Christmas Customs From Around The World

Christmas Customs Around the World

by: Freda J. Glatt, MS

December is well-known for Christmas but do you know how people in countries around the world celebrate it? Here are some customs from various parts of the world.

Australia

Greeting – Merry Christmas

Santa’s Name – Santa Claus. Children leave him a piece of cake or biscuits and a glass of milk or a bottle of beer.

Food – Many Christmas dinners include roasted meats and vegetables, special fruit cakes, and puddings with a coin baked inside. Since the temperature can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, people are starting to eat cold meats and salads, tropical fruits like mangoes, and stone fruits like plums. Often, the main meal is eaten for lunch.

Gifts – These are left under the Christmas tree and opened Christmas morning.

Decorations – Shops and homes are decorated with tinsel, Christmas trees, decorations for the holiday, and special lights.

Customs – Traditional and Australian carols are sung by candlelight on Christmas Eve and are broadcast on television. On Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, two sporting events take place:

The Boxing Day Test Match (cricket game) and the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Brazil

Greeting – Feliz Natal

Santa’s Name – Papai Noel (Father Noel), who is dressed in a red, silk suit with boots.

Food – Many people eat a traditional feast with roast turkey and vegetables, while others eat chicken and rice or beans. Beer and wine are also served. Some regions begin eating around 9 PM on Christmas Eve, while others eat around midnight.

Gifts – Local charities take in donations but do not seem to have enough presents for all the children.

Decorations – Brazil has a mixture of people so Christmas is celebrated in different ways. In the northeastern area, it is common to find Nativity Scenes; in the southern part, snow is simulated with little pieces of cotton on pine trees.

Customs – Brazilians sing a number of Christmas carols.

Greece

Greeting – Eftihismena Christougenna

Food – Special holiday cakes are baked.

Gifts – Most Greek people exchange gifts on Saint Basil’s Day, January 1.

Customs – To honor Saint Basil, the holiday cakes have gold coins hidden inside them. The cakes are cut at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Whoever has a gold coin in his piece of cake will have good luck the following year.

Hungary

Santa’s Name – Actually, the Baby Jesus is said to bring presents on Christmas Eve. A bell sounds signaling that the Angels have brought the tree and gifts.

Customs – On December 5, children leave out their shoes. During the night, Mikulas and Black Peter come to fill them with goodies for well-behaved children and switches for naughty children.

India

Decorations – Sometimes, houses are decorated with mango leaves; mango or banana trees are also decorated. Small, clay, oil-burning lamps are placed on the edges of flat roofs as decorations.

Israel

Greeting – Chag Semeach (Happy Chanukah)

Santa’s Name – Actually, parents, grandparents, and other family members give presents to the children.

Food – Because oil is an important part of the holiday, many foods are prepared with it. A favorite is potato latkes (pancakes).

Gifts – Since Chanukah lasts for eight days, children may receive one present each night.

Decorations – Jewish stars, blue or silver foil garlands,

dreidels (spinning tops), Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins), and pictures of the Macabees (Jewish army that recaptured the Holy Temple and Jerusalem from the Assyrian Greek King Antiochus) are found around the house.

Customs – The menorah (candelabra) is lit each night. On the first night, one candle is lit; on, the second night, two candles; and so on until all the candles are lit on the eighth night. After lighting the candles, families eat a festive meal, dance, play games, and open presents. They also attend Chanukah parties.

Japan

Greeting – Kurisumasu Omedeto

Santa’s Name – Santa Kurohsu. He does not appear in person but is pictured in advertisements as a kind old man with a round sack on his back.

Food – Depending upon the family’s custom, they eat turkey on Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve. Japanese families also eat Christmas cake.

Gifts – Stores sell merchandise for men, women, and children; and on Christmas Day, families exchange gifts.

Decorations – More and more artificial Christmas trees are beginning to appear. They are decorated with small toys, gold paper fans, dolls, lanterns, paper ornaments, and wind chimes. A popular ornament is the origami swan. Other decorations are mistletoe, evergreen, tinsel, and lights. An amulet is put on the front door for good luck and children exchange ‘birds of peace,’ pledging there must not be anymore war.

Customs – The daiku, or Great Nine, refers to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and is performed many places.

Mexico

Greeting – Feliz Navidad

Customs – Beginning on December 15, some families carry colorful lanterns and walk from house to house in their neighborhoods, each night, until Christmas Eve. This is called La Posada, which means ‘the procession.’ On each of the nights, the families are invited into different houses where they become guests at a party. There is plenty to eat and drink. Children play the pinata game, trying to break open the papier-mache figure with a stick while blindfolded; when it is cracked open, candies and small gifts fall out.

Netherlands

Greeting – Hartelijke Kerstroeten

Santa’s Name – Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), who wears a red bishop’s hat and bishop’s cloak and has white hair and a white beard. He arrives on a white horse with his servant, Black Pete, to put small gifts in children’s wooden shoes.

