A brief introduction to Christmas customs around the world

A brief introduction to Christmas customs around the world

20 15 Christmas is coming. Do you know the custom of Christmas? Why don't you introduce it to everyone today? Introduction of Christmas customs around the world? Interested parties may wish to have a look.

Northern Europe

In Sweden, traditionally, companies invite employees to have Christmas lunch one week before Christmas. In order to prevent possible food poisoning during Christmas, Swedish newspapers have traditionally spared no effort to report some laboratory test results every year, warning the public not to keep cold meat and mayonnaise at room temperature to avoid spoilage. Everywhere in Sweden, Christmas is a time to enjoy food. The focus of Christmas dinner is still roast ham, but in different places, which day is different. However, there is a custom in Sweden to watch Disney's special program on time at 3 pm on Christmas Eve, that is, 65438+February 24th.

The Christmas dinner in Norway will be held on February 24th, 65438. Every region in Norway has its own special food as a Christmas dinner, and then "Jule nissen" (Jule means Christmas, Nissen is a legendary elf in Norway) will bring gifts to well-behaved children. After a quiet reunion with their families on February 25th, 65438, there will be another grand celebration after Boxing Day, when children will be entertained from door to door in their neighbors' houses. Joulupukki (or Christmas goat) is the Finnish version of Santa Claus. He sat on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and gave presents to well-behaved children.

Southern Europe

The Greek Christmas boat decorated the Christmas in Italy, combining the modern tradition with the custom of celebrating Natale left by Roman ancestors. The possibility of Christmas coming on the same day originated from the pagan celebrations in Shennongjia, ancient Rome, and their festivals began on this day until Epiphany. Food, religious ceremonies, Christmas decorations and gifts are all key items. In some areas, gifts are given by La Befana on Epiphany, while in other areas, gifts are given by Little Jesus on Christmas or Christmas Eve. In recent years, their status has been gradually changed by Babbo Natale? A figure like Santa Claus? Replace.

In Greece, although trees are imported, ships are a traditional symbol of Christmas.

China and the European Union

In the Czech Republic, people mainly celebrate February 24th or Christmas Eve (? tēdr？ Den means generous day.

Take stock of the world? The most creative? Santa Claus wishes Christmas. On this night, everyone will give gifts to each other. Although February 25th and 26th are ok, 12. According to tradition, gifts are made by Jeek (? Little Jesus? ) I still brought it. In order to make the festival more interesting, many ancient Christmas traditions have been preserved. People are told not to eat anything on Christmas Eve until the formal dinner is ready, so as to see the shiny roast pig. Gifts are placed under the Christmas tree (usually spruce or pine). People will open presents after dinner.

In addition, the traditional Christmas customs in the Czech Republic also include predictions for the coming year. They cut the apple, and if they can see the apple core at first, it indicates good luck in the coming year. If not, it indicates bad luck in the coming year. A girl throws her shoes on her shoulders. If the toe of the shoes points in the direction of the door, it indicates that the girl will get married in the coming year. Another tradition is to pour a little molten lead into water and guess the transportation mode in the coming year according to the shape of lead in water.

In Poland, Christmas Eve is the first day of a banquet. When the first star appeared on Christmas Eve, the party began, and then people began to give gifts to each other. The next day, people will visit relatives and friends.

In Slovakia, Christmas is a large-scale celebration of family, food and religion. In 200 1 year, a large-scale nativity scene was built and exhibited in Bratislava, and it is planned to be packaged and exhibited in other cities.

Eastern Europe

In eastern Europe, there is a tradition in Slavic villages called. Grandpa forest? (de Moroz). According to legend, he rode on a god.

Sydney? Santa Claus? Running happily in the exotic "Troika" (beautifully decorated sleigh pulled by three horses) (4 photos) and giving gifts to children. He is considered as Santa Claus, not a descendant of Saint Nicholas.

