ÅwiÄconka - Polish Easter basket
āā¦The blessing of the Easter food, or the āÅwiÄconkaā is a tradition dear to the heart of every Pole. (ā¦)Ā Traditions vary from village to village and family to family. They have changed and evolved with each passing generation. Traditionally the food is brought to the church in a basket, often decorated with a colourful ribbon and sometimes sprigs of greenery are attached, with a linen cover drawn over the top and blessed by the parish priest on Holy Saturday. (ā¦) After the blessing, the food is usually set aside until Easter morning (ā¦). Having exchanged wishes, all continue to enjoy a hearty meal.
The foods traditionally blessed for Easter can be reduced to three categories:
[1] Easter bread and cakes of all kinds - particularly babka
[2] Meat products, like ham, stuffed veal, suckling pig or lamb, sausage, bacon, etc.;
[3] Dairy products, like butter, cheese (āhrudkaā cheese cake), eggs - some shelled, some decorated (āpisankiā); etc.
The blessing of Easter food is one of our most beautiful and most meaningful customs with which our devoted ancestors have enriched us. This centuries old custom is indeed richly symbolic and has a deep liturgical and spiritual meaning. It is one in which the whole family can participate and help prepare. Let us preserve these customs so that they may endure for many generations to come. (ā¦)
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONTENTS
Each of the foods which traditionally makes up the Easter basket has a deep and symbolic meaning:
- MasÅo (butter)Ā - This favourite dairy product is often shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. (ā¦)
- Babka (Easter bread) - A round loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is our true Bread of Life.
- Chrzan (horseradish often with grated red beets) - Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds but sweetened with some sugar because of the Resurrection.
- Jajka (eggs) - Eggs were always considered as a symbol of the resurrection, the emergence of a new life. (ā¦) Because of this special meaning, it is fitting that Easter eggs be coloured or decorated (often with the symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity). They are the favoured object of our national art and are known to us as āpisanki.ā
- KieÅbasa (sausage) - A spicy sausage of pork products, indicative of Godās favour and generosity.
- Szynka (ham) - Symbolic of great joy and abundance. Some prefer lamb or veal. The lamb also reminds Catholics that the Risen Christ is the āLamb of God.ā
- SÅonina (smoked bacon) - A symbol of the overabundance of Godās mercy and generosity.
- SĆ³l (salt) - So necessary an element in our physical life, that Jesus used its symbolism: āYou are the salt of the earth.ā
- Ser (cheese) - Shaped into a ball, it is the symbol of the moderation Christians should have at all times.
In some regions a candle is also inserted into the basket to represent Christ, the Light of the World.ā
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Text: Polish Parish Luton
Photos: Tygodnik PodhalaÅski, se.pl, fotki24.blox.pl, mama-trojki.pl, leonw.pl, serwis.chrystusowcy.pl, prawno.decezja.lublin.pl, watra.pl, garneczki.pl, kufer.co.uk, tourwarsaw.wordpress.pl,Ā magicznyzakatek.blogpost.com, niam.pl, grzybno.info.pl, hej.mielec.pl, naludowo.pl, zosinkowy.com.pl
Source:Ā https://www.facebook.com/lovepoland.org/
