Hungarian Conservative

Advent is one of the most important periods in the Christian world: it heralds the beginning of the Christmas season. According to the Gregorian calendar, it starts on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. But where does the tradition of the Advent wreath come from, and what is the symbolism that it conveys?

St Ivan’s Night has always been considered magical by the Nordic and Slavic peoples, but it has special folk traditions linked to it in Hungary as well. Various practices are employed during this time, which are related to healing, purification, love, and fertility.