Ukrainian Christmas Traditions Quiz

The legend of the Christmas spider explains that a poor widow and her children woke up on Christmas morning to find their tree blanketed in cobwebs, which sunlight then transformed into gold and silver. This legend is the origin of the tradition of decorating trees with spider ornaments called 'pavuchky' and fake spider webs in Ukraine.

'Pavuchky' are little spider ornaments used in Ukrainian Christmas decorations. They are hung on trees along with fake spider webs, symbolizing the legend of the Christmas spider and its transformation of cobwebs into gold and silver.

The legend of the Christmas spider is the origin of the sparkly tinsel that shimmers at Christmastime all around the world. In Ukraine, it has led to the tradition of decorating trees with spider ornaments and fake spider webs, replacing traditional fairy lights.