St. Barbara's Day in Germany

Many Christians celebrate St. Barbara's Day on December 4. This day commemorates the Christian martyr who is said to have lived in Nicomedia in the 3rd century: Saint Barbara. Although her existence is not historically proven, her moving story is still known to many believers today. The Bavarians, Westphalians and Swabians in particular still practise the numerous traditions surrounding the day of remembrance.

According to tradition, Barbara lived as the daughter of a rich merchant in the 3rd century in Nicomedia in what is now Turkey. Instead of getting married, the young woman wanted to dedicate her life to Christ. Her pagan father did not agree with her commitment to Christianity. Despite his sometimes cruel measures - he locked her in a tower for years, for example - Barbara maintained her Christian faith. Her father took her to court and finally beheaded her himself. Her father was later said to have been struck by lightning.

St. Barbara's Day on 4 December has been associated with special customs for several centuries. The best-known custom is to bring freshly cut branches of willow, cherry or forsythia into the house and place them in a container of water. The reason: they are said to bring good luck if they blossom by Christmas Eve.