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Bleigießen

Learn a funny, quirky German word each week with DW's Word of the Week feature. This week: Bleigießen.

https://p.dw.com/p/RlFh
Image: picture-alliance / dpa

"Bleigießen" (literally, pouring lead) is an old New Year's tradition in parts of Europe. Pieces of lead are placed in a spoon and melted over a candle. Just as the metal becomes liquid it is poured into a bowl of cold water. The shape that is formed when the lead is formed is used to tell your fortune for the coming year. Does it resemble a heart? Love is in store for you this year. Or a pig? Prosperity is coming your way. And if it just looks like a blob of lead, well, we can't help you there. If you try your hand -- and your fortune -- at "bleigießen" this New Year's Eve, we'd recommend using tin or wax instead, since they are not poisonous and melt at a lower temperature than lead. Good luck!