Since 199 1 the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Christmas wishes have been revived in Russia. Christmas Eve? Holy dinner? Contains 12 dishes, each of which is to commemorate the disciples of Jesus. Although some Russian traditions were transferred to the New Year, most of them remain today, such as visits and gifts? Grandpa forest? Where's his? Snow girl? A gift from. Many existing Russian Christmas customs, including Christmas trees or? Julka. , are1spread after Peter the Great's westward journey in the late 8th century.

In Poland, Christmas Eve is the first day of fasting, and then, after the first star appeared and exchanged gifts, people began to enjoy it. The next few days are usually spent visiting friends.

Western Europe

Houses decorated to celebrate Christmas (southwest England) In Britain, Christmas firecrackers are an indispensable form of celebrating Christmas, and pantomime is very popular among young families. Nine lessons carol festival is a very popular religious activity in Cambridge. Starting from 1947, Oslo, the capital of Norway, gives one away every year.

Tampere Christmas Market opened its doors in the snow to welcome guests (20 spruce trees) to the British people as a symbol of thanks for Britain's support for Norway in World War II. This tree stands in Trafalgar Square in London. It is the most famous Christmas tree in Britain and symbolizes the friendship between the British and the Norwegians.

On February 6th, 65438, Germany and the Netherlands celebrated Saint Nicholas Day in English-speaking countries. In Dutch, the day called Sinterklaasavond is much more important than Christmas, although in recent years, some Dutch people have also begun to celebrate Christmas Eve and Santa Claus.

The image of Santa Claus is a comprehensive evolution of the real Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus in Britain and America. Sinterklaas will bring gifts to children who ask for gifts on June 5438+February 5. He wore a red bishop coat and a bishop's crown, and rode a white steed from one roof to another. Sinterklaas had a group of assistants who liked pranks. They were called' Zwarte Pieten' (Black Peter). In parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Knecht Ruprecht, which scares children, also appears in legends.

North America and Central America

Except for Santa Pere Noel in Quebec, Canada, the customs of Santa Claus in the United States and Canada are basically the same. The Rockefeller Center in new york has a Christmas tree and a grand skating rink, and the Christmas decorations made by Washington for the White House are the most beautiful scenery in the United States. The North American Joint Air Defense Command tracks Santa Claus' trip around the world every year, which has attracted the attention and reports of many media.

Posada is the highlight of many secular Christmas celebrations in Mexico. In nine days, groups of citizens visited from house to house, symbolizing the visit of the newborn Jesus. People still play at home at certain times in pi? Ata played a Christmas gift game.

South America. See AMERICA

In South America, where Catholicism prevails, Christmas celebrations are full of religious themes. In these countries, secular customs and gift exchange are a mixture of European and American indigenous traditions and are increasingly influenced by American culture.

In Colombia, the tradition of giving gifts includes "El Nino? O Jesus became Viejo Pasquero in Chile and Papanoel in Brazil. The latter two have a lot to do with the average Santa Claus. Santa Claus in South America wears cooler clothes, which may be related to the warm Christmas in South America. Santa Claus can enter children's rooms in many ways at night, from ladders to trampolines. In Argentina, people are in the local time 1 month 6? Three holy days? (Three Kings Day) Give Christmas presents. At that time, the saints the children met during their pilgrimage to Bethlehem stuffed their children's shoes under the bed with snacks and small gifts.

Whether in people's homes or in public places, the image of Jesus plays an important role in Christmas celebrations in South America. In Peru, there are a large number of descendants of South American aborigines, and the image of Jesus will be carved by hand with ancient techniques. In Mexico, it is also common for rural residents to participate in story performances around the birth of Jesus Christ. It is very important for the whole family to enjoy Christmas dinner together. The content of the food is different. But Christmas candlelight is almost a scenery on a summer night, special? In Brazilian cities, fireworks displays can often be seen on this day.

