Traditions for Christmas in China
Christmas traditions have been traced back to the Mesopotamians, a civilization that had carolers, Yule logs, holiday meals and festivals during their New Year's celebrations, according to Holidays on the Net (see Reference 1). Today people in different countries, including China, have their own traditions for celebrating Christmas.
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Chinese Celebrations
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Christians have traditionally been the only people in China who celebrate Christmas. Many people receive gifts, such as toys and clothing, watch fireworks, hang pictures of ancestors and have holiday meals during the Spring Festival in January, according to the Northpole.com (see Reference 2).
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Trees
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People who celebrate Christmas in China usually put homemade ornaments, made to look like flowers, lanterns or chains, on trees that are known as "trees of light."
Stockings
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Chinese children usually hang up stockings made of muslin. These stockings are filled with candy and gifts, according to Santa's Net (see Reference 3).
Old Christmas Man
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The Chinese version of Santa Clause is Dun Che Lao Ren, which means "Christmas Old Man." In a similar manner to Santa Clause, Dun Che Lao Ren is a jolly man who wears red clothes, carries a bag filled with toys and has reindeer.
Decorations
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Chinese Christians often decorate their homes with paper lanterns and lights during Christmas. Jackie China Kids Corner says that in some parts of China, people send out Christmas cards, decorate public areas with poinsettias, paper chains and nativity scenes and attend church services (see Resource 1).
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Matt MacGillivray
