Luca Dumplings
Long ago, making the "Luca chair" was said to reveal witches, but young women were likely more curious about their love lives and when they’d get married.
To predict their future husband’s name, they’d write various male names on slips of paper, wrap each in a dumpling, and cook them. The dumpling that floated to the surface first revealed the name inside—the future groom. There was also an empty slip in one dumpling, giving hope to those not in a rush to marry.
Christmas Eve Superstitions
Lighting a candle in the window on Christmas Eve and letting it burn out is said to bring good luck your way. It’s also a tradition to wear your finest outfit on Christmas Eve—but avoid anything new, as that’s believed to invite bad luck.
During Christmas, it’s best not to borrow or lend anything. If you’ve lent something earlier, make sure to get it back by the holidays—otherwise, luck might just slip away, according to tradition.
Christmas Eve is seen as a magical time: animals are said to speak human language, and people can glimpse the future. Young women hoped to learn about their future marriage, elders about the weather, and farmers about the next year’s harvest.
Protecting Against Spirits
We usually get the Christmas tree well in advance, and some even bring it inside or decorate it days before Christmas Eve. But tradition says the tree should only be brought in and set up on Christmas Day—doing it earlier might attract harmful spirits with your greed.
Hanging mistletoe above the door helps ward off these spirits—they turn away when they see it. On December 24, women in old times would thoroughly clean the house, believing the devil would settle wherever dirt remained.
Superstitions for Wealth
Folk wisdom says eating beans, peas, pumpkin, or poppy seeds at Christmas brings money in the new year. Eating fish promises career progress—just as fast as a fish swims, you’ll climb higher. For extra luck, carry a cleaned fish scale in your wallet to attract wealth. On New Year’s Eve, enjoy lentils for financial growth—paired with roast pork, it’s even more powerful!
