Editing Christmas tree (section)

====Poland====
{{Main article|Podłaźniczka}}
[[File:Podlaznik.jpg|thumb|An illustration of a ''[[Podłaźniczka]]'' from the region of [[Lesser Poland]].]]

In [[Poland]], there is a folk tradition dating back to an old [[Early Slavs|Slavic]] pre-Christian custom of suspending a branch of [[fir]], [[spruce]], or [[pine]] from the ceiling [[rafter]]s, called {{lang|pl|[[podłaźniczka]]}}, during the time of the [[Koliada]] winter festival.<ref>Janota E. Lud i jego zwyczaje. Lwów, 1878, str. 41–42</ref> The branches were decorated with apples, nuts, acorns, and stars made of straw. In more recent times, the decorations also included colored paper cutouts ({{lang|pl|[[wycinanki]]}}), [[wafer]]s, [[cookie]]s, and [[Christmas baubles]]. According to old pagan beliefs, the powers of the branch were linked to good harvest and prosperity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kmt.pl/pozycja.asp?ksid=5025|title=Zwyczaje, obrzędy i tradycje w Polsce. Mały słownik|website=Księgarnia Mateusza|language=pl|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215205828/http://kmt.pl/pozycja.asp%3Fksid%3D5025}}</ref>

The custom was practiced by the peasants until the early 20th century, particularly in the regions of [[Lesser Poland]] and [[Upper Silesia]].<ref>Rok karpacki: obrzędy doroczne w Karpatach polskich Urszula Janicka-Krzywda. 1988, s. 13 "W całych Karpatach znano drzewko wigilijne zwane podłaźnikiem. Był to wierzchołek jodły zawieszany u powały szczytem na. dół, ubierany jabłkami i tzw. światami"</ref> Most often the branches were hung above the {{lang|pl|[[wigilia]]}} dinner table on [[Christmas Eve]]. Beginning in the mid-19th century, the tradition over time was almost completely replaced by the later German practice of decorating a standing Christmas tree.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://niezalezna.pl/303442-slomiane-snopy-i-podlazniczki-to-nasze-poprzedniki-choinki-te-zas-ozdabiano-jablkami |title=Słomiane snopy i podłaźniczki – to nasze poprzedniki choinki. Te zaś ozdabiano jabłkami |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=24 December 2019 |website=Niezależna |access-date=25 December 2019 }}</ref>