The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH CUSTOM FOR EPIPHANY

FOR EPIPHANY ONE WOULD GO TO CHURCH AND GET CHALK
AND INCENSE. WITH THE CHALK ONE WOULD WRITE ABOVE THE
DOORWAY TO ONE'S HOME THE NUMBER OF THE NEW YEAR AND THE
INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS. IT WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:
19 + K + M + B + 84
THIS STOOD FOR PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS IN THE NEW YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

Date learned: 12-00-1983