Category: Culture Articles

Good Friday is a holy day, observed by the Christians. It is celebrated on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Good Friday is commemorated to venerate Christ s crucifixion at Cavalry. On this pious day special prayers are offered, and the priest also reads the Gospel accounts from the events related to the Crucifixion.

On this day people recollect the hard truth of Christ s crucifixion. The name Good Friday may be derived from the phrase God be with ye . It is believed that the omniscient would dispel the sin and bring piety to earth.

The date of the first Good Friday would never be known. A possible date is 3rd April AD to 33. The Gospels indicate that He died on the afternoon of 15 Nisan. But, there is no account of the particular year.

On the Good Friday Jesus was arrested, and was handed over to the Roman soldiers. He was severely beaten and a crown of long thorns was thrust upon his head. Later, after prolonged torture, Jesus was asked to carry his own cross to the distant Skull Hill. There he, with two other criminals was crucified mercilessly.

According to the Bible, on Good Friday, there were remarkable changes at every passing hour.

• Jesus was nailed to the cross at the third hour of the day
• Darkness covered the land at the sixth hour of the day
• As the darkness left at the ninth hour of the day, the Lord died

Jesus died on the Preparation Day, which is the day before Sabbath. The Christians believe that Jesus had to sacrifice His life in order to pay for our sins.

Good Friday according To The Roman Catholic Church

To the Roman Catholics, Good Friday stands as the Fast Day . On this day, the Roman Catholics only take a single meal or couple of short meals. The archbishops go through a series of readings and meditations. Gospels are often read with a rare musicality to become a beautiful chant. In the traditional Latin liturgy, the priest reads the Gospels facing the Altar. The Cross-is placed at the front, so that the people can pay their respect to it. In some countries like Malta, Italy and Spain, processions are organized with various statues representing the Passion of Christ.

Good Friday in different countries

In Israel, which is Jesus birthplace, the day is known as the Big Day . In Czech Republic, Slovakia, Siberia, Greece, Bulgaria, the day is called Great Friday .
In Latin America and Portugal the day is called Holy Friday . Moreover people of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland call it a Long Friday . Interestingly, the Anglo Saxons too called it the Long Day , since they used to observe a long fast on Good Fridays.

Good Friday in the Christian countries

In many Christian countries like Brazil, Chile and Germany, Good Friday is a Federal or public holiday. In United States Good Friday is not a Federal holiday but a state holiday. Banks, business sectors and schools, governed by the Federal government are not allowed to close. In South Africa all the business sectors, private offices and schools are closed. Buying and selling alcohol is strictly prohibited. In many English-speaking countries hot cross burns are eaten.

In Malta and Philippines

In Malta the commemorations reach their height at Good Friday, as the people organize processions and celebrates the passions of Jesus. Celebrations take place in different places around Malta and Gozo. Moreover, in Birgu, Luga, Mosta, Naxxas, and Paola, people follow the same rituals to venerate Christ.

In the Catholic Philippines, the Passion play is called Sinakulo. On this pious day, no church bell is heard and no Mass is organized. The devotees sometimes have themselves nailed to crosses, expressing penance. On this day, nobody goes to work. People keep this faithful disposition intact for a few more days, and also celebrate the Easter Sunday which follows.

The contemporary taste of Good Friday

In the contemporary age, Good Friday along with Christmas is celebrated with an insoluble reverence. In countries like India, and UK it is observed as a national holiday. Many Christians fast, in order to honor Christ sacrifice. In the churches, pray around 3:00 pm, the hour, when Christ died. Many churches observe the Stations of the Cross and engage themselves in Passion plays and Dramatic readings. During the mourning hour, the pictures and statues are covered.

Thus, the customs and rituals of Good Friday are almost the same in different countries, but the fundamental essence remains the same. It is the soft recollections of Christ sacrificial death to redeem mankind.

It would be quite interesting to talk about the Mexican Independence Day. Mexico borders the south western part of the United States. It is the largest country in the Western Hemisphere. The capital of Mexico is Mexico City. The natural description of the land would be something very diverse. Deserts, mountains, rain forests and beaches surround the Mexican terrain.

