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Winter Observances, Celebrations & Holidays
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SIRS Knowledge Source®
A myriad of cultural, religious, artistic, mystical and spiritual observances of the winter season
The diversity of winter festivals and observances around the world reflect the myriad cultures celebrating them. Because winter comprises the Northern Hemisphere's darkest and coldest months, fire and light are traditional symbols of celebrations in this half of the globe.
From candles flickering in Jewish homes to Christmas trees decorated with lights; from the burning of the Yule log to the lighting of the kinara, winter celebrations such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule and Kwanzaa incorporate light into the festivities. In some countries, people take to the streets in celebration, such as in China, where the winter season is commemorated with lavish street festivals during the Lunar New Year. The Mexican tradition of Las Posadas is also a social event, celebrated with street parties and processions paying homage to Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. Some spiritual observations, like the Buddhist holiday Bodhi Day, are more meditative. Other winter holidays are celebrated with feasts, such as Santerian saints' days or Baha'i faith's spiritual observances.
Learn more about worldwide winter observances and celebrations in such articles and Web sites as:
ARTICLES
1. Muslims Press for School Holiday in New York City
2. Some US Hispanics Trace Their Jewish Roots
3. Some Divorced Parents Celebrate Christmas As a Family
4. Ushering in a 'Green' Hanukkah
5. Holiday Outreach
6. Why We Celebrate-or Don't Celebrate Kwanzaa
WEB SITE
An Alutiiq Dance
QUOTE
"Before the era of the great religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism), the religious and ritual practices of many cultures marked rhythms and patterns of nature. Most temperate-zone ancient cultures held special festivals to celebrate the seasonal changes in the Earth and in its flora, fauna, and weather. Fertility celebrations such as May festivals were identified with the springtime planting season, while thanksgiving festivals were linked to the autumn and harvest time. A surprising number of ancient societies, including those close to the Equator, where no perceptible seasonal changes occurred, celebrated the spring and autumnal equinox and the summer and winter solstice."
"Festivals of Fire and Flame: Marking the Turnings of the Year," Parabola, Summer 2001
Read more articles from our Spotlights by logging on to our SIRS Knowledge Source® feature page. Note that the new month's content will not appear until the first of the new month.
SIRS Discoverer®
People around the world celebrate different holidays during the winter season. These holidays may be associated with religious beliefs, spiritual customs, past events, or cultural practices. This diversity makes each holiday very unique. Just think about all of the ways that holidays are celebrated.
Traditions may include festivals, lights, singing, decorations, parades, gift-giving, prayer, fairs, fasts, or feasts. Every holiday has its own prominent symbols too, such as red lanterns for Chinese New Year, pine trees for Christmas, menorahs for Hanukkah, ears of corn for Kwanzaa, and yule logs for winter solstice.
SIRS Discover what makes each winter holiday special in this month's Spotlight of the Month: Winter Holidays Around the World. Editor-selected articles and online destinations include:
ARTICLES
1. Celebrate December
2. Growing Up: Christmas in Zimbabwe
3. The Holly King
4. Chinese New Year
5. Rotterdam Christmas
WEB SITE
Islamic Holidays and Observances
Read more
articles from the Spotlight of the Month by logging on to SIRS Discoverer®.
Monthly Events/Holidays
- Christmas: December 25
Source: Library of Congress (LOC)
"Today, observations of Christmas incorporate the secular and religious traditions of many cultures, from the ancient Roman practice of decorating homes with evergreens and exchanging gifts at the New Year to the Celtic Yule log." (LOC) Learn about the Christmas holiday on this site.
- The Official Kwanzaa Web Site
Source: National Association of Kawaida Organizations
This site, supported by Dr. Maulana Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, explains the roots and principles of Kwanzaa and answers questions for those new to the holiday.
Spotlight of the Month topics are selected mainly from
Chase's Calendar of Events. Articles are also accessible within the main database and remain in our SIRS newsletter archives for one year.
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