Chichilaki is one of the warmest and most distinctive symbols of the Georgian New Year — a small “tree” covered with white, fluffy curls. In this article you will learn what the Chichilaki stands for, where it was widespread, how it was carved in the past and how it differs from a traditional fir tree. The historical information relies on the Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia (Ir. Surguladze, vol. 11, 1987).
Contents
- What is Chichilaki
- The meaning of Chichilaki
- How a Chichilaki is made
- How it was decorated
- Kalpi and Gvergvi
- Chichilaki and the fir tree
- Frequently asked questions
What is Chichilaki
Chichilaki is a tree-shaped ritual object made specially for the New Year, for mekvleoba (the tradition of the first visitor who brings luck in the new year) and for congratulations. This tradition was established in western Georgia. There were several types of Chichilaki, but the encyclopedia considers the Gurian Chichilaki with a kalpi to be the most complete example.
The meaning of Chichilaki
According to the encyclopedia, the belief in the Chichilaki and other ritual trees comes from ideas connected with the tree of life and fertility. Similar beliefs are widespread among many peoples of Europe.
Decorating tree branches and presenting them as gifts was also known in other parts of Georgia. For example, in Khevi a bride and groom used to be given a tree laden with gifts and fruit — the “mashkhala”.
How a Chichilaki is made
The encyclopedia describes the making of a Chichilaki like this:
- First, a thick hazelnut stick was chosen;
- The stick was heated to make it more flexible, and then the bark was peeled off;
- With a sharp knife, thin curls were carved from the bottom of the stick towards the tip. Each curl was followed continuously to the tip, stopped about a finger’s width away and folded upwards;
- In this way the craftsman carved hundreds of long curls and folded them upwards. These coils were called the “tip of the Chichilaki” or the “tip of the Basila”;
- Finally, the folded curls were spread back over the stem — this created a tree-like fluffy object, to which a stand was attached at the base.
Working with a knife is, of course, a job for an adult. If you make a Chichilaki together with children, leave the decorating to them.
How it was decorated
- The top was cut crosswise, and pointed sticks were fixed in it in the shape of a cross;
- On the ends of these sticks they placed two pomegranates or apples and two round eggs — the so-called “kvinchilebi”;
- The Chichilaki was adorned with jewellery, coloured threads and tasselled sweets. A dressed blackbird, with its wing and tail feathers left on, was also hung on it;
- In Imereti the Chichilaki was also coloured with endro.
Kalpi and Gvergvi
One of the most distinctive details of the Chichilaki is the kalpi — a ring woven from evergreen ivy and red-berried butcher’s broom (kurkantela). It was placed at the top, exactly where the curls come together. On the kalpi they laid a flat bread with a hole cut in the middle, mixed with cheese and egg — the “bokeli” — and at the very top they crowned it with a cross with “kvinchilebi”. However, the kalpi was by no means obligatory for every Chichilaki.
In Racha, a similar ring called gvergvi was woven, which took part in the New Year ritual on its own.
Chichilaki and the fir tree
Today in many Georgian families you will find both a Chichilaki and a fir tree (page in Georgian). The main difference between them is the material and the origin: the Chichilaki is a Georgian ritual object carved by hand from a hazelnut stick, while the fir tree is a live or artificial coniferous tree. Both are part of the New Year mood, so many families put up both for the holiday.
Frequently asked questions
What does Chichilaki mean?
It is a tree-shaped ritual object whose symbolism is connected with the ideas of the tree of life and fertility.
What is a Chichilaki made of?
It is made from a thick hazelnut stick, from which hundreds of thin curls are carved and folded.
Where was it widespread?
In western Georgia; the Gurian Chichilaki with a kalpi is especially famous.
Related Georgian traditions
Another Georgian winter tradition is the Christmas carol procession: read about Alilo, Georgia’s Christmas carol.
