Christmas, the most important holiday in the West, is approaching, and in line with the principle of "opening eyes and long insights", today we will share 10 things about Christmas.
1. Origin of festivals and Meaning in English
Christmas, originally a Christian holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus, was first closely associated with religion.
Its English word Christmas is short for Christ's mass, Christ is Christ, mass is Mass, that is, the church's eucharist.
Later, Westerners associated Christmas with the Gregorian New Year with similar dates, collectively known as the "Christmas and New Year season", which evolved into the most important public holiday in most western countries. During this time, people celebrate and give each other gifts.
Its status is equivalent to china's Spring Festival.
2. Names and aliases
Christmas, which means "birth of a saint", Jesus is a Western saint, so there is this name.
But in other countries and regions, Christmas is also known as "Jesus Day" and "Christmas Day". This is a more accurate concept than "Christmas".
3. Why Merry Christmas?
Foreigners congratulate Merry Christmas and say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas, why?
Some language experts believe that the word Merry can be translated as: pleasant, slightly drunk, playful. It focuses on behavioral descriptions and even a little raucous and joyful meaning. And Happy focuses more on inner feelings, approaching the concept of happiness and happiness. Christmas is a holiday of celebration and fun, and Merry is more in line with the festive atmosphere.
But in the UK, the happy Christmas statement is also retained, because conservative Britons believe that the word Merry is a bit unorthodox, so when the Queen gives her speech, she says Happy Christmas.
4. Why December 25th?
Christmas is held on December 25 every year. It is generally believed that this was established by the Roman Church in the fourth century AD.
The Bible does not record the exact date of Jesus' birth, so why did the church set it for December 25?
There are three ways to say it:
First, the time calculated according to the date of conception of the Virgin Mary. According to the Bible, the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son Jesus, on March 25 as the Feast of the Son. About 40 weeks from conception, Jesus will be born on December 25, so it is Christmas.
Second, europe was very religious at the time called Mithraic, and December 25 was the birthday of the god Mithras.
Third, this day is the time of the winter solstice on the Roman calendar, and the Romans used Christmas to celebrate the change of daylight hours from short to long.
It should be noted here that December 25 is only the mainstream Christmas time, not the only one, and some other denominations are scheduled for January 6, 7 or 19.
5. Origin of Christmas Eve
Christmas on December 25, and Christmas Eve on December 24, which is Christmas Eve.
In 1818, an Austrian elementary school teacher, Franz Xaver Gruber, wrote a tune by Father Joseph. Joseph Mohr co-wrote a Christmas carol, "Stille Nacht," meaning "Silent Night."
The song has been popular all over the world and has been translated into various languages. During the Republic of China period, Mr. Liu Tingfang, a former professor at Yenching University, gave this song Chinese lyrics, which he did not directly translate into "silent night", but translated it as "Christmas Eve" according to the meaning of "tranquility and calmness" in the song.
Since then, Christmas Eve on December 24 has become a famous "Christmas Eve" in China.
6. Main Christmas customs
In the West, there are many Christmas customs, and there are great differences between different countries, mainly including decorating Christmas trees, greeting Santa Claus, receiving gifts with Christmas socks, writing Christmas cards, hanging Christmas wreaths, relatives and friends exchanging gifts, eating Christmas turkeys and so on.
7. The story of Santa Claus
The prototype of Santa Claus was St. Nicholas, a kind bishop of Mira during the Roman Empire, who often quietly gave gifts to children.
Where is Mira City? Present-day Turkey. That is to say, the ancestor of Santa Claus was a Turk.
The Europeans created the image of Santa Claus based on the events of St. Nicholas.
Later, for the first time, an American poet depicted Santa Claus in detail: his cheeks were like roses, his nose was like a cherry, he had a white beard, his face was full of laughter, and he would drive reindeer to the village and town before Christmas, climb down from the chimney of every house, and give gifts to the children.
Since then, the image of Santa Claus has begun to spread widely and is deeply rooted in people's hearts.
The Finns of Northern Europe were very clever, and they used the story legend to be the first to take ownership of Santa Claus. They insisted that Santa Claus and 20,000 reindeer lived on the "Ear Mountain" in the Finnish Lapland region, finland was the first country to welcome Santa Claus to settle down, and the "Ear Mountain" was Santa Claus's hometown.
In 1985, Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, built santa claus village. Ten years later, on Christmas Eve 1995, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Gurry, sent Santa Claus a holiday card to Rovaniemi.
Officially recognized by the United Nations, it has become the world's recognized home of Santa Claus.
Speaking of which, I both praise the business acumen of the Finns and feel sorry for Turkey, after all, people are the authentic hometown of Santa Claus!
8. Christmas stockings legend
At Christmas, it has always been a tradition to receive gifts with socks.
Legend has it that there was a poor man in ancient times whose three daughters were going to marry, but did not have any dowry. When Saint Nicholas knew, he quietly threw three bags of gold through the chimney, and one of them fell into a stocking on the fireplace.
Since then, children have hung stockings on the fireplace on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa's gifts.
9. The earliest Christmas card
In 1844, queen Victoria of England was celebrating Christmas at Windsor Castle in London, and she wrote a letter inviting the children of the nobility to come to the Christmas feast and wrote some words of blessing on the invitation card.
Later, the people followed suit and wrote blessing cards to relatives and friends at Christmas, which became a trend.
10. The connotation of the Christmas tree
It is generally believed that the tradition of the Christmas tree may have originated from the early European tribal custom of sacrificing the agricultural gods.
Some people say that Estonia and Latvia are home to Christmas trees. In the central square of Riga, the capital of Latvia, there is a sign in 8 languages that reads: "The first Christmas tree in Riga in 1510".
But others say that the Germans of the 16th century were the first users of the Christmas tree.
People use evergreen fir or pine trees to make Christmas trees, symbolizing the longevity of life.
Christmas trees are usually hung with lanterns and other colorful decorations to add to the festive atmosphere. On Christmas eve, people sing and dance around the Christmas tree.
Traditionally, christmas trees are decorated on Christmas Eve and removed after 12 nights, also on January 6. Both advance and postponement are considered unlucky. However, modern people have broken this tradition, they put out the Christmas tree early, and they do not necessarily follow the old rule of placing it for 12 nights.
Even the oldest festivals will evolve with the times and rejuvenate in the new era.