Every country surprises with its amazing traditions.
With Christmas coming it’s time to prepare gifts, relief from hangovers and take stock of another year. But what do we know about our festive traditions? And what do we know about Christmas traditions in other countries? Many traditions associated with Christmas are often very original and eccentric. Here we will discuss some of the most unusual Christmas rituals and legends of other countries of the world.
Shoe St. Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht. In Germany, there are peculiar ideas about “Lists of good and naughty children.” On 5 December, getting ready for St. Nicholas Day, German children put out their shoes. Then Saint Nicholas is checking his Golden book, which records the names of good children. Good children find in the Shoe gifts, candy and chocolate. Naughty children, which are listed in the “black book”, get a bundle of rods – and possibly visit a companion of Saint Nicholas, Knecht Ruprecht.
In other European countries, such as Austria and the Czech Republic, the counterpart of St. Nicholas, Knecht Ruprecht, better known as the Krampus. Krampus is polyoses, polycert with impressive horns. During the festival, adults dress up in costumes-horned ungulates things and even lined up the chain. Then they start to catch on the streets naughty children with bundles of rods in their hands. Krampus – in theory – dragging all the captured children to his lair, and then tortures them or eats. The image of Krampus emerged from the pagan Germanic folklore and Norse mythology. This terrible creature is the son of Hel, goddess of the underworld. Fancy a fusion of Christianity and the traditions led to the emergence of the celebration of the Krampus.
Christmas cucumber is probably the most unexpected decoration for the Christmas tree, however, it can be found in every American family. Typically, the glass cucumber needs to be hidden among the branches of the tree. Christmas morning enthusiastic children are tasked with finding the disguised jewelry. First person to find the toy, a gift and, of course, promises much happiness in the coming year. The history of the origin of this rare tradition is not known, but there are a few assumptions. It was once believed that this custom came from Germany, but the vast majority of Germans have never even heard of such a decoration. Another assumption concerns the John C. Lower, infantryman of the American Civil war. The story goes that Lower was captured and sent to a pow camp of Confederate Sumter. On Christmas eve, hungry, Lower asked one of the guards of the camp cucumber. They say that the guard responded to the request of the Lower, and this courtesy saved the life of a prisoner. Thus was born the tradition. However, this story was refuted on the grounds that Civil war ended long before these glass ornaments gained popularity. Many believe that in fact, the Christmas pickle was a clever marketing ploy – an attempt to advertise glass ornaments German production.
The El Gordo. Every year on 22 December the people of Spain look forward to the draw of the Spanish Christmas lottery. The main prize El Gordo (aka The Fat One) – got its name because of its huge size. In 2016, the payment of prizes has been spent 70 percent of income derived from the sale of lottery tickets between lottery winners have been distributed more than 2 billion euros. In recent years, the main prize is 4 million euros. The Spanish Christmas lottery is considered the largest in the world in the size of the prize pool. Its popularity stems from the large number of small prizes.
Tickets have a high price – in the end, the Spanish Christmas lottery for many is a common cause. A single ticket costs 200 euros, and the tenth part of a ticket (“decimo”) costs 20 euros. Therefore, it is not seldom that family members, friends or work colleagues are buying the ticket together. Unlike many other lottery systems, participants have to buy pre-printed tickets, so they can’t choose their own numbers. During the drawing of a group of Spanish schoolchildren pulling lottery balls out of two Golden drums – in one balls with the winning numbers, in other – the prize amount. The children then announce the result. Due to the large amount of prizes the drawing can take several hours, so students get the balls “shifts”.
Every year on 22 December the people of Spain look forward to the draw of the Spanish Christmas lottery. The main prize El Gordo (aka The Fat One) – got its name because of its huge size. In 2016, the payment of prizes has been spent 70 percent of income derived from the sale of lottery tickets between lottery winners have been distributed more than 2 billion euros. In recent years, the main prize is 4 million euros. The Spanish Christmas lottery is considered the largest in the world in the size of the prize pool. Its popularity stems from the large number of small prizes.