The population of Mexico is basically the mixture of Indian and Spanish. There is no indigenous race as such; the blend between Indians and Spanish are predominant. They have successfully integrated into the native culture of Mexico.

The History Behind The Mexican Independence

Towards the end of the Eighteenth century, Mexico faced a remarkable shift in social milieu. During this period, the middle and the upper class of Mexico began to question the long established norms of society. They started demanding for freedom of speech and a representative government. They too fought against the ceaseless power of the church. They sought to reject the values of the past and demanded complete independence from the Spanish colonizers.

Father Hidalgo supported the Mexican people in their struggle for independence. On 15th September, he called the countrymen to be gathered at a particular place and with his fiery words inspired them to fight.

The battle between the followers of Hidalgo and the Spanish force took place at Guanajuato. It was here, when Father Hidalgo was captured and executed. Ultimately the Mexicans did manage to secure independence.

The Mexican Independence Day is celebrated across the country with a great pomp and feast. The celebrations begin on 15th September, which is the eve of independence. On this day, people gather at the Zocalos (The meeting place). At eleven o clock, the countrymen wait for the President to come and wish them Happy Independence . The President comes to the balcony and rings the celebrated Liberty bell , which Father Hidalgo once rang in order to call people. The President addresses the countrymen by shouting Viva Mexico , Viva Independencia , and the crowd imitates the same, greeting the president back.

The Celebrations On The Mexican Independence Day

All major roads of the country get richly decked with flags of red, white and green colors. Green symbolizes peace and red symbolizes union. These colors are also used to decorate the streets during the Independence Day Fiesta . People come from different corners to sell various objects, such as, confetti, whistles, horns, toys, colors and food items.

The countrymen celebrate the day by various colorful practices as racing, bull fighting, horseback riding and so on. The three colors of the Mexican flag (Red, White and Green) are very important in the celebration. Every year, on 16th September, the Mexicans recall the valuable speeches of Father Hidalgo. On the night of 15th September, as the president completes addressing the crowd, he rings the bell, waves the flag and the National Anthem is sung. There can also be seen various performances by the Mexican students and rock stars.

The history behind the Mexican Independence Day is thus a burning example of patriotism , bravery and sacrifice .

“Remember, man, that you are dust
And unto dust you shall return.”
(Latin: Memento homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.)

Ash Wednesday is officially known as the day of Ashes . Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and comes after Shrove Tuesday or the last day of the Carnival season, Mardi Gras. According to the Western Calendar, it occurs forty days before Good Friday, which inevitably always is a Wednesday. It actually occurs 46 days before Easter but Lent is considered 40 days long, as Sundays are not counted among the days of Lent. The date varies from year to year depending on the date of Easter.

The time of Lent is a period to purge off your sins, a time to forsake sinful activities and habits. This purification process is commenced with Ash Wednesday.

When reading about the history of Ash Wednesday, the Bible does not preach or condemn Ash Wednesday. Most Catholics, orthodox denominations and a few Protestant denominations observe this procedure. This process gives you a chance to repent for your sins and to identify yourself as a Christian. But remember that not the ritual but the truth of your heart can earn you blessings from God.

The Ritual of Ashes

The celebrating priest or minister blesses the worshipper with ash at Masses and Services on this day. The priest marks the forehead of the worshippers with black ash in the shape of a cross. Traditionally the worshipper retains this mark till sundown. Even a non-clergyman or a layperson can be the minister of ashes in many Christian churches.

The history of Ash Wednesday in the Roman Catholic Church is observed by abstinence from meat, fasting and repentance. Catholics between the age of 18 and 59 are allowed to consume only one full meal each day. This is the day to contemplate on transgressions to save you from the fire of the hell. The Anglican Book Of Common Prayers also delegates Ash Wednesday as a day of fasting.

Why The Forehead Is Marked With A Cross?

As per the Bible, a mark on a person s forehead indicates his ownership. The mark of cross on the forehead is a symbol of the person s belonging to Jesus Christ, who died on a cross.

