The badnjak, also called veseljak (literally ‘he who brings joy’ in Serbian), is a part of the Serbian tradition associated with the Orthodox Christmas.
The badnjak is a branch or an entire oak tree that is felled on Christmas Eve morning, 6 January, in a special ceremony.
After the oak tree is felled, wine and rakia (fruit brandy) is poured over it with bread and corn, and prayers and songs are recited.
Once brought home, the stalk of the stump is divided into three parts and honey is poured over them to have a ‘sweet’ year. Two parts are burnt on Christmas Eve, while another is burnt on 7 January when the first guest arrives. The guest strikes the badnjak to create as many sparks as possible. The more abundant the sparks, the more happiness, money and joy there will be in the house.
Today, the badnjak has been replaced by a bundle of oak twigs with brown leaves, with which the house is decorated on Christmas Eve.