Food – The Dutch people eat lots of marzipan, spiced ginger biscuits, tall chocolate letters, and ‘bankletter’ – initials made of pastry and filled with almond paste. When they are around the Christmas tree singing songs, they eat ‘Kerstkrans’ – a Christmas ring.

Gifts – On December 6, after hearing a knock at their door, children find a bag full of toys, nuts, and gifts.

Decorations – The Christmas tree is known as the Paradise Tree. Decorations of the season include dolls, musical instruments, fruit, candies, and lights.

Customs – The Dutch sing carols, the most popular one being “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree.”

Sweden

Greeting – God Jul

Food – Coffee, cakes, and special buns are served on Santa Lucia Day, December 13.

Customs – Santa Lucia Day honors Saint Lucy, who helped blind people. The oldest daughter in each Swedish household dresses in a white gown with a red sash, wears a crown of evergreen

with seven candles in it, awakens the family with a song, and serves the coffee, cakes, and buns. Each town and city also chooses a young woman to be Lucia for the day. She then serves coffee and food to the townspeople at schools, hospitals, and other public buildings. From these women, a national Lucia is chosen; followed by a parade, feast, and dance.

Now that you have this data, let your children put the information in a comparison chart. Label the left side with the names of the countries and the bottom with the various information (ie: Greeting, Food, and so on). Then fill in the boxes!

Let your children do research to find out the information I left out.

Conduct research to find out the same customs for other countries, especially the heritage countries of students in your class or your own family.

However you celebrate the holidays, have a safe, wonderful season and a Happy New Year!

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The Role of Zen in Martial Arts

by: Jeffrey M.Miller

In the ancient traditions of warriorship which found their way into Japan, we can find Buddhist influences and martial practices melding as if made for each other. This article focuses on the influence of Zen on the martial arts and presents a sample view of Zen Master Taisen Deshimaru who often wrote and spoke of Zen and the principles of bushido, “the way of the warrior,” which grew,in part, out of Buddhist principles.

It’s said that the roots of many of the Martial Arts is in India, with Buddhist monks. While many sources give conflicting data, it’s known that in Japan, the only places that were large enough to allow for indoor training during inclement weather, were the huge Buddhist temples. In fact, much of what is done in Martial Arts schools with a Japanese background comes from, and can be traced back to this connection.

For example, white uniforms were the attire of Japanese Buddhist monks and lay-people alike. The kyu and dan “class” and “level” grade rankings were originally developed for and used as markers for how much a monk had learned and progressed through his training. And, much of the etiquette within dojos “training halls”) is identical to those used in these same temples to show respect to all that has gone before me and to all that I aspire to become. In fact, the Japanese kanji characters used to write the word ‘dojo’ actually refer to “a place where enlightenment takes place.”

Now, before you run out and scream about quitting for fear of being converted to Buddhism, Hinduism, or some other ‘foreign’, sacrilegious cult – don’t panic. Buddhism, while often practiced like many conventional Western religions, is not really a religion at all – at least not the way most people define or practice a so-called ‘religion’.

As developed by the founder Siddhartha Gautoma, refered to as the Buddha (“one who is awake”), and fine-tuned over the past two and a half – plus centuries, Buddhism is a philosophy of personal development whereby the practitioner works to understand his or her true nature and the immutable laws of the universe that govern the world and everything in it. It is not at all a belief system as are many religions today, but instead relies on the student coming to an intimate understanding of reality and truth through direct, personal experience.

One of the monks credited with developing martial Arts in the Buddhist temples of the time was known as Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen. This new training was readily adopted by the monks for many reasons. And while the monks may have been interested in defending themselves from unfriendly outsiders, it is also likely that they also wished to prepare themselves for the demands of their daily lives – lives which required that they sat unmoving for hours while in deep meditative practice. The Martial arts they practiced were a great means of physical exercise while still being based heavily on their philosophical beliefs of peace through “understanding conflict.”

Zen, the most popular form of Buddhist thought known today, is directly related to the cross-cultural interchange between Martial Arts and the many philosophical systems that came together as these teachings travelled from India, across the Himalayas, through China and into Japan. Ironically, many Westerners have no idea that Zen is a form of Buddhist study and practice, nor is it usually seen as much more than “seated meditation” to most martial artists – both teachers and students.

Japanese Zen Master Taisen Deshimaru often wrote about Zen and the principles of Bushido, or “the way of the warrior,” which grew, in part, out of Buddhist thought.

The principles of:

Gi: Having the right decision, right attitude, the truth

Yu: Bravery tinged with heroism

Jin: Universal love; compassion

Rei: Right action; courtesy

Makoto: Utter sincerity; truthfulness

Meiyo: Honor; high ethical character

Chugo: Devotion; loyalty

were the common ground between the monk and the warrior. In fact, there is no difference between the two.

Deshimaru emphasized that the learning and practice of these principles is a lifelong process, and needs to take place “…in the body, through the unconscious.” The ancient tradition of the Martial Arts is an internal process, a gradual connection with one’s own deep-seated intuition. Deshimaru explains: “In the spirit of Zen . . .everyday life becomes a contest. There must be an awareness at every moment: getting up in the morning, working, eating, going to bed. That is the place for the mastery of self.”