The History of Ash

The ashes used to mark the forehead of the worshipper are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year s Palm Sunday celebrations and then they are mixed with olive oil. The story behind the use of ashes from the previous year s Palm Sunday goes like, when Jesus entered Jerusalem people rejoiced his arrival by waving palm fronds without realizing that he has come to die for their sins. The use of palms from previous year s Palm Sunday is aide memoir of Jesus death for our sins.

Ash is the biblical symbol of mourning and penance. In the times of the Bible, one has to fast, wear sackcloth, sit in dust and ashes and put dust and ashes on one s head. Today s Ash Wednesday carries the vestiges of the ritual of fasting and marking one s forehead with ash as a symbol of penance for one s sin.

Though not an obligation, the history of Ash Wednesday teaches followers that it’s the day to cleanse your mind and soul of sins at the feet of God.

Mexican Flag Day also known as “El Dia de la Bandera” is celebrated on February 24th,by Mexicans across the country. This day is commemorated as a unique holiday in admiration of traditional Mexican heritage. The Mexican Americans on this day pay homage to the flag of their native ancestral country- Mexico.

Every year the red, white and green Mexican flag is hoisted up on the Cerro de la Bandera (Flag Hill) in Buena Vista on Mexican Flag Day. A race to the summit is held, which is open to anyone who has the spirit to participate. In the evening, people have merriments in Plaza Mijares, the main square of San Jos del Cabo. Special TV and radio programs are also broadcasted on this occasion, in order to propagate the history behind the day.

A Brief Background

Public festivities started on Mexican Flag Day since February 24th, 1937 near the monument of General don Vicente Guerrero, the first Mexican military general to swear to the flag.

Mexico was formerly ruled by the Aztecs – one of the tribes that settled in the area. However, the country was a Spanish colony from 1521 to 1821 until the war for independence was won.

The Mexican Flag

When you look at the Mexican flag, you wonder what the colors in the flag stand for. The Mexican Flag has three colors green, white, and red and they stand for the following:

• Green is the symbol of hope and victory.
• White stands for the purity of our ideals.
• Red represents the blood of the national heroes shed for their motherland.

In addition to these bands of color, the flag also has an emblem. The emblem in the Mexican flag has a defining story based on a legend which tells, how the Mexicans traveled from Aztl n (now Nayarit) in search of the sign that Huitzilopochtli had narrated them, and that they would find it in the place where they should establish their empire.

The sign had an eagle on top of a Nopal cactus devouring a serpent. It was ultimately found in a small island in the heart of a lake. They settled there and founded the city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City.

The design of the Mexico Flag has changed over time, so has the significance and symbolism behind the three colors of the flag. Earlier, the green vertical stripe of the Mexican flag projected the independence of Mexico. Now, positioned to the far left of the Mexican flag it stands as symbol of hope for the future of Mexico. It is customary for Mexican to have foods rich in green coloring such as jalapenos on Mexico Flag Day.

The white stripe of the Mexican flag, which holds the Coat of Arms represents the beginning of the nation’s capital, Mexico City. It also represents the unity of the Mexican people and purity of their culture.

Lastly, the red vertical stripe represents the commitment to religion on which many Mexican citizens faithfully practice.

The Flag Day is a national celebration and a prime example of unrestrained Mexican chauvinism that high commendable. Mexican Flag Day is a day of unity, respect for national heroes and a hope for the better future for all Mexicans.

Boxing Day is a listed public holiday in the United Kingdom as well as in some Commonwealth nations like Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Boxing Day is observed on December 26, a day after Christmas Day celebrations.

Origin of Boxing Day

Historically Boxing Day traces its origin in the tradition of the medieval times when people would willingly contribute money in the open alms boxes placed in the church backyards on the Christmas Day. On the following day, all the collected money would then be distributed among the poor by the clergy.

With the passage of time, changes took place. Thus, in the 18th century, the feudal Lords and Ladies would reward their serfs and servants with boxed gifts food, fruits, mostly leftovers from their lavish Christmas parties along with clothes and other practical stuff to reward them for all their services.

