The document discusses the origins and evolution of Santa Claus from various winter solstice traditions in pagan religions to his current modern depiction. It describes how the figure of Santa Claus was derived from Saint Nicholas and influenced by pagan Germanic gods like Odin. It outlines how Santa's image as a jolly, gift-giving figure developed over time due to Christmas poems, political cartoons in the 1800s, and Coca-Cola advertising in the early 1900s which established his red suit and ties to Christmas celebrations. The document also briefly discusses historical controversies over Santa Claus and secular Christmas themes.
The Inuit are the indigenous people of the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia. They have a shared cultural heritage and language, despite living across a vast geographic area of over 6,000 km. There are approximately 40,000 Inuit currently living in Canada. The Inuit traditionally relied on hunting marine mammals like seals and whales, as well as caribou, for survival in the harsh Arctic climate.
U2 is an Irish rock band formed in 1976 in Dublin. The band consists of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. Some of their most famous and influential albums include War, The Joshua Tree, and No Line on the Horizon. U2 is known for their epic live shows and innovative stage designs, and have been influenced by artists like the Beatles, Van Morrison, and Elvis Presley while also influencing many bands that have come after them.
Hawaii is known as the Aloha State. Its state bird is the Nene goose and its state flower is the yellow Hibiscus. Hawaii has 8 main islands and became the 50th US state in 1959. The climate is warm year-round, with temperatures between 68-75 degrees F. Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean and its economy relies on tourism, as well as agriculture like pineapple and sugar cane. Famous landmarks include Pearl Harbor and volcanoes like Kilauea.
The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale to empower African Americans during a time of racial inequality and police brutality. They advocated for civil rights and black empowerment through programs like free breakfasts for children and liberation schools. The Party's "10 Point Program" outlined their goals of freedom, justice, and economic security for black communities. In addition to advocating political change, the Panthers practiced community self-defense against police through armed patrols, which sometimes led to violent clashes.
Los Rolling Stones se formaron en Londres en 1962 y fueron pioneros del rock and roll. La banda originalmente versionaba temas de blues y rhythm and blues estadounidenses. Sus primeros álbumes estaban compuestos principalmente por versiones hasta que empezaron a incorporar elementos propios. A lo largo de las décadas han sacado exitosos discos y se han mantenido activos, siendo considerados la banda más grande en la historia del rock and roll.
The document provides background information on the Inuit people. It discusses that the Inuit are indigenous peoples inhabiting Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. They are descended from the Thule culture and displaced the related Dorset culture. The Inuit speak Inuktitut and rely on hunting marine mammals like seals and walrus for food and materials. They use dogsleds, kayaks, and umiaks for transportation and make clothing from animal skins for protection from the harsh Arctic climate. Marriage customs among Inuit were not strictly monogamous and divorce was sometimes arranged by community elders.
The YARIS platform will become the information sharing tool amongst the 27 maritime centres of the Yaoundé Architecture, their partners and all stakeholders involved within 6 000 km off the coast. Conceived primarily as a maritime situational awareness (MSA) tool, it allows both to know what is going on at sea and to coordinate crisis situation operations. It also incorporates email and videoconference services.
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in 1972 consisting of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They became one of the most commercially successful bands in history, topping charts worldwide from 1975-1982 and selling over 380 million albums and singles, making them one of the best-selling music artists ever. They won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden with their success propelling them to international fame.
The Inuit are the indigenous people of the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia. They have a shared cultural heritage and language, despite living across a vast geographic area of over 6,000 km. There are approximately 40,000 Inuit currently living in Canada. The Inuit traditionally relied on hunting marine mammals like seals and whales, as well as caribou, for survival in the harsh Arctic climate.
U2 is an Irish rock band formed in 1976 in Dublin. The band consists of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. Some of their most famous and influential albums include War, The Joshua Tree, and No Line on the Horizon. U2 is known for their epic live shows and innovative stage designs, and have been influenced by artists like the Beatles, Van Morrison, and Elvis Presley while also influencing many bands that have come after them.
Hawaii is known as the Aloha State. Its state bird is the Nene goose and its state flower is the yellow Hibiscus. Hawaii has 8 main islands and became the 50th US state in 1959. The climate is warm year-round, with temperatures between 68-75 degrees F. Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean and its economy relies on tourism, as well as agriculture like pineapple and sugar cane. Famous landmarks include Pearl Harbor and volcanoes like Kilauea.
The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale to empower African Americans during a time of racial inequality and police brutality. They advocated for civil rights and black empowerment through programs like free breakfasts for children and liberation schools. The Party's "10 Point Program" outlined their goals of freedom, justice, and economic security for black communities. In addition to advocating political change, the Panthers practiced community self-defense against police through armed patrols, which sometimes led to violent clashes.
Los Rolling Stones se formaron en Londres en 1962 y fueron pioneros del rock and roll. La banda originalmente versionaba temas de blues y rhythm and blues estadounidenses. Sus primeros álbumes estaban compuestos principalmente por versiones hasta que empezaron a incorporar elementos propios. A lo largo de las décadas han sacado exitosos discos y se han mantenido activos, siendo considerados la banda más grande en la historia del rock and roll.
The document provides background information on the Inuit people. It discusses that the Inuit are indigenous peoples inhabiting Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. They are descended from the Thule culture and displaced the related Dorset culture. The Inuit speak Inuktitut and rely on hunting marine mammals like seals and walrus for food and materials. They use dogsleds, kayaks, and umiaks for transportation and make clothing from animal skins for protection from the harsh Arctic climate. Marriage customs among Inuit were not strictly monogamous and divorce was sometimes arranged by community elders.
The YARIS platform will become the information sharing tool amongst the 27 maritime centres of the Yaoundé Architecture, their partners and all stakeholders involved within 6 000 km off the coast. Conceived primarily as a maritime situational awareness (MSA) tool, it allows both to know what is going on at sea and to coordinate crisis situation operations. It also incorporates email and videoconference services.
