Sveti Tryphon Zarezan, also known as St. Trifon Zarezan or St. Trifon’s Day, is held in celebration of Saint Trifon, the patron saint of wine. In honor of St. Trifon, Bulgarians celebrate this folk holiday by holding the Trifon Zarezan Festival, which we’ll learn more about below.
By delving into this fun, festive, and merry holiday, you’re also peeling away at the layers of Bulgarian culture. And learning about any country’s culture is vital in language-learning!
Here at BulgarianPod101.com, we hope that you enjoy getting to know Bulgaria and gain valuable insight! So let’s get started.
1. What is Bulgarian Sveti Tryphon Zarezan?
Trifon Zarezan is also called Vine-Growers’ Day. It’s an unofficial or folk holiday celebrated in honor of Saint Trifon. Other popular names for the feast are Zarezanov Den and Trifon Drunkard.
Saint Trifon himself was a healer and became a saint martyr. He came from a region in Asia Minor, considered to be the land where vines and “wine,” or vinoto, originated. Saint Trifon is considered a patron of vines (or the patron saint of wine) and Trifon’s Day is honored as Vine-Growers’ Day.
2. When is St. Trifon Zarezan?
Some people celebrate this day on February 1, though wineries tend to celebrate on the traditional date of February 14 (yes, the same day that Valentine’s Day is celebrated!).
3. Reading Practice: How is it Celebrated?
How do Bulgarians celebrate the Trifon Zarezan Festival? Read the Bulgarian text below to find out! (You can find the English translation below it.)
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Трифоновден се празнува по стар стил на 14-ти февруари, заедно с модерния празник на Свети Валентин. Но традицията повелява на този ден хората с имена, произхождащи от името Трифон да празнуват имен ден. Например това са Тричка, Тичо, Радка, Рачо и други. Трифон Зарезан обаче е основно празник на лозарите, градинарите и кръчмарите.
На този ден обикновено се приготвя варена кокшка и се омесва хляб – обикновено под формата на пита. Лозарите взимат от месото и питата и заедно с бъклица вино отиват на лозето. Там извършват ритуала по зарязването на лозите. След като отрязват по три пръчки, те се прекръстват и поливат лозите с виното.
На ритуала се избира цар на лозята и се закичва с венец от лозови пръчки. Всички се отпрявят заедно към града. Там биват посрещнати с вино, от което отпиват, а остатъкът се плисва върху царя за берекет.
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Trifon’s Day is celebrated according to the old style on February 14, together with the modern Saint Valentine’s Day. But tradition demands that on this day the people with names deriving from the name Trifon celebrate a name-day. These names include Trichka, Ticho, Radka, Racho, and others. However, Trifon Zarezan is mainly a feast of vine growers, gardeners, and tavern-keepers.
“Usually,” or obiknoveno, for St. Tryphon’s Day, Bulgarians boil a chicken and ensure that bread is kneaded—generally a flat loaf. The vine growers take some of the meat and bread, as well as a vessel of wine, and go to the vines, where they “perform,” or izvarshvat, the vine-pruning ritual. After cutting three sticks they “cross themselves,” or se prekrastvat, and “water,” or polivat, the vines with the wine.
The “King of the Vines” is elected during the ritual, and is then decorated with a wreath made of vine sticks. All of the people “head,”or otpravyat se, to town, where they are welcomed with wine. They drink the wine and what’s left is “splashed” or se plisva, onto the king for a rich crop.
1- Side Note on Celebrations
As Bulgarians Празнувам (praznuvam) or “celebrate” St. Tryphon, you can expect for things to get Шумен (shumen) or “noisy.” As you can imagine, on this day of festivity, drinking, and Веселба (veselba) or “merriment,” experiencing a Махмурлук (mahmurluk) or “hangover,” afterward is quite a possibility if you Прекалявам (prekalyavam) or “overdo” it. So have fun, but don’t get too crazy. 😉
4. Additional Information: Patron Saint of Wine (or Vines)
But why exactly is St. Trifon considered the patron saint of vines? What earned him this title, and what other title is he known by?
The legend states that when he used to prune his vineyard, he accidentally cut off the top of his nose. On the icons he is depicted sometimes with a vine-pruning knife or a sickle, and sometimes with a falcon sitting on his hand. According to this tradition, he is also considered patron of the falconers.
5. Must-Know Vocab
Here are some words you should know for St. Trifon’s Day. Be sure to study these to increase your Bulgarian vocabulary and better understand this fun Bulgarian folk holiday!
To hear the pronunciation of each St. Trifan’s Day word, be sure to check out our relevant vocabulary list, where you’ll find an audio alongside each word.
Conclusion
Now you know about the Bulgarian holiday of St. Trifon’s Day. What do you think about this holiday? Is there a similar one in your home country? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about the Bulgarian culture and language, visit our website at BulgarianPod101.com! We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and even an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow students. Download our MyTeacher app to take advantage of a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal Bulgarian teacher!