Tickets have a high price – in the end, the Spanish Christmas lottery for many is a common cause. A single ticket costs 200 euros, and the tenth part of a ticket (“decimo”) costs 20 euros. Therefore, it is not seldom that family members, friends or work colleagues are buying the ticket together. Unlike many other lottery systems, participants have to buy pre-printed tickets, so they can’t choose their own numbers. During the drawing of a group of Spanish schoolchildren pulling lottery balls out of two Golden drums – in one balls with the winning numbers, in other – the prize amount. The children then announce the result. Due to the large amount of prizes the drawing can take several hours, so students get the balls “shifts”.
KFC is “Kentucky fried chicken” (Kentucky Fried Chicken). When we think of Christmas dinner, few people think about the traditional KFC menu. But for the Japanese, who are preparing for the holiday, the chicken from KFC is at the top of the mandatory list. This was the result of an extraordinary marketing strategy of KFC, and now their dishes are a festive Christmas dinner for many Japanese families. KFC Japan (KFCJ) launched its wildly successful campaign in Kentucky for Christmas in 1970-ies. At the same time produced products such as Party Barrel that was advertised as a replacement of traditional Christmas food. While in Japan only one percent of the population considers themselves Christian, Christmas is recognized by all and is widely celebrated throughout the country. In December, the Japanese KFC chain is so overloaded that many make their orders in advance. Those who did not care about this, are doomed to long-standing in line. Christmas “Kentucky chicken” bought millions of Japanese customers, and the advertising campaign of a network involves many of the largest Japanese celebrities.
It is believed that its popularity KFC Japan is obliged deficit of Turkey. Once in KFC wandered a group of tourists, which is desperate to find anywhere in the Turkey. After learning about the predicament of the group, the Manager of the country’s first branch of KFC Takeshi Okawara organized for them Christmas party. Built on this advertising campaign became a hit, she is still considered a model of modern marketing. At Christmas, complete with chickens served cake and champagne. But we should not forget that all this must be booked in advance.
The night of the radishes. 23 December, residents of the Mexican city of Oaxaca celebrated the Night of radishes. The locals compete with each other, creating the best songs from the radishes and cutting out these vegetables and all kinds of creative work. This tradition was born as a way to lure buyers at a local Christmas market. The event was so popular that in 1897 the mayor of the city made “night of the radishes” is an officially recognized event. Now for the festival of the radishes even have their own land. Annually at the exhibition of radish is a competition and the winner received 12,000 pesos. Mexican artists create a variety of patterns, cutting of radish Christmas scene, holiday characters, figures of animals, monsters and popular heroes. Locals even hang these complex works of art as decorations around the house.
Candy cane. The story of the appearance of candy canes shrouded in mystery. We only know that in the XVII century in Europe produced straight candy canes. About how they were curved, there are three different versions. One of them says that the curved walking stick could be the brainchild of a German choirmaster, who invented it as a brilliant tool to deter children from the hustle and bustle during the Christmas service. The first candy canes were straight and as white as sugar sticks. The choirmaster saw them in the window of a pastry shop and thought that they would help him get kids to be quiet. Assuming that not all parents will be delighted to relate to his idea, the choirmaster asked to make the tips of the sticks in the shape of the hook – that they resembled the cane of a shepherd. Then he presented them as a religious symbol that will remind the children about the three kings and baby Jesus.
The second theory refers to the reign of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 1600 years. At that time there was a ban on Christmas decorations. They say that opponents of the regime came up with this candy as a way to secretly see each other on the streets of England. The third theory is the simplest: the candy gave a hooked shape, to make it easier to hang them on the tree. (The principle of “Occam’s razor”: “do Not multiply things without necessity.”) It is worth noting that the German Christians had already decorated the trees with food and candy, among others, quickly gained popularity.