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in 1972 consisting of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They became one of the most commercially successful bands in history, topping charts worldwide from 1975-1982 and selling over 380 million albums and singles, making them one of the best-selling music artists ever. They won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden with their success propelling them to international fame.
Irish music has its roots in oral tradition dating back to the 18th century and includes many genres that developed on the entire island of Ireland. It has kept traditional aspects while also influencing other forms of music and experiencing international success in genres like rock, popular music and traditional fusion artists like The Corrs, The Chieftains, Enya, and U2. Traditional Irish instruments include the bodhrán, fiddle, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, guitar, and harp. Famous Irish groups and singers that have achieved international recognition include The Chieftains, Clannad, The Dubliners, Enya, Van Morrison, The Corrs, U2, and Sinead O'Connor.
The document provides information about the U.S. state of Arizona. It notes that Arizona's capital and largest city is Phoenix, and that the state has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. It also briefly describes some of Arizona's geographic features like the Grand Canyon and Mogollon Rim, and lists population and sports team details. The document concludes by mentioning four notable people born in Arizona, including actress Erika Alexander, musician Chester Bennington, Senator John McCain, and actor Matt Dallas.
Elvis Presley was born in 1935 in Mississippi and moved to Memphis as a child. He was influenced by many musical genres including gospel, country, and R&B. His recording career began in 1954 and his unique sound became a huge international success. Known simply as Elvis, he was one of the most important figures in 20th century popular culture and sold over 1 billion records. He died at his home, Graceland, in 1977 which now serves as a museum dedicated to his legacy.
El hip hop se originó en el sur del Bronx y Harlem en la década de 1970 entre jóvenes latinos y afroamericanos como una forma de expresión artística y una salida a las desigualdades sociales. Se caracteriza por cuatro elementos: rap, DJing, breaking y graffiti. El rap involucra recitar o cantar rítmicamente, el DJing manipula sonidos de discos, el breaking es una danza urbana y el graffiti involucra pintar en espacios públicos.
El jazz es una música ecléctica que surge a principios del siglo XX de la mezcla de culturas europeas, africanas y estadounidenses. Tiene sus orígenes en Nueva Orleans y se caracteriza por la improvisación y el swing. A lo largo del siglo pasado evolucionó desde el dixieland hasta estilos como el bebop, cool jazz y fusion, convirtiéndose en una música minoritaria pero con gran diversidad de corrientes.
Hawaii is an island state in the Pacific Ocean comprised of over 100 islands. It is the most recent of the 50 U.S. states, gaining statehood in 1959. The islands were formed by volcanic activity and are home to active volcanoes like Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Honolulu is the capital and largest city, located on the island of Oahu. Key aspects of Hawaiian culture include hula dancing, surfing, and use of the Hawaiian language.
This document discusses history as an area of knowledge and explores some common themes and questions around the subject:
- Is there a single historical truth?
- Why is history an important area of knowledge?
- Why are there competing versions of history?
It references several thinkers who have discussed the importance of history in defining identity, both individually and collectively. The document also presents two classroom activities asking students to reframe a historical figure in a positive light or to determine how they would use time travel to clarify the historical record.
This document discusses signs and signifiers and asks the reader to identify examples of signs and what they signify. It provides examples of images and text where the literal sign and deeper meaning or signifier have distinct differences. The reader is then prompted to find their own examples of signs where the literal and deeper meaning differ.
This document summarizes a design workshop that was held on January 22nd, 2014 for the redevelopment of Island School in Hong Kong. It introduces the project team led by Thomas Chow Architects and schmidt hammer lassen architects. It then discusses the team's experience with similar educational projects. The workshop explored understanding the learning environment, philosophy and needs of Island School. Different conceptual designs and options were presented and discussed, with a focus on the student experience and co-creation process with staff and students.
The document summarizes key differences between Carnival celebrations in Salvador-Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Salvador-Bahia, Carnival has stronger African influences and is more spontaneous with local participation. In contrast, Rio's Carnival developed as an annual competition between Samba schools and features large-scale parades viewed by spectators in the purpose-built Sambadrome. The winning school in 2007 had the theme of Africa, reflecting Brazil's cultural roots.
This document provides an overview and guide for volunteering in Brazil. It begins with an introduction to Brazil, highlighting reasons to volunteer such as stunning landscapes, festivals, music/dance, soccer, and opportunities to make an impact. Popular volunteer projects are described, including teaching English, health work, environment/wildlife conservation, and community development. Recommended locations to volunteer are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Manaus. The best seasons to volunteer are April-June and August-October. Later chapters provide tips for choosing a program, preparing, what to expect, safety, and completing a project. Recommended organizations offering volunteer opportunities in Brazil are also listed.
This document outlines an agenda and guidance for students beginning their dissertation for a BA in Events and Leisure Marketing or Events Management. It discusses dissertation objectives, structure, topics, data collection, the writing process, and supervision. Key points include:
- Dissertations should be 10,000 words, with sections for introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, analysis, and conclusion.
- Suggested topics are rooted in events and leisure areas like event experiences, consumer behavior, and new media's impact.
- Data collection should follow literature review and methodology approval. Archives of event data are available.
- Continuous writing is important, not just a "writing-up phase." Tools like blogs and
El Glastonbury Festival es un festival de artes escénicas contemporáneas que se celebra durante tres días en Pilton, Somerset y es principalmente conocido por su música en vivo. El festival comenzó en 1970 con una asistencia de aproximadamente 1.500 personas y ahora recibe a cerca de 135.000 espectadores cada año. El festival permite acampar ya que son tres días seguidos de presentaciones y cuenta con servicios de transporte debido a que el acceso puede ser complicado.
This report summarizes the findings of an impact assessment study of the 12 festivals represented by Festivals Edinburgh. Through extensive primary research including over 15,000 respondents across various surveys, the study evaluated the festivals' cultural, social, economic, environmental, and media impacts. Key findings include:
1) The festivals provide an incredibly rich variety of cultural experiences and develop audiences for culture. Audiences reported high satisfaction and felt festivals deepened their engagement with cultural forms.
