Żagiew

A żagiew (plural: żagwie) is a Polish word that refers to a torch, typically one made of tightly bound straw, flax, or other flammable material and set aflame for illumination or signaling. The term can also, more broadly, refer to a firebrand or any similar handheld flaming device. Historically, żagwie were used for practical purposes like lighting paths at night, providing light for work, or setting controlled burns in agriculture. They also had a symbolic significance, sometimes associated with warning or rebellion, particularly in historical contexts related to peasant uprisings or wartime resistance. In modern usage, the word might also be used figuratively to describe something that ignites passion or inspires action, analogous to the English idiom "carrying the torch." The term carries a slightly archaic or poetic connotation in modern Polish.