magic of christmas
New Delhi: As soon as we hear the name of Christmas, colorful trees, gifts, sound of bells and carols come to our mind. But do you know that this festival is not limited to Christian traditions only? Hidden behind it are ancient religious traditions, worship of gods and goddesses, harvest festivals and many unique customs.
Today we will take you on a journey where Christmas is sometimes scary, sometimes fun and sometimes shocking. The word ‘Yule’ is not English, but comes from the Germanic word ‘jol’, which was a winter celebration of the Norse people. After the shortest night of the year, people would light fires and decorate the trunks of evergreen trees, thanking the gods, especially Odin, for getting through another harsh winter.
Later, the Roman Emperor Constantine and the Church chose this time for Christmas. In many places the old customs did not end, but were absorbed into the new religion. That’s why today we still have Yule log cakes, evergreen trees, mistletoe, and gifts.
Unique Christmas traditions around the world
ukraine
Spiders and webs are used to decorate Christmas trees in Ukraine. According to a folk tale, a spider decorated a poor widow’s tree with a web, which turned gold and silver in the morning sunlight. Since then it has become a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
iceland
In Iceland comes not Santa, but a demonic mother named ‘Gryla’, who has 13 children. She catches naughty children and makes stew (vegetable-meat soup). There is also a beautiful tradition called Yule Book Flood, where people read books by giving them as gifts on Christmas.
Spain (Catalonia)
Here, he gives gifts to the children, a wooden stick named ‘Tio de Nadal’, which the children feed and drink. He ends up “pooping” the sweets and toys. It symbolizes fertility, nature and the cycle of life.
Canada
In Canada, children write letters to Santa and also get answers. In this tradition that has been going on for more than 50 years, post office employees become ‘Postal Elf’ and respond to millions of letters.
peru
On Christmas Day in the Peruvian city of Santo Tomas, people resolve mutual disputes with fists in a tradition called Takanakuy. It is important to hug at the end, so that the new year starts without enmity.
austria
Here the scary monster named Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas. People run through the streets wearing terrifying masks in the Krampus Run. This tradition is believed to be linked to Pagan and medieval legends.
sweden
In Sweden, huge goats made of straw are decorated. It commemorates the goats that pulled the chariot of the Norse god Thor.
latvia
Here people go from door to door wearing masks like ghosts, make noise and drive away evil. In return they get sweets and liquor.
philippines
Christmas in the city of San Fernando means a giant colorful lantern competition. This tradition dates back to the time before electricity and has turned into a big industry today.
Japan
Eating fried chicken on Christmas has become a tradition in Japan. KFC’s advertising, which started in the 1970s, became such a hit that today people order weeks in advance.
Venezuela
In Venezuela people party all night and go to church in the morning wearing roller-skates. In many cities, roads are closed so that people can skate comfortably.
guatemala
Here people get rid of bad memories by burning old items and the idol of the devil. Nowadays, Satan can be any disliked leader or celebrity.
No matter how modern the world has become, Christmas still connects us with stories that promise light in the darkness, hope in the winter, and new beginnings in the new year.
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