In fact, no one knows how did candy canes in their present form. However, it is known that the owner of the pastry shop of Bob McCormack made popular to put on their patterns that eventually led to the tradition to decorate canes with red and white stripes. Brother-in-law of McCormack introduced the sticks are bent, the Keller machine, thereby automating the process of production of chocolates.
“Kaganer (Cathal. caganer, literally “serun”): without them, none of the Christmas tree in Catalonia. This tiny figurines that sat under the tree, dangling his pants to empty the bowel”. Historians are unsure of the exact origin of this tradition, but it is possible that she appeared at the turn of the XVII and XVIII centuries. The legend says that any Catalan, which will proudly display their own caganer, waiting for disaster. Kaganer is a symbol of fertility, a pile of manure warming the soil. Traditionally Kaganer was a farmer, but in today’s world there are a number of options. Shops selling caganer in the form of the Queen of England, Darwin, Freud, Princess Leia, Jon snow and Santa Claus.
The Christmas fairy. In Italy among the Christmas characters are always present in the old fairy Befana. It is the same as St. Nicholas carries gifts for all good children. Fairy makes this heroic feat on 5 January, the eve of the Christian feast of the Epiphany. Moving on the broom, Befana enters houses well-adjusted children through the chimneys and leaves the gifts. Naughty kids get instead of a gift of a rod or the pieces of black coal. The legend of the Christmas fairy has religious roots. According to the stories, Three wise men came to Beane with a request to guide them to baby Jesus. Although Befana are unable to fulfill their request, she asked the Magi to the place to stay. Alas, my dear fairy refused the three wise men to follow them and to meet with the Son of God. She still regrets her decision and roams the world, giving annual Christmas gifts.
Boiled sheep’s heads and fried caterpillars. Christmas dinner many South Africans is similar to the meals the heroes of the reality show “I’m a celebrity… get me out of here!”: it includes fried caterpillars. In some parts of Africa, caterpillars of butterflies Gonimbrasiabelina considered a gourmet dish, and they often adorn the Christmas table. But if insects are not your thing, you can arrange in honor of the traditional Norwegian Christmas meal. “Smalahove” is a dish from Western Norway, which is often served along with potatoes, turnips and sausages. The main ingredient of the dish is boiled sheep’s head with bulging eyes and tongue had fallen. Mouth-watering head can be prepared with the brain or without, in the first case it should be scraped with a spoon. Eyeballs, ears and tongue – all fully edible part of the meals.
Yule cat. Yule cat (Jolakotturinn) is a fabulous monster of Iceland that preys on those who are poorly dressed. Bloodthirsty cat eats those people who can’t afford to buy new clothes on the eve of Christmas. It is believed that the tale was intended to intimidate local residents and encouraging them to strike work. The idlers had to meet with the cat-killer – beast, who no longer even the tallest building.
Their attentive eyes Yule cat inspects all the houses, checking out what gifts the children have earned. Ill behaved children do not get clothes as a gift from my parents. Punishment? A quick death from the clutches of a snarling cat. If someone will seem that the Yule cat is not enough to turn the Icelandic child into a screaming neurotic, can remember his friends. The cat lives in company with an ogress Giloy and her sons, “jelskii guys”. The grill preys on naughty children and puts them in your stew. However, “joleska guys” only steal food, frighten juvenile delinquents and put them on the window sill rotting potatoes.
See also: How to look like a Christmas tree-2018 in different countries. Photo
In the eighteenth century stories about the “golskij guys” became so numerous that the Danish rulers of Iceland forbade citizens to count them. Initially the guys were 50, but over the years their number was reduced to 13. The nature of their jokes has changed too. They have become akin to mini-Santa Claus and started handing out gifts obedient children. During the 13 days before Christmas, Icelandic child puts on the window sill one Shoe. Then “Yule man” within each of the 13 nights before Christmas carries the gifts. However, this does not negate the Yule cat. Still want to learn interesting news in the world, then visit our portal every day.
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