Until next time, keep practicing your vocabulary and stay tuned for more Bulgarian holiday posts. We wish you well as you continue in your Bulgarian studies!
Learn all the Bulgarian New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join BulgarianPod101 for a special Bulgarian New Year celebration!
Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.
So, how do you say Happy New Year in Bulgarian? Let a native teach you! At BulgarianPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Bulgarian New Year wishes!
In Bulgaria, like most places around the world, “New Year’s Day” or Nova godina, represents a new start and a cause for grand celebration. Whether at their homes or at a raucous party, Bulgarians ring in the New Year by eating well, drinking abundantly, and watching the spectacular fireworks.
Now before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question?
Why do Bulgarians tap each other’s back with “decorated cornel branches,” or survachka, during the New Year’s ritual known as survakane?
If you don’t already know, keep reading! The answer will be revealed at the end!
The New Year’s celebration begins on the eve of the last day of the year, December 31. Parties and gatherings take place in the “central city square” or ploshtad in cities across Bulgaria. Heading to bigger cities, like Plovdiv, Varna, or the capital Sofia, is a popular way to celebrate. However, Bulgarians most often welcome the New Year at “home,” or vkashti. For many Bulgarians, New Year’s represents a time for family and tradition. Food is an important part of this tradition.
The most typical food for the holiday is the “New Year pastry with lucky charms” – banitsa s kasmeti. According to the tradition, small objects symbolizing health and longevity are placed inside the banitsa. For example, the cornel twig with buds on it symbolizes health and longevity.
Instead of charms, however, it’s becoming more and more popular to make banitsa with wishes written on little pieces of paper, pinned on the pastry. The hosts get to choose what wishes are written down, so, usually, they end up being playful jokes, rather than heart-felt desires. People drink plenty of fruit brandy known as rakia and toast to the health of their friends and family, and wish for a prosperous New Year.
As they celebrate, families gather together to listen to the New Year’s speech given by the President known as the novogodishnata rech na Prezidenta. Then, just before midnight, they “count down,” or otbroyavat, the last seconds of the old year.
Happy New Year!
Щастлива Нова Година! Shtastliva Nova Godina!
2. Must-Know Bulgarian Words & Phrases for the New Year!
1- Year
година godina
This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Bulgaria could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?
2- Midnight
полунощ polunosht
The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!
3- New Year’s Day
Нова Година Nova Godina
In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.
4- Party
парти parti
A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.
5- Dancing
танцуване tantsuvane
Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.
6- Champagne
шампанско shampansko
Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.
7- Fireworks
фойерверк foyerverk
These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.
8- Countdown
отброяване otbroyavane
This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!
9- New Year’s Holiday
Новогодишни празници Novogodishni praznitsi
In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.
10- Confetti
конфети konfeti
In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.
11- New Year’s Eve
Новогодишна нощ Novogodishna nosht
This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?
12- Toast
тост tost
A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!
13- Resolution
решение reshenie
Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!
14- Parade
парадно шествие paradno shestvie
New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At BulgarianPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Bulgarian New Year celebrations are like!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions
So, you learned the Bulgarian word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at BulgarianPod101 – what are yours?
Learn these phrases and impress your Bulgarian friends with your vocabulary.
1- Read more
Четете повече Chetete poveche
Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Bulgarian in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Bulgarian language skills!
2- Spend more time with family
Прекарвайте повече време със семейството си. Prekarvaite poveche vreme sas semeistvoto si.
Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.
3- Lose weight
Намалете теглото си. Namalete tegloto si.
Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!
4- Save money
Спестявайте пари. Spestyavayte pari.
Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to BulgarianPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!
5- Quit smoking
Откажете се от тютюнопушенето. Otkajete se ot tyutyunopusheneto.
This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.
6- Learn something new
Учете нови неща. Uchete novi nesta.
Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!
7- Drink less
Пийте по-малко. Piite po-malko.
This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!
This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.
9- Eat healthy
Хранете се здравословно. Hranete se zdravoslovno.
If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!
10- Study Bulgarian with BulgarianPod101
Учете български език с BulgarianPod101.com. Uchete balgarski ezik s BulgarianPod101.com.
Of course! You can only benefit from learning Bulgarian, especially with us! Learning how to speak Bulgarian can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. BulgarianPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.
Make decorative notes of these in Bulgarian, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Bulgarian incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
Still undecided whether you should enroll with BulgarianPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.
As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Bulgarian could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Bulgarian – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Bulgarian – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.
7. Why Enrolling with BulgarianPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!
If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Bulgarian! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that BulgarianPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!
Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Bulgarian at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Bulgarian that makes sense!
Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!
Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian? BulgarianPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Bulgarian Christmas phrases!
Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Bulgarian speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, BulgarianPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian!
“Christmas Eve” or Badni vecher in Bulgarian and “Christmas” or Koleda are holidays popular throughout the world. In Bulgaria, they are “family holidays,” or semeyni praznitsi, and are among the most important Christian holidays of the year. For this reason, Bulgarians celebrate the holiday for three consecutive days—from December 25 to December 27. On these days, everyone spends time with their nearest and dearest, and there are many special dishes and rituals for these holidays.