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A Brief History of Samurai

Japan has a history that dates back thousands of years. Scientists believe the Japanese people descended from many groups that migrated to the islands from other parts of Asia, including China and Korea. As early as 4500 B.C., the Japanese islands were inhabited by fishermen, hunters and farmers. The early culture was known as “Jomon,” which meant “cord pattern.” That’s because the people made pottery decorated with rope-like designs. Scientists believe a caucasian race called the “Ainu” were the first inhabitants of what is now Japan. The Ainu still exist today, mostly in the northernmost islands of Japan called “Hokkaido.” The next major Japanese cultural changed occured about 200 B.C. The people were known as “Yayoi.” The Yayoi were mostly farmers. Scientists believe the present-day Japanese closely resemble the Yayoi in appearance and language.

War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. A chief headed each clan; made up of related families. The chiefs were the ancestors of Japan‘s imperial family. The wars were usually about “land.” Only 20% of the land was fit for farming. The struggle for control of that land eventually gave rise to the Samurai.

One of the important dates in the history of the Japanese warring class is 660 B.C. That’s when, according to legend, Jimmu Tenno became head of a confederation of warlike clans. Tenno was known as “The Divine Warrior.” He led his people from Kyushu to the Kinki region and conquered the people there. Tenno settled in the area of Yamato. This eventually gave rise to the Yamato dynasty and state. The leaders of Yamato believed themselves to be of divine origin.

The Yamato clans conducted many military campaigns on the Asian mainland. The targets included Korea and China. These campaigns led to the importation of Korean and Chinese culture, technology and martial arts.

Legend says that Emperor Keiko was the first person with the title of “Shogun.” The word meant “Barbarian-subduing General.” Legend continues that Keiko had a son named “Prince Yamato.” He was cunning, fearless, strong and a great martial artist. Many believe that Yamato was a role model for future Samurai.

English: Samurai of the Chosyu clan, during the Boshin War period (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centerpiece for the Japanese Samurai. Early weapons included bows, arrows and swords. Armour included a helmet that protected head and neck, a breasplate that protected the chest, arm and shoulder protectors, and a belly wrap. Later armour included protection for the legs and thighs. Armour changed as the type of battles changed. A big change occured in the 5th century when horses were introduced to Japan. Another change occured in the 15th century because of the constancy of war and the introduction of guns into battle. The code developed from the Chinese concept of the virtues of warriors doing battle to the Samurai code of chivalry known as Kyuba no michi (“The Way of Horse and Bow”) to the Bushido (“Way of the Warrior”) code.

“Bushido” means “Way of the Warrior.” It was at the heart of the beliefs and conduct of the Samurai. The philosophy of Bushido is “freedom from fear.” It meant that the Samurai transcended his fear of death. That gave him the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die well if necessary. “Duty” is a primary philosophy of the Samurai.

The Samurai rose out of the continuing battles for land among three main clans: the Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Taira. The Samurai eventually became a class unto themselves between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D. They were called by two names: Samurai (knights-retainers) and Bushi (warriors). Some of them were related to the ruling class. Others were hired men. They gave complete loyalty to their Daimyo (feudal landowners) and received land and position in return. Each Daimyo used his Samurai to protect his land and to expand his power and rights to more land.

Français : Archer japonais. Photographie prise en 1867 par Felice Beato. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Samurai became expert in fighting from horseback and on the ground. They practiced armed and un-armed combat. The early Samurai emphasized fighting with the bow and arrow. They used swords for close-in fighting and beheading their enemies. Battles with the Mongols in the late 13th century led to a change in the Samurai’s fighting style. They began to use their sword more and also made more use of spears and naginata. The Samurai slowly changed from fighting on horseback to fighting on foot.

The Samurai wore two swords (daisho). One was long; the other short. The long sword (daito – katana) was more than 24 inches. The short sword (shoto – wakizashi) was between 12 and 24 inches. The Samurai often gave names to their swords and believed it was the “soul” of their warriorship. The oldest swords were straight and had their early design in Korea and China. The Samurai’s desire for tougher, sharper swords for battle gave rise to the curved blade we still have today. The sword had its beginning as iron combined with carbon. The swordsmith used fire, water, anvil and hammer to shape the world’s best swords. After forging the blade, the sword polisher did his work to prepare the blade for the “furniture” that surrounded it. Next, the sword tester took the new blade and cut through the bodies of corpses or condemned criminals. They started by cutting through the small bones of the body and moved up to the large bones. Test results were often recorded on the nakago (the metal piece attaching the sword blade to the handle).

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Has Hayabusa picked up alien life?

Japan‘s Hayabusa space probe has picked up particles that could contain alien life.

Scientists studying the particles picked up during the probe’s mission have found that they contain characteristics unlike those of the aluminium powder and dust samples already collected.

Scientists are said to have discovered minute particles that may contain extraterrestrial life from outside Earth. An analysis conducted by electronic microscopes shows the particles containing characteristics that are different from dust or aluminium powder samples already collected, according to Japanese reports.

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