Barbara branches conjure up a touch of spring in the middle of winter

Created: 12/03/2022, 12:00 p.m

By: Andreas Jäger

Barbara Fischer always cuts the cherry and forsythia branches on December 4th.

© Andreas Jäger

"Be the one within us that leads you and others into the light, even when everything around you is dark": This line comes from a prayer in honor of Saint Barbara, whose name day is celebrated on December 4th.

In order to illustrate the symbolism of this ray of hope in the dark season, Barbara Fischer from Hohenfurch has cultivated the custom of the Barbara branches since her childhood.

Hohenfurch

– Her grandmother once introduced the farmer to this tradition by giving her a vase with cut forsythia and cherry branches on Barbara Day, her name day.

"I was always very happy about that," remembers Fischer.

With the right care, the branches bloom at Christmas and bring a touch of spring in the cold and dark season.

The custom, which has lost some of its popularity, dates back to the late 3rd century.

At that time, Barbara of Nicomedia, daughter of a wealthy pagan merchant, lived in what is now Turkey.

When her father was away on a trip, Barbara secretly embraced the Christian faith.

However, the conversion did not remain a secret for long, and the father found out about it shortly after his return.

This made him so angry that he had his daughter captured and sentenced to death.

Saint Barbara blossoms into new life

On the way to prison, Barbara's dress got caught in a cherry branch, which she placed in a small jug of water in her cell.

On the day of her death, December 4th, the branch began to bloom, and tradition says it symbolizes Saint Barbara blossoming into new, eternal life.

"Traditionally, I always cut the branches on December 4th," says Fischer.

Depending on the meteorological conditions, it may be that the cherry and forsythia branches first have to be placed in the freezer after cutting to get the necessary cold stimulus.

However, this is only necessary if there was no frost before St. Barbara's Day.

Keep branches away from the stove or heater

This year, the branches have already received the cold shock naturally, which is why Fischer first places them in lukewarm water overnight and then places them in a vase half full of water.

“The water should be changed every three days,” explains Fischer.

It is important that the branches are kept away from heat sources such as heaters or stoves and that they get enough light.

Thanks to the pleasant room temperature, the buds sprout and after 16 to 20 days, i.e. shortly before or at Christmas, the farmer enjoys the white and yellow flowers every year.

Incidentally, the Barbara branches can easily remain in the house after Christmas.

At Fischer, they are simply converted into Easter arrangements in the spring.

Barbara Fischer is happy about her Barbara branches, which will bloom in two to three weeks.

© Andreas Jäger