With my favorite holiday getting so close (Halloween), I would like to talk today about holidays. I won’t get into the religious aspects as that varies depending on religions and beliefs. Instead, I want to talk about holidays in regards to traditions, legends and symbols. You know like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. How did the traditions, legends, and symbols surrounding a holiday come to be? Stay tuned because you are about to find out.
St Patrick’s Day
The holiday that celebrates being irish. People often wear green, drink heavily, and say “Kiss me, I’m Irish.” People often reference leprechauns and make irish potatoes.
How did it begin?
It is said that this holiday began in Ireland in the 17th century. It was created to commemorate the life of Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
Why the color green?
Green-the color of the Shamrock is said to make you invisible to leprechauns. Hence, why people wear green on St Patrick’s Day.
And why Leprechauns?
Leprechauns originated in folklore and were said to work as shoemakers. Where did they hide the money that they made from their job you ask? In a pot at the end of a rainbow of course.
Valentine’s Day
Ah yes, the holiday of love. People give each other candy, roses and teddy bears. Couples often go out for a special dinner and celebrate their relationship. How did these couples fall in love? I blame Cupid.
Where does Cupid come from?
In Greek Mythology, Cupid was formerly known as Eros. He was known to have golden arrows and played with both God’s and mortal’s emotions. In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus (the Goddess of love).
Cupid/Eros is said to have fallen in love with Psyche. Venus (his mother) became jealous. Cupid wanted to marry Psyche with one condition-that she could never see his face. After sometime, she became curious and stole a glance at him. Cupid ran away in anger. After searching all over the world for Eros, she finally found him. This is when Psyche was granted immortality.
New Year’s
You know the time of year where you start writing down goals and plan on hitting the gym again (after you haven’t been there for about 200 days). You watch the ball drop on TV in Times Square. You drink champagne, watch fireworks and hope for a good year to come.
Who came up with New Year’s Resolutions?
It is said that these began with Babylonians about 4,000 years ago as part of a religious festival known as Akitu. Romans also considered New Year’s resolutions to be “a holy rite of passage.” In Roman mythology, Janus (the God of beginnings and transitions) had one face to the future and one to the past.
Halloween
Scary movies, candy and costumes. This is no longer just a holiday but rather a whole season. A season of pumpkin picking, corn mazes and scares.
When did Halloween originate?
Halloween began as the festival of Samhain. This was part of the ancient Celtic religion in Britain (as well as other parts of Europe). They believed that the line between our world and the spiritual world got thinner when the summer ended and fall began. This resulted in them throwing a party.
People dressed as ghosts or demons in order to appease the spirits. They also had a bonfire. This is known as mumming and dates back to the middle ages. These traditions eventually formed into what is modern day Halloween.
This is why a lot of religious groups choose not to celebrate Halloween. They don’t wish to take part in a holiday that originated from appeasing demons. Some of these groups choose to do a Celebration of Harvest instead.
Personally, Halloween is my favorite holiday. I enjoy being scared, pumpkin picking, corn mazes and dressing up. I think it is a fun time of year. I also love the Fall season in general.
Easter
When most people think of Easter (speaking non-religiously of course) they think of of eggs, chicks, and of course bunnies. The Easter Bunny comes to the house to bring baskets of goodies.
Why the Easter Bunny?
The Easter Bunny symbol became prominent fairly recently- in the 19th Century. It is believed that bunnies are a symbol of new life. It all started with German Immigration to Pennsylvania. It is said that the Germans brought a hare with them named Osterhase or Oschter Haws-which represented new life. This hare could lay colored eggs in a nest. Hence dying the eggs different colors for Easter.
Christmas
Also known as the most wonderful time of the year. This isn’t just a holiday-it’s a season.There are Christmas movies, music, themed treats and of course, lights. Who’s the biggest legend when it comes to Christmas (not including religious beliefs of course)? Santa Claus.
Where did Santa Claus originate from?
We have all heard of him. I would even say that a large number of Christmas movies and songs contain him in some way or another. He is based off a monk named St. Nicholas. This monk was born sometime around 280 AD in what is now known as Turkey. St. Nicholas was a very kind man that helped the poor. He surprised those in need with secret gifts.
Thanksgiving
Endless amounts of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Giving thanks with your family.
Where did it begin?
This holiday actually began as a harvest festival. In 1621, 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims celebrated the first thanksgiving after their harvest. It lasted three days! People were accustomed to celebrating what’s known as “thanksgivings” or days of prayer. Thanksgiving didn’t become a federal holiday until 1863.
What’s your favorite holiday? Let me know in the comments below! If you would like more information on the history of any of these holidays please use my reference links below.
Links
https://www.cbsnews.com/…/st-patricks-day-history-of-lepre…/
https://www.history.com/news/who-is-cupid
https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-popular-new-year-tradi…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15169373
https://time.com/3767518/easter-bunny-origins-history/
https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/santa-claus
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)
Topics We Often Think About 