THE TIÓ

HISTORY The Tió de Nadal (roughly "Christmas log"), also known as "Tió" or "Tronca" ("log"), is a mythological character in Catalan mythology related to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia. The Tió de Nadal (roughly "Christmas log"), also known as "Tió" or "Tronca" ("log"), is a mythological character in Catalan mythology related to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia. Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), one gives the tió a little bit to "eat" every night and usually covers him with a little blanket so that he will not be cold at night. Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), one gives the tió a little bit to "eat" every night and usually covers him with a little blanket so that he will not be cold at night.

Lately it became a symbol that offered presents to all the family, specially the children. Some of the presents were: sweets, wafers, Spanish nougats… Lately it became a symbol that offered presents to all the family, specially the children. Some of the presents were: sweets, wafers, Spanish nougats… The “tió” was, in the beginning, the light and heat that burnt at home in the fireplace for Christmas.

SHAPE OF THE TIÓ The shape of the tió de Nadal, found in many Catalan homes during the holiday season, is a hollow log of about 0.3m length, typically standing up on two or four little sticks as legs with a broad smiling face painted at the top of the two edges, enhanced by a little red sock hat (a miniature of the traditional Catalan barretina) and often a three-dimensional nose. The shape of the tió de Nadal, found in many Catalan homes during the holiday season, is a hollow log of about 0.3m length, typically standing up on two or four little sticks as legs with a broad smiling face painted at the top of the two edges, enhanced by a little red sock hat (a miniature of the traditional Catalan barretina) and often a three-dimensional nose.

At the beginning, its shape was only a piece of wood. At the beginning, its shape was only a piece of wood. And with the passage of the years the children add him paws, eyes and nose. It seems a beast.

HOW TO USE We hit the “tió”, depending on the customs of the house, at Christmas night (traditionally after Midnight Mass). We hit the “tió”, depending on the customs of the house, at Christmas night (traditionally after Midnight Mass). Hitting the “tió” is a ceremony held at home or of small communities ( school, friends…) Hitting the “tió” is a ceremony held at home or of small communities ( school, friends…)

While we are hitting the “tió” we sing different songs (depending on the place or the family) like: While we are hitting the “tió” we sing different songs (depending on the place or the family) like: caga tió, caga turró, avellanes i mató, si no cagues bé et daré un cop de bastó. ¡caga tió!" caga tió, caga turró, avellanes i mató, si no cagues bé et daré un cop de bastó. ¡caga tió!" Shit, log, shit Spanish nougats, hazelnuts and cheese, if you don't shit well I'll give you a blow with a stick. Shit, log! Shit, log, shit Spanish nougats, hazelnuts and cheese, if you don't shit well I'll give you a blow with a stick. Shit, log!

The children love “tió” and for Christmas they draw very nice pictures and here we have got an example:

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