There are a lot of holidays in the world such as Independence Day (National Liberation Day), Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, Chuseok, etc. INDIGO will introduce a special holiday, which is well-known. Could you hear the carols from afar? It’s Christmas! INDIGO will show you what Christmas means, and how people have Christmas all around the world through YouTube URL from various Youtubers. If you click the naiton's name, you can directly watch the video. In this article, we will use some emoji, for example, Christmas will be replaced as (tree emoji)!
* (tree emoji) and (Santa Claus emoji) are replacements of real emojis, as they are not shown on this platform. *
As we’ve been heard, is (tree emoji) the day celebrating Jesus’ birth? Incidentally, it’s not clear that Jesus’ birthday is Dec 25. Then why did early Christians commemorate Dec 25 as Jesus’ birthday? Based on the most famous explanation, Dec 25 was the day Romans celebrated the winter solstice as the birth of Sol Invictus who is the God of Sun in those days. It is said that Christian writers used this meaningful day – the boundary of winter and spring - to make some connection by using phonic similarity; the Rebirth of Sun and Birth of Son. Another view is that Christians regarded the day Jesus was conceived as the fourth day in the Bible -which is the day God made light -, thought of the pregnancy day as spring equinox March 25, and they supposed Dec 25 the Jesus’ birthday because it passed 9 months.
Actually, (tree emoji) was welcomed after the 9th century, when Roman Catholics held mass at (tree emoji) midnight and Protestants started candlelight service on (tree emoji) eve and became one of the main Christianity events. In the 15th century, there was the exchanging-gifts custom as Christians regarded the birth of god as a gift from God. As it was expanded increasingly, in earnest, (tree emoji) got non-religious meaning in the 18th century. In European countries, St.Nicholas used to give candies and gifts to children on his feast day and it is said that this was the origin of (Santa Claus emoji) , who gives gifts at every house on (tree emoji) in North America.
And now, we will explore how people celebrate (tree emoji) all around the world. First, we will go to Canada in North America.
CANADA
Dec 25 is the official holiday in Canada, with many Canadians also taking time off on the afternoon of the 24th as well as Boxing Day, celebrated on the 26th. Canada is a multicultural country, so many other holiday traditions aside from Christian ones are observed in December. Hanukkah celebrations are widespread, especially in Toronto and Montreal where there are large Jewish populations.
On (tree emoji) , a special meal -which includes roast turkey, seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes, and gravy- is prepared. Traditional favorite (tree emoji) desserts that remind reminiscent of England include (tree emoji) plum puddings and mincemeat tarts. crackers are popular favors. A Rich Fruit Christmas Cake is also traditional (tree emoji) sweet. Toronto's Santa Claus Parade holds the record as the longest-standing children's parade and has marched jolly St. Nick across town for more than a century.
BRAZIL
Brazil is highly influenced by Portuguese culture and tradition, which can also be seen in (tree emoji) tradition. In Brazil, is known as Dia de Festas, and being celebrated on Dec 25 every year. This festival externalizes religious reflection, people mainly enjoy this festival with families, by throwing a party, having local Brazilian food and drink on this special occasion.
Unlike other countries, the weather here remains hot and sunny, so you can wear whatever you want, and you have a chance to celebrate a Beach Christmas. Along with this, Brazilian play the Secret Santa Claus Game, which is known as Amigo Secreto, these people exchange gifts with others using anonymous names, and on (tree emoji) , they reveal the original name and tell everyone who actually Amigo Secreto was.
As we said, Brazilian culture is highly influenced by Portuguese culture. Brazilian have retained some of their (tree emoji) cultures from them in which most followed is nativity scene or Presepio, the word comes from Presepium, which means the bed of straw in which Jesus slept after birth in Bethlehem. This custom is common in places like northeastern Brazil. Nowadays, we can still find the tradition of setting up Prespios during (tree emoji) in churches, houses, and shops.
KOREA
Western (tree emoji)annual ritual appeared in Kyeong-Seong, the name of Seoul in the Japanese colonial era when seasonal customs are at a crossroads of change based on traditional changes in time and space. Actually, Christian religions (Catholic, Protestant) were introduced in the 18th- 19th century. But the effect on the whole society was insignificant because (tree emoji) were not enough to spread its popularity. In the 20th century, the major Korean modern newspaper - 독립신문, 조선일보 - started to ort (tree emoji) as an important feast day and thus contributed to making public opinion in Korea in those days.
After Korea’s independence from Japan, (tree emoji) became more important due to the 1st Korean president Syngman Rhee, who positively accepted American’s policy - is a holiday-. Based on the fact (tree emoji) is not designated as a holiday in China and Japan, it is an uncommon aspect of the (tree emoji) holiday policy in Korea. In addition, a curfew -from September 1945 to January 1982- that was temporarily lifted on (tree emoji) eve made (tree emoji) special to Korean.
Now, for us, (tree emoji) is the significant holiday that represents the year’s closing, regardless of one’s religion. National holiday policy, increase in the number of Christians, and pursuit of commercial profit have made (tree emoji) a significant seasonal custom in Korea a. Distinctive characteristics are found in (tree emoji) of Korea which is replaced Dongji and played as commercial year-end culture. Tradition can be remade by a change of time. In this respect, (tree emoji) is not just a seasonal ritual from the Western, but a Korea’s seasonal custom which is settled down through commercial culture in the Japanese colonial era.