2) The festivals deliver significant social impacts such as community cohesion, understanding between cultures, and quality of life improvements. They also support skills development and career opportunities.
3) Economically, the festivals generate substantial expenditure and tourism revenue for Edinburgh and Scotland.
The Glastonbury Festival aims to encourage youth culture from around the world through various performing arts like music, dance, theater, and visual arts. An area is dedicated to alternative medicine and environmentally friendly technologies. While the festival pursues profit, it also employs organizations to raise money for charities. The target audience is people of all ages interested in live performances, though younger children may face safety risks in large crowds. The festival is primarily funded through ticket sales, with some corporate sponsors helping for charitable causes.
Carnival Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and began with two ships, the Mardi Gras and Carnivale. While the company experienced early deficits, through competitive pricing, onboard entertainment, and marketing Carnival began to see success and revenue growth. The company pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy in the late 1980s and 1990s, purchasing major cruise lines like Holland America, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, and Princess Cruises, becoming a global cruise line. Currently Carnival is expanding its presence in European and Asian markets while operating over 100 ships sailing to destinations worldwide from 22 US ports.
The document discusses the Day of the Dead holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries and cultures. It is a celebration to remember deceased loved ones that involves building altars with offerings of food, drinks, flowers, candles and decorations. Traditions include honoring the dead with sugar skulls, pan de muerto bread, and marigold flowers. The holiday has origins in Aztec traditions but is now a mixture of indigenous and Catholic beliefs held on November 1st and 2nd.
Irish music has its roots in oral tradition dating back to the 18th century and includes many genres that developed on the entire island of Ireland. It has kept traditional aspects while also influencing other forms of music and experiencing international success in genres like rock, popular music and traditional fusion artists like The Corrs, The Chieftains, Enya, and U2. Traditional Irish instruments include the bodhrán, fiddle, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, guitar, and harp. Famous Irish groups and singers that have achieved international recognition include The Chieftains, Clannad, The Dubliners, Enya, Van Morrison, The Corrs, U2, and Sinead O'Connor.
The document provides information about the U.S. state of Arizona. It notes that Arizona's capital and largest city is Phoenix, and that the state has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. It also briefly describes some of Arizona's geographic features like the Grand Canyon and Mogollon Rim, and lists population and sports team details. The document concludes by mentioning four notable people born in Arizona, including actress Erika Alexander, musician Chester Bennington, Senator John McCain, and actor Matt Dallas.
Elvis Presley was born in 1935 in Mississippi and moved to Memphis as a child. He was influenced by many musical genres including gospel, country, and R&B. His recording career began in 1954 and his unique sound became a huge international success. Known simply as Elvis, he was one of the most important figures in 20th century popular culture and sold over 1 billion records. He died at his home, Graceland, in 1977 which now serves as a museum dedicated to his legacy.
El hip hop se originó en el sur del Bronx y Harlem en la década de 1970 entre jóvenes latinos y afroamericanos como una forma de expresión artística y una salida a las desigualdades sociales. Se caracteriza por cuatro elementos: rap, DJing, breaking y graffiti. El rap involucra recitar o cantar rítmicamente, el DJing manipula sonidos de discos, el breaking es una danza urbana y el graffiti involucra pintar en espacios públicos.
El jazz es una música ecléctica que surge a principios del siglo XX de la mezcla de culturas europeas, africanas y estadounidenses. Tiene sus orígenes en Nueva Orleans y se caracteriza por la improvisación y el swing. A lo largo del siglo pasado evolucionó desde el dixieland hasta estilos como el bebop, cool jazz y fusion, convirtiéndose en una música minoritaria pero con gran diversidad de corrientes.
Hawaii is an island state in the Pacific Ocean comprised of over 100 islands. It is the most recent of the 50 U.S. states, gaining statehood in 1959. The islands were formed by volcanic activity and are home to active volcanoes like Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Honolulu is the capital and largest city, located on the island of Oahu. Key aspects of Hawaiian culture include hula dancing, surfing, and use of the Hawaiian language.
This document discusses history as an area of knowledge and explores some common themes and questions around the subject:
- Is there a single historical truth?
- Why is history an important area of knowledge?
- Why are there competing versions of history?
It references several thinkers who have discussed the importance of history in defining identity, both individually and collectively. The document also presents two classroom activities asking students to reframe a historical figure in a positive light or to determine how they would use time travel to clarify the historical record.
This document discusses signs and signifiers and asks the reader to identify examples of signs and what they signify. It provides examples of images and text where the literal sign and deeper meaning or signifier have distinct differences. The reader is then prompted to find their own examples of signs where the literal and deeper meaning differ.
This document summarizes a design workshop that was held on January 22nd, 2014 for the redevelopment of Island School in Hong Kong. It introduces the project team led by Thomas Chow Architects and schmidt hammer lassen architects. It then discusses the team's experience with similar educational projects. The workshop explored understanding the learning environment, philosophy and needs of Island School. Different conceptual designs and options were presented and discussed, with a focus on the student experience and co-creation process with staff and students.
The document summarizes key differences between Carnival celebrations in Salvador-Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Salvador-Bahia, Carnival has stronger African influences and is more spontaneous with local participation. In contrast, Rio's Carnival developed as an annual competition between Samba schools and features large-scale parades viewed by spectators in the purpose-built Sambadrome. The winning school in 2007 had the theme of Africa, reflecting Brazil's cultural roots.
This document provides an overview and guide for volunteering in Brazil. It begins with an introduction to Brazil, highlighting reasons to volunteer such as stunning landscapes, festivals, music/dance, soccer, and opportunities to make an impact. Popular volunteer projects are described, including teaching English, health work, environment/wildlife conservation, and community development. Recommended locations to volunteer are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Manaus. The best seasons to volunteer are April-June and August-October. Later chapters provide tips for choosing a program, preparing, what to expect, safety, and completing a project. Recommended organizations offering volunteer opportunities in Brazil are also listed.
