In Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with spider ornaments and artificial cobwebs to keep a legend alive. The legend tells of a poor family whose tree was decorated by a spider’s webs, which turned into gold and silver. Ukraine is home to the first gas lamp and the largest aircraft ever built.
Nothing says Christmas like a beautiful tree decorated with tinsel, lights and… cobwebs? Most Yuletide celebrants might disagree with the latter item, but don’t try to tell anyone from Ukraine that.
In traditional Ukrainian homes, Christmas trees are adorned with spider ornaments and artificial cobwebs to keep a legend alive.
According to the story, a poor family was thrilled when a pine cone that fell on the floor started to sprout, promising them a tree for Christmas. But unfortunately there was no money for ornaments, so the best they could hope for was a barren tree. Instead, a spider heard the family and spent the night weaving webs all over the pine tree. In the morning, the sun shone on the cobwebs and created a sparkling Christmas morning. Legend has it that the cobwebs turned into gold and silver, thus ensuring that the family would never go hungry again.
Unusual facts about Ukraine:
Lviv, Ukraine claims to be the home of the first gas lamp, invented by a local pharmacist.
The largest aircraft ever built came from the Ukraine; the Antonov An-225 Mriya has a wingspan of 290 feet (88.4 m) and a maximum take-off weight of 705 tonnes (640 tons).
Ukraine is the largest country that lies entirely in Europe. At 233,000 square miles (603,000 square km), it’s slightly smaller than Texas.
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