Christmas traditions, reflection of each culture
Although Christmas has a religious origin, which refers to the birth of the Child Jesus in Bethlehem, tradition has extended a multitude of cultures and has acquired various meanings. In any case, Christmas traditions celebrate life, family unity and peace. Of course, in parallel to the original tradition, the customs that each culture popularizes and that complement the celebrations of this era have been added. In fact, in some countries it is not even celebrated in December, or is far from the traditional celebration.
Christmas traditions, reflection of each culture. It is common for Christmas celebrations to be impregnated with an atmosphere of mutual congratulations and good wishes for the future. And we must not forget the colored lights, pyrotechnic games, abundant food and liturgical or cultural events. This, without neglecting the exchange of present with diversity of meanings. In this article we will show you some of the traditions that accompany Christmas in different countries of the world.
So, if you want to celebrate Christmas with an expanded look of the meaning of this holiday, you cannot lose what follows:
The Gävle goat
In the Scandinavia, a tradition made the Yule Festival, which celebrated solstice, fertility and family was pre-Christian. The symbol of this tradition was a goat, however Christianity absorbed this practice and the transformation in Christmas today. Starting from the original practice, in 1966 the decision was made to relive this symbol, for which a monumental goat made of pajama and red tapes that adorned it were built. The initiative was applauded by the community of Gävle, in Sweden. In fact, he won several Guinness prizes of the records. Unfortunately, the sculpture has been vandalized and burned 26 times since its creation. In spite of everything, for some it has become an additional attraction of the holidays and visiting it has become one of the Christmas traditions.
Night of the candles, Colombia Cindles
This traditional holiday at the beginning of the Christmas season and takes place on December 7 at 7 p.m. Its origins are associated with the religious celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. However, today it is part of the Christmas traditions that are celebrated as a family and with the neighbors. It consists of preparing artisanal lanterns and locating them at the entrance or household windows. The practice is complemented with candles arranged in rows and located on sidewalks and gardens. At present, pyrotechnic games, cultural activities and lighting of emblematic monuments in each region are carried out simultaneously.
Spider web, Ukraine Sofia Plaza in kyiv
This is one of those Christmas traditions that has its origin in a very old popular legend. This reports that a widow along with her children lived in extreme poverty. Therefore, the tree she had could only be decorated with spider fabrics. One night the spiders sympathized with the family and decided to decorate said tree with gold and silver threads. In Ukraine Christmas is celebrated on January 6 and not on December 24, due to the differences established by Orthodox Christianity. During this holiday each person can ask for 12 wishes, one for each apostle. The exchange of gifts is made on New Year’s Day and Christmas trees are covered with spider fabrics and artificial spiders.
The inns in Mexico, traditional piñata of Mexico
This Christmas tradition is celebrated for nine days, from December 16 to 24. Basically, it consists of recreating the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph for the birth of the Child Jesus. During these days, in the inns there is a nutritional programming of cultural events that involve music, gastronomy, representations and fireworks. For children, very colorful paper figures are made that are filled with sweets and small gifts. These figures are known as piñatas and hang from a rope that someone moves to go up and down. At the same time, children try to break them with sticks. When getting their goal, the sweets and gifts that children rush to collect excited.
Farolillos Festival, Philippines
This festival is held in the city of San Fernando, the last Saturday that precedes Christmas Eve. In the beginning, the once populated people who participate in the event manufactured modest lantern with the paper used for origami. These reach diameters up to 50 centimeters. Today, participants compete with giant lanterns up to six meters in diameter that work with colored LED lights. His designs, very intricate, resemble mandalas of great beauty. The festival constitutes a night attractiveness that is visited by tourists from all latitudes.
A poem, Latvia
The Christmas tradition in this country is celebrated with a special dinner during Christmas Eve, in the company of the whole family. Subsequently, family members prepare to take the gifts at the base of the tree. The interesting thing is that for each gift they receive they must declare a poem, this tests the imagination of the participants. Likewise, it ends up being a reason for laughter of the family and allows you to receive with joy the spirit of Christmas. One of the most creative Christmas traditions.
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