This document outlines an agenda and guidance for students beginning their dissertation for a BA in Events and Leisure Marketing or Events Management. It discusses dissertation objectives, structure, topics, data collection, the writing process, and supervision. Key points include:
- Dissertations should be 10,000 words, with sections for introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, analysis, and conclusion.
- Suggested topics are rooted in events and leisure areas like event experiences, consumer behavior, and new media's impact.
- Data collection should follow literature review and methodology approval. Archives of event data are available.
- Continuous writing is important, not just a "writing-up phase." Tools like blogs and
El Glastonbury Festival es un festival de artes escénicas contemporáneas que se celebra durante tres días en Pilton, Somerset y es principalmente conocido por su música en vivo. El festival comenzó en 1970 con una asistencia de aproximadamente 1.500 personas y ahora recibe a cerca de 135.000 espectadores cada año. El festival permite acampar ya que son tres días seguidos de presentaciones y cuenta con servicios de transporte debido a que el acceso puede ser complicado.
This report summarizes the findings of an impact assessment study of the 12 festivals represented by Festivals Edinburgh. Through extensive primary research including over 15,000 respondents across various surveys, the study evaluated the festivals' cultural, social, economic, environmental, and media impacts. Key findings include:
1) The festivals provide an incredibly rich variety of cultural experiences and develop audiences for culture. Audiences reported high satisfaction and felt festivals deepened their engagement with cultural forms.
2) The festivals deliver significant social impacts such as community cohesion, understanding between cultures, and quality of life improvements. They also support skills development and career opportunities.
3) Economically, the festivals generate substantial expenditure and tourism revenue for Edinburgh and Scotland.
The Glastonbury Festival aims to encourage youth culture from around the world through various performing arts like music, dance, theater, and visual arts. An area is dedicated to alternative medicine and environmentally friendly technologies. While the festival pursues profit, it also employs organizations to raise money for charities. The target audience is people of all ages interested in live performances, though younger children may face safety risks in large crowds. The festival is primarily funded through ticket sales, with some corporate sponsors helping for charitable causes.
Carnival Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and began with two ships, the Mardi Gras and Carnivale. While the company experienced early deficits, through competitive pricing, onboard entertainment, and marketing Carnival began to see success and revenue growth. The company pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy in the late 1980s and 1990s, purchasing major cruise lines like Holland America, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, and Princess Cruises, becoming a global cruise line. Currently Carnival is expanding its presence in European and Asian markets while operating over 100 ships sailing to destinations worldwide from 22 US ports.
The document discusses the Day of the Dead holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries and cultures. It is a celebration to remember deceased loved ones that involves building altars with offerings of food, drinks, flowers, candles and decorations. Traditions include honoring the dead with sugar skulls, pan de muerto bread, and marigold flowers. The holiday has origins in Aztec traditions but is now a mixture of indigenous and Catholic beliefs held on November 1st and 2nd.
The Venetian carnival has a long history, first being recorded in 1268. Over the centuries, many laws were passed in Italy attempting to restrict the subversive celebrations and often banning masks. Traditionally, masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival and were worn between St. Stephen's Day on December 26th and midnight of Shrove Tuesday.
Venice is a historic city located on islands in a lagoon off the coast of Italy that experiences significant environmental threats and mass tourism. The historic city has seen its population drop from 175,000 to 78,000 while receiving around 15 million visitors annually. Tourism brings both economic benefits but also places strain on Venice's fragile infrastructure as the number of visitors often exceeds the carrying capacity of the city. Managing visitor numbers and directing tourists away from the most crowded areas will be important to preserve Venice's cultural heritage and living city status for the future.
The document provides information about Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones. It is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd to coincide with Halloween and All Saints' Day. Families build ofrendas or altars in homes with photos, favorite foods, flowers, and candles to welcome back spirits of the dead. Skulls, skeleton figurines, papel picado decorations, pan de muertos bread, and marigold flowers are common symbols of the holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and areas with Latino heritage.
This presentation is made for a high-school Geography project, which intends to investigate the urban development problems and possible solutions for Rio de Janeiro.
I'm not responsible for any mistakes or wrong information distributed through this presentation, whatsoever.
Italy has a long and diverse history dating back to ancient times. It has been influenced by various civilizations and tribes over the centuries. Some key periods included domination by the Roman Empire, foreign rule in the 17th-19th centuries, and eventual unification in 1861. Italy has a predominantly mountainous landscape and Mediterranean climate. It has a highly developed economy and culture, being a global influence in fields like art, architecture, music, cinema, and cuisine.
Christmas was not declared a federal holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870. During the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous. The contemporary Santa Claus figure was born in the United States in the 19th century, influenced by artists, writers and evolving American culture. Santa Claus was first depicted as wearing a red suit and living at the North Pole in 1863. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was created in 1939 as part of an advertising campaign. The use of Christmas trees began in Germany and has since spread globally with the help of Christmas lights. Christmas traditions vary widely around the world and within different regions of the United States.
The document summarizes the origins and evolution of Santa Claus figures from various cultures. It describes figures like Saint Nicholas who gave gifts to poor families in Turkey in the 4th century AD. It then discusses traditions from countries like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Russia that involved gift-giving near Christmas by figures like Father Christmas, Christkind, Balthazar, La Befana, and Babouschka. It outlines how Santa was depicted in American artwork and advertisements over time, from Thomas Nast's political cartoons to Norman Rockwell paintings to Coca-Cola ads cementing the modern image of Santa.
Santa Claus has evolved over centuries from multiple influences and folk traditions. Early depictions of Santa were influenced by poems and illustrations in the 1820s, showing him arriving by sleigh pulled by reindeer. These were based on traditions of figures like the 4th century St. Nicholas and Norse gods like Odin and Thor. Over time, Santa absorbed elements from pagan winter solstice celebrations and nature spirits. While modern Santa is typically seen as a cheerful gift-giver, his origins involve more complex and sometimes frightening pagan influences that have been incorporated into Christmas traditions.
