In Poland Christmas begins on the day before Christ’s birth, i.e. Christmas Eve. On this day the Polish tradition is to fast (only meatless dishes, in some areas of the country complete fasting). The highlight of the day is the celebratory dinner, commenced after the first star appears in the sky. This is to remember the star which guided the Three Kings to the stable. Polish culinary literature states that the number of guests at the Christmas Eve dinner should be even (with one extra place setting for an unexpected guest/departed loved one/the Christ Child). However there is no agreement as to the number of dishes to be served; according to some sources this should be 12, whilst others stress that the number should be odd, generally 13 for noblemen, 11 for the gentry and 9 for the bourgeoisie. 13 dishes is the uppermost number but according to Prince J. O. Radziwiłł, you may try all kinds of fish, which are counted as one dish.