Now, before we get into more detail, I’ve got a trivia question for you-
What does the word Badni literally mean and why is Badni vecher a strange name for “Christmas Eve”?
If you don’t already know, keep reading! The answer will be revealed at the end!
The holiday called Badni vecher is an Orthodox Christian holiday with many traditional practices. On this day, an abundant feast is prepared but all meals must be meatless. The main dishes usually includes beans or bob, vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, or in Bulgarian sarmi, boiled wheat or zhito, pumpkin pastry, or tikvenik, and dried fruit compote, or in Bulgarian oshav. There will also be fruits, garlic, walnuts, and honey. There must be an odd number of dishes. The most important element is the ceremonial bread. Each member of the family receives a piece of it. In this bread there are lucky charms, and the main one is a coin which brings health and good luck to the person who gets it.
On Christmas Eve, there are lots of folk enchantments and predictions. For example, everyone picks a walnut from those on the table, breaks it open, and, if the walnut is light-colored, it means good luck. At midnight, Christmas comes and, according to the tradition, the koledari will stop by. This is a group of young men led by an older man who go from house to house, dressed in traditional Bulgarian folk costumes. They sing ritual songs and wish happiness to the family, blessing the home at the end.
There is a belief that wishes come true on Christmas.
According to Christianity, Christmas is the day of Christ’s birth—the day when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was born. That is why this day is also the Name Day or Imen den of everyone named “God’s Gift” or in Bulgarian Bozhidar, “Joyful,” or Hristo, “Glorious,” or in Bulgarian Radoslav, “God is with us” or Emanuil, and other derivative names.
On December 27, St. Stefan’s Day is celebrated, and the people with this name celebrate their Name Day. On these holidays, people go to the church in order to attend the solemn liturgical services.
At home, Bulgarians celebrate a lot like people in other countries around the world—with a Christmas tree, decorations, and, of course, with “Santa Claus” or in Bulgarian Dyado Koleda. During socialist rule, the “Santa Claus” was called “Grandfather Frost” or in Bulgarian Dyado Mraz and he brought presents on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas. However, it has always been a tradition for Dyado Koleda to pay visits to schools and kindergartens.
Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-
Do you know where the name Badni vecher for “Christmas Eve” comes from and what the word badni means?
According to tradition, a special log called badnik is blessed and set alight in the fireplace. The name badni comes from that. The meaning of the word itself is related to another word—badnina which has the meaning of “faith in the future.”
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season
1- Merry Christmas!
Весела Коледа! Vesela Koleda!
Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!
2- Happy Kwanzaa!
Весела Куанза! Vesela Kuanza!
Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!
3- Have a happy New Year!
Щастлива Нова Година! Shtastliva Nova Godina!
In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.
4- Happy Hanukkah!
Честита Ханука! Chestita Hanuka!
Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.
5- Have a great winter vacation!
Да си изкарате страхотно зимната почивка! Da si izkarate strahotno zimnata pochivka!
This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.
6- See you next year!
Ще се видим догодина! Shte se vidim dogodina!
Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.
7- Warm wishes!
С най-топли пожелания! S nay-topli pozhelaniya!
An informal, friendly phrase to write in Bulgarian Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.
8- Happy holidays!
Весели празници! Veseli praznitsi!
If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Bulgarian, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.
9- Enjoy the holidays!
Насладете се на празниците! Nasladete se na praznitsite!
After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.
10- Best wishes for the New Year!
С най-сърдечни пожелания за Новата година! S nay-sardechni pozhelaniya za Novata godina!
This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Bulgarian! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At BulgarianPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!
1- Christmas
Рождество Христово Rozhdestvo Hristovo
This is the Bulgarian word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Bulgarian will include this word!
2- Snow
сняг snyag
In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.
3- Snowflake
снежинка snezhinka
Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.
4- Snowman
снежен човек snezhen chovek
As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.
5- Turkey
пуйка puyka
Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?
6- Wreath
венец venets
Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.
7- Reindeer
северен елен severen elen
Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?
8- Santa Claus
Дядо Коледа Dyado Koleda
Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!
9- Elf
елф elf
An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!
10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Рудолф – еленът с червения нос Rudolf – elenat s cherveniya nos
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!
11- North Pole
Северен полюс Severen polyus
The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!
12- Sled
шейна sheyna
A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.
13- Present
подарък podarak
Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.
14- Bell
звънец zvanets
On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.
15- Chimney
комин komin
The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!
16- Fireplace
камина kamina
In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!
17- Christmas Day
Рождество Христово Rozhdestvo Hristovo
This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.
18- Decoration
украса ukrasa
Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.
19- Stocking
чорап chorap
According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.
20- Holly
бодлива зеленика bodliva zelenika
Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.
21- Gingerbread house
натруфена къща natrufena kashta
According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.
22- Candy cane
захарно чадърче zaharno chadarche
According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!
23- Mistletoe
имел imel
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Bulgarian, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture
This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Bulgarian! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.
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