The document provides a history of Christmas trees and their origins. It discusses how evergreen trees have long been used in winter festivals by pagans and early Christians. The tradition of Christmas trees began around 1000 AD in Northern Europe, though early trees were sometimes hung upside down or made of other plants or wooden pyramids. The first documented trees used for Christmas celebrations were in Tallinn, Estonia in 1441 and Riga, Latvia in 1510. Martin Luther is credited with bringing the tree into homes in the 16th century. Christmas trees became popular in Britain after Queen Victoria had one in Windsor Castle in the 1840s. The document also provides background on the origins of Santa Claus from St. Nicholas.
This document summarizes Christmas traditions from around the world. It discusses how Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and traditions such as gift giving, nativity scenes, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, caroling, and the origins of popular Christmas symbols. Traditions are described from countries including Turkey, Germany, Holland, Scandinavia, Italy, England, France, Greece, Israel, Mexico, and how Christmas is celebrated in America today.
This document provides information about Christmas traditions and their origins. It discusses that Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated on December 25th. Some important Christmas traditions it outlines include the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, the three wise men, nougat, and roscón de reyes. The Christmas tree represents eternal life. Santa Claus originated from Saint Nicholas who was known for his generosity. The three wise men were visitors who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Nougat eating traditions date back to the 16th century. Roscon de reyes is a toroid-shaped bread eaten on Epiphany in honor of the three gifts brought by the wise men to baby Jesus.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Though its origins are Christian, it is now celebrated in many non-Christian cultures as well. Many Christmas traditions involve Santa Claus, decorating trees, hanging stockings, and exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Popular Christmas foods include turkey, candy canes, gingerbread, and fruitcake. The Christmas season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.
The celebration of Christmas did not begin until about 300 years after the person whose birth is supposedly celebrated on December 25! No one is even sure when he was born but his birthday is celebrated on December 25 on a day that was celebrated by pagans for centuries before he was born!
Santa Claus originated from Christian traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, a 4th century Greek bishop known for gift-giving. Over time, the legend of Santa merged with figures like Father Christmas from England and Sinterklaas from the Netherlands. Santa is now commonly depicted as a portly, joyous man in red with white fur trimmings who brings gifts on Christmas Eve. He lives at the North Pole making toys with elves and travels with reindeer to deliver presents worldwide in a single night. The modern image of Santa was largely popularized in the 19th century through poems, stories, and illustrations.
The document summarizes the history and evolution of Christmas traditions and celebrations. It describes how ancient winter solstice festivals influenced early Christmas traditions in places like Rome and Scandinavia. It then discusses how Christmas was outlawed by Puritans in early America but later reinvented in the 19th century as a family-centered holiday focused on peace, nostalgia, charity and gift-giving. Famous works like Washington Irving's "The Sketchbook" and Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" helped shape modern Christmas traditions.
Saint Nicholas was brought to the New World by early European settlers but struggled to be celebrated in America. He remained popular in Europe where food was left for children. Later, the New York Historical Society promoted Saint Nicholas as the patron saint of the city and society, holding the first Saint Nicholas anniversary dinner. A 1821 book featured pictures of "Sante Claus" arriving by sleigh with reindeer. Artists and writers transformed the image of Saint Nicholas into Santa Claus. Coca-Cola ads in 1931 popularized the modern Santa Claus icon.
Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day both fall on December 26th. Boxing Day originated in Britain and is a holiday for servants and tradespeople, while St. Stephen's Day has religious origins. The Christmas tree became a popular tradition in England after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert displayed a tree in Windsor Castle. Children hang empty stockings by the chimney hoping Santa will fill them with gifts overnight. Londoners gather around a large Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, which is a gift sent annually from Norway to thank Britain for its support during World War II.
Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day both fall on December 26th. The Christmas tree originated in Germany and became popular in England after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert displayed one. Norway gifts a large Christmas tree to London every year as a thank you for Britain's support when Norway was occupied in World War 2.
Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day both fall on December 26th. Boxing Day originated in Britain and is a holiday for servants and tradespeople, while St. Stephen's Day has religious origins. The Christmas tree became a popular tradition in England after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert displayed a tree in Windsor Castle. Children hang empty stockings by the chimney hoping Santa will fill them with gifts overnight. Londoners gather around a large Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, which is a gift sent annually from Norway to thank Britain for its support during World War II.
The document provides a brief history of Christmas traditions and their origins. It traces how winter solstice celebrations in ancient Egypt, Babylon, Rome and Celtic traditions incorporated Christian elements over time. Decorating with greenery, gift giving, feasting and lighting candles can be traced back to pagan winter festivals celebrating the return of longer days. The Christmas tree tradition originated from Germany and the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations in England in the 1600s before it was revived. Carols, cards, crackers and other modern traditions developed through the 19th century.
Over thousands of years, winter solstice celebrations evolved from pagan Roman Saturnalia festivals into Christmas. In the 4th century AD, the Roman Catholic Church designated December 25th as Jesus's birthday, transforming Saturnalia into a Christian holiday. In the Middle Ages, Christmas traditions spread across Europe. In the 1800s, American writers and illustrators popularized the character of Santa Claus, and during the 1920s, advertisers standardized the modern image of Santa. By the 1950s, Christmas had become a major commercial holiday focused on family, gift-giving, decorating, and feasting.
Who is Santa Claus? The Making of an IconBrian Long
This package investigates the history of Santa Claus, starting almost 2000 years ago with Bishop Nicholas in Turkey. It's an ideal resource to use with students in last few days before the Christmas break, or to leave for a supply teacher.
The package includes:
- both text and video versions of the information piece 'Who is Santa Claus?'