GHANA
Ghanaian (tree emoji) celebrations start around the 20th of December, lasting till the New Year. There are lots of activities which go on during the festive period, with focusing on people traveling around the country to visit family and friends. With there being over 66 languages spoken in the country, there are many different traditions!
This religious festival coincides with Ghana’s end-of-year cocoa harvest, adding to the celebratory atmosphere in the country. In schools, it’s common to find children making (tree emoji) ornaments from crepe paper. On (tree emoji) Eve, you can spot an outdoor parade, led by local musicians, in many big cities.
The traditional Ghanaian (tree emoji) spread includes dishes made of rice, chicken, goat, lamb, fufu, and other Ghanaian staples. Fufu is a starchy side, which is often made from mixing and pounding cassava – a potato-like vegetable – with a powdered green plantain, which is a fruit very similar to a banana. The two are mixed to make a paste that is then cooked.
During the festive season, people in Ghana often say ‘Afishapa’ to one another. The phrase comes from one of the country’s most-spoken languages, Akan, and translates to ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’.
AUSTRALIA
Australia is the world's largest island, which is the world's smallest continent and the Land Down Under. When Australians celebrate (tree emoji) on Dec 25, it is during summer vacation. Families decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves, and evergreens, along with the colorful flowers that bloom in summer called (tree emoji) bush and (tree emoji) bellflower. On (tree emoji) Eve, families may attend church together. Some children expect Father (tree emoji) (like Brazil) to leave gifts, and others wait for (Santa Claus emoji) (like Canada) to visit and deliver gifts.
(tree emoji) is when families and close friends gather from all over Australia. The highlight of the day is the holiday midday dinner. Some families enjoy a traditional British (tree emoji) dinner of roast turkey or ham and rich plum pudding doused in brandy and set aflame before it is brought to the table. The person who gets the favor baked inside will enjoy good luck all year round.
Other families head for the backyard barbie to grill their (tree emoji) dinner in the sunshine. Many families even go to the beach or to the countryside and enjoy a picnic of cold turkey or ham and a salad. Father Christmas has been known to show up in shorts to greet children at the beach on (tree emoji) !
GERMANY
Though the most important ingredients of (tree emoji) across the world are the same – festive cheer, family time, and delicious food – each country has its own special way of celebrating this magical festival.
St Nicholas Day is a favorite holiday with German children. On the night of Dec 25, children clean and polish their boots and leave them outside the door before going to sleep. The next morning, they find their shoes filled with nuts, candies, and small gifts from St Nicholas. He also makes an appearance in shopping malls and children’s clubs. Though (Santa Claus emoji) has also become popular in Germany, St.Nicholas is much more influential than his American counterpart.
No doubt, whether we’re talking about natives, expats, or tourists, anyone who is in German during the (tree emoji) Market season should visit one, as this is an excellent way to inject a solid dose of genuine (tree emoji) cheer into the holiday hustle and bustle. There are countless markets located throughout Germany, with several typically going down in every major city. Probably some of the most popular are the ones occurring in Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Munich. Come here to enjoy a pleasant and cozy atmosphere where vendors sell their artisan wares and a myriad of tasty treats. The Weihnachtsmarkt experience is best enjoyed with friends, but because the mood is so good, it won’t be hard to make new ones there.
ANTARCTICA
(tree emoji) in Antarctica comes in the middle of the austral summer. (tree emoji) doesn't fit terribly comfortably into the southern hemisphere scheme of things. People in Antarctica at (tree emoji)are either working on scientific stations or they are tourists on a cruise. Summer on a scientific basis is a time of great activity and comes right in the middle of the time-limited work season. Sadly, there are none of the build-ups to (tree emoji) that exist in much of the world. No advertising on TV (no TV), no articles in newspapers and magazines (no regular newspapers and magazines), no street decorations (no streets), no shopping (no shops), and none of the elaborate planning and shared family traditions.
Some however positively enjoy the fact that there isn't any of the last-minute shopping, family obligations, or other stress-inducing aspects of the season! Details depend on the nationality of the base and on the prevailing base culture, but pretty much all Antarctic bases will have a slap-up (tree emoji)meal and a party of some type. A party in the evening tends to be the main event. Dinner will be as traditional as possible in the circumstances, though fresh vegetables and meat are not easy to come by and so will be supplemented with dried, tinned, or frozen varieties. There has arisen a tradition at the American Amundsen/Scott base at the South Pole for A Race Around the World that takes place on (tree emoji). All manner of transport is used to travel around the geographic South Pole, meaning that in passing through all time zones and lines of Longitude, the participants have raced around the world. The course goes around three times and covers two miles.
Starting from the origin of (tree emoji), we traveled to lots of countries to learn about their (tree emoji). Of course, there are nations that don’t celebrate (tree emoji) formally. Even in Pyongyang, however, there are trees decorated with colorful lights and instrumental music like ‘White Christmas’ in upscale restaurants and shopping malls where local elite and resident foreigners often visit. Although religious meaning is absolutely removed by their social belief, the thrilling and exciting mood gives people some pleasure whatever. It has meaning more than just religion to give love and heart to those who are with me through a year. This (tree emoji) , why don’t you prepare a ‘your own’ present to comfort yourself for spending a year without a break? I hope you all have a happy year-end loving yourself first and loving your neighbor as yourself. With love, for those who are involved in publishing the 86th INDIGO and our readers, Merry Christmas.
Here is a special Christmas gift from INDIGO