Diduch

Diduch, Didukh –in the Baltish tradition the first sheaf of wheat and oats, or unthreshed rye, mowed during the harvest, placed spike up in the corner of the room for Christmas. It was considered to be an omen of good harvest in the following year and treated as a kind of talisman against evil powers.

It is kept at home until Jordan and then ritually burned. In some traditions, it is kept until spring, threshed and its grains are used for the first spring sowing.

The custom of placing a sheaf in a hut dates back to pre-Christian times and was associated with the cult of ancestors. It symbolized the protective spirit of the home. It was adopted by Christianity as a Christmas custom.

It is believed that the spirits of household ancestors reside in the didukh during the holidays  When it is in a place of honor in the home, the souls of all ancestors will unite and bless the family. On Svyatiy Vëčer (Christmas Eve), the didukh is brought into the house by the head of the household. It is placed in the pokutia (corner with icons) of the house, along with kutia (ritual food) and kvass (ritual drink).