- an anticipation guide (before reading/listening activity)
- multiple choice questions
- thought-provoking short answer questions
- word study focusing on challenging words
- word study focusing on adjectives and verbs
- a timeline activity with student samples
- a crossword puzzle for early finishers
This document summarizes several Polish Christmas traditions and customs, including sharing blessed wafers, singing Christmas carols, pastoral visits where priests would bless homes, decorating Christmas trees which was adopted from Germany in the 18th century, and the tradition of Santa Claus visiting children on December 6th or Christmas Eve which originated from the historical figure of Saint Nicholas.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Many Christian traditions involve attending church services, exchanging gifts, decorating homes with holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees. The story of Christmas comes from the gospels of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament which describe the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Over time, Christmas traditions have blended Christian religious observances with secular customs from winter solstice festivals.
This document provides information about Christmas traditions and symbols. It discusses how Christmas is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ on December 25th. One of the major attractions is decorating the Christmas tree with candles, cakes, and ribbons. The document also describes Santa Claus and his role in gift giving, as well as traditions like caroling, gift exchanges, special meals, and making snowmen.
This document discusses different map projections and how they can distort representations of sizes and areas. It notes that the Mercator projection greatly exaggerates the size of landmasses farther from the equator such as Greenland and Europe. While convenient for European colonial powers, this has the effect of making developing countries appear smaller. Alternative projections like Fuller's try to represent the globe's data more accurately when flattened into a two-dimensional map. Overall, the document examines how map projections can reflect inherent biases and influence perceptions of different regions' importance.
The document contains various headings related to classes, units, and projects at a school. Some of the headings mentioned include: Island Time PE Year 7, Health Unit, Truth & Lies, Creative Design in Innovation 8, SoLOE, and the book title "Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World". Several student names are also listed.
Is redevelopment parent update 16th june 2014Gareth Stevens
The document outlines an upcoming parent information session on the redevelopment of Island School. It will include presentations from Karen Thomas on the experience of relocating to temporary sites, an update on the stakeholder engagement process including multiple parent meetings and focus groups, and a discussion of the results from a parent survey on the temporary relocation. Christine Brendle will also discuss the parent focus group. The evening will involve a Q&A session.
School A is located about 6 minutes by car from the island school and has features similar to the island school. It is also located 200 meters from the Shatin Wai MTR station, providing a 4 minute walk to the station and 46 minute MTR ride to Admiralty. School B is also a potential option, located 500 meters from the Tai Wai MTR station with an 8 minute walk, and 53 minute MTR ride to Admiralty. Both schools were considered as potential temporary locations should redevelopment require relocation from the island school.
The document discusses plans to redevelop Island School by temporarily "decanting" students and staff to two separate locations. Several decant models are considered: 1) Splitting phases between the two schools, 2) Splitting houses between the two schools, and 3) Splitting faculties between the two schools. For each model, potential benefits, drawbacks, and considerations are discussed regarding curriculum, resources, guidance, and impact on school identity and ethos. Key questions are also outlined about student and staff wellbeing, effects on enrollment numbers, and managing stakeholder responses.
This document summarizes a parent meeting about redevelopment plans for Island School that requires temporarily relocating ("decanting") the school into two sites. It outlines the goals of informing parents about issues in splitting the school, finding suitable temporary sites, and establishing a parent working group. Three potential decant models are described - splitting by phase, splitting by house, or splitting by faculty. Each model is analyzed considering implications for curriculum, resources, guidance, and school identity. The document invites parents to join a focus group to provide input on decant issues.
The document summarizes a staff meeting to discuss plans for decanting Island School during its redevelopment. It outlines three potential models for splitting the school across temporary sites:
1) A phase split that separates younger and older students.
2) A house split that divides the school into two complete schools based on house system.
3) A faculty split that divides students and teachers by academic departments between two sites.
Concerns are raised about how each model would impact curriculum, resources, guidance, and school identity. Staff are asked to consider the pros, cons, and interesting aspects of each to help determine the best approach. A working group will be formed to represent staff perspectives during the decant
This document discusses several perspectives on the nature of morality:
1. Moral skepticism argues that morality is subjective and there is no objective moral truth. Moral statements are merely expressions of preference.
2. Moral relativism claims that morality is determined by one's society or culture and there are no universal moral values. However, this view faces issues with tolerating intolerant practices.
3. Some philosophers like Kant have argued that morality can be known through reason and deriving universal moral rules and duties. However, critics argue this view faces counterexamples where following one's duty seems to lead to immoral outcomes.
4. Utilitarianism holds that the morally right action is one
This document provides an overview of an emotion lead lecture. It includes definitions of emotion, charts and diagrams about emotions, an EI test with multiple choice questions about handling emotional situations, and discussions about expressing emotions through social media and the relationship between emotion and reason. It also links to a TED talk about robots that relate to humans.
This document discusses several key ideas and debates within the human sciences. It compares the human sciences, history, and natural sciences, noting that while human sciences seek generalizations like the natural sciences, studying humans is more complex due to changing societies and individuals. It also discusses the debate between naturalist and interpretivist approaches, and some of the challenges of achieving certainty in the human sciences, such as the complexity of human behavior and societies. Key ideas discussed in more depth include the distinction between correlation and causation, the concept of path dependence, the nature vs nurture debate, and issues around determinism and free will.
The document discusses several topics related to consciousness and artificial intelligence:
1) It describes Gilbert Ryle's behaviorism theory that mental states are identical to behavior and zombies would exhibit behavior but lack consciousness.
2) Functionalism is mentioned as including an explanation of behaviorism with a connection between mental states and behavior, as well as the input and output of actions.
3) The Turing Test and whether a computer that can do everything humans can should be considered conscious.
4) The Chinese Room Experiment and whether simply following rules demonstrates true understanding.
This document discusses mental health and different perspectives on mental illness. It defines mental health as emotional and psychological well-being that allows one to cope with life demands. Mental illness is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that can sometimes be treated with therapy or medication. The document outlines the stigma around mental illness and different views on topics like the insanity defense in criminal trials. It explores the trial of Billy Milligan, who successfully pleaded insanity due to having multiple personalities. Overall, the document presents information on mental health and examines various perspectives on mental illness.
