Mikuláš

Today is Mikuláš; St. Nicholas Day. And It is the Czech Name Day for those men named Mikuláš

...and this day comes with a cast of different characters: St. Nicholas (Mikuláš), the Angel (Anděl) who represents the Good, and the Devil (čert) representing Evil; all in costumes. Mikuláš looks a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was supposedly inspired by the St. Nicholas of European origins.

Each of these characters visits the homes of Children on the evening of the 5th, and children can be visited on the streets of Prague, as seen in the above Photo. If the child has been good, candy and sweets are given... however, if the opposite is true, the devil takes them away kicking and screaming. Often the Angel rescues them.

It is a day for the Children primarily, but it is always important to remember the child in each of us as well. One is never to old to enjoy Mikuláš and the evening before and perhaps the Christmas slippers... with surprises.