Asia

In Taiwan Province Province, there is no holiday on Christmas Day in name, but from 1963 to 2000, 65438+February 25th every year was a national holiday to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of China on 1946, and it was implemented on the same day of the following year. Therefore, although Christmas is not a holiday in name, it happens to be a rest day. 1998 Taiwan Province province has a two-day holiday every other week, and some national holidays have been cancelled to reduce the impact of excessive holidays on the economy. At that time, the Executive Yuan maintained the holiday on the grounds that 12.25 could be in line with international standards. However, after 200 1 officially implemented the two-day weekly rest system, the national statutory holiday on the anniversary of the Constitution was cancelled, and there were no more holidays (but some workers who implemented the 84-hour work week system still had holidays), but the atmosphere for people to celebrate Christmas was getting stronger and stronger. Former? President? On June 25th, 2005, Chen Shui-bian awarded this honor to Cardinal Tao Ran, the former Vatican Foreign Minister, and expressed the hope that Taiwan Province Province? Synchronize with the world? Christmas is also a day off. At that time, some public opinion in Taiwan Province Province thought that Chen Shui-bian had deliberately used it? Christmas holiday? Consolidate the diplomatic relations of the Vatican.

Influenced by Hong Kong and Britain, the former suzerain country, 65438+ Christmas Day on February 25th and 65438+ Boxing Day on February 26th are public holidays (but in some cases, Christmas Day may not be a holiday, and Boxing Day may not be a holiday or a supplementary holiday. For details, please refer to the entry on festivals and public holidays in Hong Kong). Christmas Eve on February 24th, 65438+is not a public holiday, but some organizations still have a strong Christmas atmosphere. Many shopping malls have Christmas lights as early as mid-June165438+1October. On Christmas Eve, young people like to take couples to Tsim Sha Tsui to enjoy Christmas lights, hold Christmas parties, or go to Lan Kwai Fong and other places to have fun. Christians and Catholics will attend religious gatherings such as good news. Shops, restaurants and entertainment venues will remain open as usual. Many people will accompany their lovers to go out for recreation, and many people will travel abroad. For the younger generation, the focus of Christmas is entirely to celebrate with lovers, and it has become another Valentine's Day in disguise. Besides, Hong Kong people generally have misunderstandings about Boxing Day. Boxing day? I think all Christmas presents must be opened until this day. In fact, there is no such tradition in Europe and America. In Europe and America, all Christmas presents have been opened as early as Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

Macao is also influenced by Portugal, the former sovereign state. Christmas is a legal holiday. Unlike Hong Kong, 65438 on February 24th of Christmas Eve and 65438 on February 25th of Christmas Day are holidays, but 65438 on February 26th of Boxing Day is not.

In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday (but students generally have winter holidays, and coincidentally, 65438+February 23rd, which is close to Christmas, is the national holiday of the emperor's birthday), but people fully accept the Western Santa Claus to celebrate Christmas, but their New Year is a more important holiday.

In India, most educational institutions have Christmas holidays, which begin a few days before Christmas and end a few days after New Year's Day. Christmas is called Christmas in India because of Santa's gifts and shopping? Badadin? (big day).

Christmas in the Catholic country of the Philippines is the longest in the world. Traditionally, Christmas in the Philippines began in 65438+February 65438+June. Traditionally called by the Spanish. Misas de Aguinaldo? (Gift Mass), what is their popular Filipino name? Simbang Gaby? . 65438+Will there be preparations in advance on Christmas Eve on February 24th? Noche buena traditional Christmas dinner after midnight mass. Family members sit together and enjoy the tradition? How are you? The dishes mainly include? Quesso de Bora? Cheese balls, usually made of yidan cheese) and? Jamon? (Christmas ham) Do children ask their priests for it during festivals? Aghina dos? (Gifts), the priest will happily give gifts and wish them prosperity and happiness.

In Korea, Singapore and East Timor, Christmas is also an official holiday.

Other southern hemisphere regions

In the Commonwealth countries in the southern hemisphere, such as Australia and New Zealand, 12 still celebrates Christmas on February 25th, although it is in hot summer, which is totally opposite to the usual image of ice and snow in winter. As a result, Santa Claus wore a red fur coat, but rode a surfboard to the beach to eat an open-air turkey barbecue.

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