Subcultures form for reasons like seeking equality, individuality, shared interests, or race. Some subcultures like artists, musicians, actors, and photographers can add value to a community, while others such as drug abusers, shoplifters, gangs, and murderers take away from a community. However, not all subcultures can be neatly categorized as positive or negative.
1. Why do we believe in God and not Father Christmas?
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Few people realize that the origins of a form of Christmas was pagan & celebrated in Europe long before anyone there had heard of Jesus Christ.
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Saturnalia
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In Romantimes, the best-known winter festival was Saturnalia, which was popular throughout Italy. Saturnalia was a time of general relaxation, feasting, merry-making, and a cessation of formal rules. It included the making and giving of small presents (Saturnalia et Sigillaricia), including small dolls for children and candles for adults.[6]During Saturnalia, business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and even public nudity. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[7]Saturnalia honored the god Saturnand began on December 17. The festival gradually lengthened until the late Republican period, when it was seven days (December 17–24). In imperial times, Saturnalia was shortened to five days
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Yule
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PaganScandinaviacelebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period. Yule logswere lit to honor Thor, the god of thunder, with the belief that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. Feasting would continue until the log burned out, which could take as many as twelve days.[4]In pagan Germania(not to be confused with Germany), the equivalent holiday was the mid-winter nightwhich was followed by 12 "wild nights", filled with eating, drinking and partying.[12]
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As Northern Europewas the last part to Christianize, its pagan celebrations had a major influence on Christmas. Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul. In English, the Germanic word Yule is synonymous with Christmas,[13]a usage first recorded in 900.
5. It is also often said that as Hadhrat ‘Isa (Alay Hissalaam) was born at a time when shepherds were abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night, Hadhrat ‘Isa (Alay Hissalaam) could not have been born, later than September. This is because, in Palestine -as in the rest of the Middle East at the time -shepherds stayed with their flocks in the fields only from spring to autumn. They brought their sheep in during the winter to protect them from the cold and rain. It is thus unlikely that the shepherds went to Bethlehem in December. Islamic times
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Early Christian origins
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Saint Nicholas of Myrais the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishopof Myrain Lycia, a province of the ByzantineAnatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowriesso that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In Europe(more precisely the Netherlands, Belgium, Austriaand Germany) he is still portrayed as a bearded bishopin canonical robes. The relicsof St. Nicholas were transported to Bariin southern Italyby some enterprising Italian merchants;[8]a basilicawas constructed in 1087 to house them and the area became a pilgrimagesite for the devout. Saint Nicholas became claimed as a patron saintof many diverse groups, from archersand children to pawnbrokersand prostitutes[9]. He is also the patron saint of both Amsterdamand Moscow.
A medieval fresco depicting St Nicholas from the Boyana Church, near Sofia, Bulgaria
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Saint Nick
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Santa Claus is derived from St Nicholas, fourth century Archbishop of Myra, one of Christendom’s most popular saints. Secretly at night he gave bags of gold to the three daughters of a poor man so they would not have to sell their bodies: this deed eventually gave pawnbrokers their 'three gold balls' guild sign and 'Santa Claus' the reputation as a gift-giver.
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Pagan attributes from the Norse god Woden, who rides through the sky with reindeer and forty-two ghostly huntsmen, blended with the saint. He became one, as it were, with the old Yuletide Father Christmas during the Reformation, and was given a nudge along by Clement C Moore’s famous 1822 poem A Visit from St Nicholas(“Twas the night before Christmas...”). Moore, however, had a gnome-like St Nick “dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot”. The Santa we know is a late-nineteenth century creation of Coca-Cola’s ad department. (Moore, by the way, might not be the poem's author.)
8. Influence of Germanic paganism and folklore
Numerous parallels have been drawn surrounding the figure of Odin, a major god amongst the Germanic Peoplesprior to their Christianization. Since many of these elements are unrelated to Christianity, there are numerous theories regarding the paganorigins of various customs of the holiday stemming from areas where the Germanic peoples were Christianized and retained elements of their indigenous traditions, surviving in various forms into modern depictions of Santa Claus.[11]
Odin was sometimes recorded, at the native Germanicholiday of Yule, as leading a great hunting party through the sky.[12]Two books from Iceland, the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, describe Odinas riding an eight-legged horse named Sleipnirthat could leap great distances, giving rise to comparisons to Santa Claus' reindeer.[13]
Odin's appearance was often similar to that of Saint Nicholas, being depicted as an old, mysterious man with a beard.
An 1886 depiction of the indigenous Germanic godOdinby Georg von Rosen.
9. Image of a man dressed up as Santa Clausholding a sign that reads, "Help the Volunteers of Americasend Santa down 10,000 chimneys" on the sidewalkof a commercial street in Chicago, Illinois. He is standing next to a chimney with another sign on it. He is wearing a maskwith a beard attached. This photonegativetaken by a Chicago Daily Newsphotographerin 1902.
10. In his book Nicholas: The Epic Journey from Saint to Santa Claus, writer Jeremy Seal describes how the commercialization of the Santa Claus legend began in the 1800s. "In the 1820s he began to acquire the recognizable trappings: reindeer, sleigh, bells," said Seal in an interview. "They are simply the actual bearings in the world from which he emerged. At that time, sleighs were how you got about Manhattan."
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“Our jolly old Saint Nicholas reflects our culture to a T, for he is fanciful, exuberant, bountiful, over-weight, and highly commercial. He also mirrors some of our highest ideals: childhood purity and innocence, selfless giving, unfaltering love, justice, and mercy. (What child has ever received a coal for Christmas?) The problem is that, in the process, he has become burdened with some of society's greatest challenges: materialism, corporate greed, and domination by the media. Here, Santa carries more in his baggage than toys alone!”
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13. Detail from First Celebration of the Festival of St. Nicholas by The New-York Historical Society, Broadside by Alexander Anderson, December 6, 1810, commissioned by John Pintard, SY 1864-21, negative number
14. The jolly elf image received a big boost in 1823, from a poem destined to become immensely popular, "A Visit from St. Nicholas”. Now known as "The Night Before Christmas."
