 18. In Christian churches, the Catherine rite takes place on the Sunday preceding November 29, and St. Catherine is the patron saint of bachelors who want to meet a woman and create a happy marriage. However, the men’s holiday has been forgotten and combined with St. Andrew’s Day, when favorable prophecies are supposed to come true for women looking for a partner. What customs and prophecies accompanied the Catherines?
How is Catherine celebrated? A night of fortune telling and fun
On the eve of St. Dreams played an important role for Catherine. If a boy put a bird feather under his pillow, a bird appeared in his dream, talking about his future wife. If it was a white hen, he would marry a young girl. If black, with a widow. The hen with chicks symbolized a widow with children. If a bachelor dreamed of an owl, he could expect a wife who was wise but not very beautiful. In turn, the dove meant a beautiful, although not very intelligent, chosen one. Boys who were most determined to meet their future wife put a piece of women’s clothing (preferably underwear) under their pillow, then their future wife would appear in their dreams. There were also cards with names under the young men’s pillows, which were drawn immediately after waking up. This is where the saying “On St. Patrick’s Night” comes from. “There are girls under Katarzyna’s pillow.” Another Catherine fortune-telling was the one using a cherry twig. If it was cut off on November 25 and placed in water and bloomed by Christmas, it meant that the bachelor would be able to marry the best woman for him. After an evening full of games and fortune-telling, the boys met for breakfast together. Everyone had a cracker with them, which they ate at the end of breakfast. The one who finished first was also supposed to end his life as a bachelor. While St. Andrew’s Day parties are now a more popular occasion to organize events, in the past, November 25 was the date to begin preparations for Advent. Hence the saying – “Saint Catherine begins Advent. She carouses and drinks and forbids us.
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