What is the Polish Christmas wafer?

Sharing of the oplatek (pronounced opwatek) is the most ancient and beloved of all Polish Christmas traditions. Oplatek is a thin wafer made of flour and water, similar in taste to the hosts that are used for communion during Mass. The Christmas wafer is shared before Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper.Click to see full answer. In this manner, what is the Polish tradition for Christmas?Traditionally, the Christmas trees are decorated with glass baubles, garlands and many homemade ornaments including painted eggshells, shiny red apples, walnuts, wrapped chocolate shapes, candles, etc. They are lit on Christmas Eve before Wigilia. At the top of each tree there is a star or a glittering tree topper.Similarly, why do Polish eat carp at Christmas? As Poland is more than 80 per cent Catholic, the Wigilia meal is meat-free with a main course of fish, most famously carp, which is meant to bring good fortune. The Polish karp zatorski even has EU protected designation of origin status. Similarly, it is asked, what does the wafer represent? The Christmas wafer is a symbol of forgiveness and reconciliation, friendship and love. The material it is made of – bread – emphasises the earthly nature of those wishes. In the past, people used to believe that those who shared the Christmas wafer would be sharing their bread during the coming year.Why does Poland celebrate Christmas on the 24th? Waiting for the first star to appear in the sky Many Poles wait until the first star appears in the sky before sitting down to eat on 24th December. This tradition commemorates the Star of Bethlehem, which according to the New Testament guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Christ.