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He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
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His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
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The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf....
15. In 1863, political cartoonist began a series of annual drawings in Harper's Weeklywhich were based on the descriptions found in the poem and Washington Irving's work. These drawings established a rotund Santa with flowing beard, fur garments, and an omnipresent clay pipe. As Nast drew Santas until 1886, his work had considerable influence in forming the American Santa Claus. Along with changes in appearance, the saint's name changed to Santa Claus as a natural phonetic alteration from the German Sankt Niklausand Dutch .
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The Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weeklyin 1862; Santa was shown as a small elf-like figure who supported the Union. Nast continued to draw Santa for 30 years and along the way changed the color of his coat from tan to the now traditional red. Though some people believe the Coca- Cola Santa wears red because that is the Coke® color, the red suit comes from Nast's interpretation of St. Nick. The Coca-Cola Company began its Christmas advertising in the 1920s with shopping-related ads in magazines like The Saturday Evening Post. The first Santa ads used a strict-looking Claus, in the vein of Thomas Nast.
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In past centuries, Christmas-related controversy was mainly restricted to concerns of a public focus on secular Christmas themes such as Santa Claus and gift giving rather than what was glorified as the "reason for the season"—the birth of Jesus. A symbolic issue from these past controversies was usage of the term "Xmas", which many allege is a conscious attempt at removing the term "Christ" from Christmas. The abbreviation originated from the use of the Greek letter chi, Χ, as an abbreviation of Christ (Χριστός).
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Santa as a lie told to children
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The editors of Netscape framed one of the common complaints about the Santa Claus myth: "Parents who encourage a belief in Santa are foisting a grand deception on their children, who inevitably will be disappointed and disillusioned.“ In an AP-AOL News poll, 86% of American adults believed in Santa as children, with the age of 8 being the average for learning that he is not real, although 15% still believed after the age of 10. In New Zealand, 85 percent of 4-year-old children and 65 percent of 6-year-olds believe in Santa Claus.
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“The objections to the lie are that it is unethical for parents to lie to children without good cause, and that it discourages healthy skepticism in children. With no greater good at the heart of the lie, it is charged that it is more about the parents than it is about the children. Writer Austin Cline posed the question: "Is it not possible that kids would find at least as much pleasure in knowing that parents are responsible for Christmas, not a supernatural stranger?"
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The Greek Orthodox Church, like the Christian Church, celebrates the birth of Christ on December 25. That date was picked because on the same day in the Mediterranean area they used to celebrate a Persian god, Mithras, who was the god of the Sun. And, because the difference between light and darkness is such an important aspect of the December month, all our Greek traditions and customs are still based on that contrast of darkness and light.
25. According to Church records, Saint Boniface (who, also according to Church records, had felled the Thor's Oak) attempted to Christianise the indigenous Germanic tribes by introducing the notion of trinity by using the cone-shaped evergreen trees because of their triangular appearance.
26. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve (24 December), and then removed the day after twelfth night (6 January); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck. Modern commercialisation of Christmas has resulted in trees being put up much earlier; in shops often as early as late October (in the UK, Selfridge's Christmas department is up by early September, complete with Christmas trees).
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Greeks are increasingly turning to decorating small Christmas boats instead of trees, considered an imported tradition, in the mistaken belief they are reviving an old Greek custom.
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“We are slowly abandoning Christmas trees, which are considered a foreign custom, and turning to ships instead,” said Erika Vallianou, a journalist from the western island of Cephalonia.The Christmas boats are made of paper or wood, decorated with small, colorful lamps and a few, simple ornaments. They are usually placed near the outer door or by the fire and the bow should always point to the interior of the house. With golden objects or coins placed in it, the ship symbolizes a full load of riches reaching one’s home. And the Christmas boat is making inroads into mainland Greece.
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Syncretismconsists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term may refer to attempts to merge and analogize several originally discretetraditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, and thus assert an underlying unity allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.
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Syncretism also occurs commonly in literature, music, the representational arts and other expressions of culture. (Compare the concept of eclecticism.) Syncretism may occur in architecture as well. There also exist syncretic politics, although in political classification the term has a somewhat different meaning.
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The Orisha:
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Santeria includes the worship of the Orisha--literally "head guardians," and religious beliefs of the Yoruba and Bantu people in Southern Nigeria, Senegal and Guinea Coast. These are combined with elements of Roman Catholicism.
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Arriving as slaves In the Caribbean, Santerians preserved the elements of their religion by equating each Orisha of their traditional religions with a corresponding Christian Saint. Many traditions within the religion recognize different equivalencies. One common example includes:
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Influence of Catholicism
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The Roman Catholic element in Santeria is most obvious in the way Orishas are associated with Catholic Saints such as:
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Saint Barbara [Shangó], who embodies justice and strength, and is associated with lightning and fire
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Our Lady of Charity [Ochún] -the Yoruba goddess of the river, associated with water, yellow, sweets, money, and love
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Saint Lazarus [Babalú-Ayé] -who is associated with the sick
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Santeria incorporates elements of several faiths and so is what's called a 'syncretic' religion. It has grown beyond its Yoruba and Catholic origins to become a religion in its own right, and a powerful symbol of the religious creativity of Afro-Cuban culture.
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The centre of the religion is Cuba, but it has spread to the USA and other nearby countries, particularly after the Cuban revolution in 1959.
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For a long time Santeria was a secretive underground religion, but it's becoming increasingly visible in the Americas:
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Once dismissed as a ghetto religion practiced only by the Caribbean poor and uneducated, Santeria has a growing following among middle- class professionals, including white, black and Asian Americans.
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There are police officers in New York who pray to Obatala, the father of all deities, or orishas, before they slip on their gun belts.
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There are lawyers and professors, civil servants and musicians whose homes are filled with altars laden with flowers, rum, cake and cigars to keep the gods happy and helpful. Many dress in white to symbolize purity.