With social changes, the concept came in for more changes and then Boxing Day became a day when people would give small gifts or monetary tips to those who worked for them throughout the year. Even today, it is customary in many households to give Christmas gift packs and boxes to people who serve them on a routine basis right from the paperboy to the milkmaid, the dustman and even the postal worker. Now, however, gift-exchanges among family members have become pretty common.

James Frazer in his famous work Golden Bough has dealt with the mythical aspect of Boxing Day. Boxing Day, as per Frazer s interpretation, was the day when the Wren (the king of birds) was captured and locked in a box. The bird was then taken to each house in the village so that the villagers could seek blessings for a good harvest.

Celebrations during Boxing Day

Boxing Day, as it is observed these days with lots of food, fun and gifts is a celebration of friendship and love. The day carries forward the spirit of the Christmas celebrations. Though government associations and small businesses keep their shutters down, malls remain open to give full indulgence to the shopaholics.

Well, this is not all about Boxing Day. Many business houses, independent associations and family-units work hard to realize the goal of unconditional love represented by the occasion, collecting food, clothing, money and other gifts so that they can bring back the smile in the faces of others who are less fortunate on Boxing Day.

Setsebun meaning seasonal division is celebrated in Japan on the day before each season begins. However, the term actually refers to the Setsebun in spring, it is popularly called Risshun or sometimes Rissun (the bean throwing festival), and occurs yearly on February 3. Though it is not a national holiday in Japan, many people celebrate it as a ritual for chasing away the evil spirits.

Setsubun marks the Lunar New Year in the Japanese lunar calendar, so it is also considered as (indeed thought so earlier) a sort of New Year’s Eve. Rishun in Japan, is celebrated as the ritual of cleansing away all the disease-bringing evil spirits and demons of the previous year. This special ceremony is called Mamemaki, which involves bean throwing at the evil.

What happens in Mamemaki (bean throwing ritual)?

You would find the celebrations of Setsebun very exciting and full of fun and frolic. Well this festival is celebrated in different ways in different corners of Japan. You would find the kids drawing demon mask on a piece of paper and coloring it.

Then someone is selected to put on the mask, as the other members in the family throw pan-heated soybeans (known as irimame) at that person wearing the mask the Oni (demon or ogre). While throwing the beans the people shout “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” if you translate it that means, “Demons out, Happiness (Fortune) in.” The beans symbolize the sowing of seeds and the impregnation of new life on Earth.

In most of the houses you will see the bean throwing being performed by the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the Chinese zodiac, or head of the household (usually the father). First they pray at the family shrine and then toss the beans out into the yard of the house.

Customs of Setsubun or Rishun

In most of the households a widely observed custom in Setsubun is to eat as many beans as your age and an extra bean for the coming year for good luck, health, and prosperity. It becomes more important if you are a man aged 25 or 42, or a woman aged 19 or 33, since these ages are usually considered unlucky.

Whereas in rural areas, you would find rather a strange custom, which involves first eating grilled sardines and then sticking their heads on sticks outside the front door. This is said to vanquish any demon trying to enter the house.

Celebrations on Setsebun in temple and Shinto shrines

In the Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, celebrations of Setsubun are a bit different. You can see the priests and invited guests throwing roasted soyabeans (some of them covered with silver or gold foil), small envelopes with candies, money, sweets and other prizes for the people.

In some of the bigger Shinto shrine precincts, you may even see the pop singers, Movie stars, geisha, and sumo wrestlers attending the ceremonies, and participating in the proceedings, which are televised nationally. With a large passionate crowd the Setsebun eventually turns wild, and good luck follows their fate.

Canada Day, observed on July 1 annually across Canada is Canada s national holiday.

History

The day celebrates the creation of the Dominion of Canada by the British North America Act on July 1, 1867. Three British territories the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were united into a federation under this Act.

The holiday was established separately by a statute in 1879, and it was originally referred to as the Dominion Day owing to the use of the term Dominion to describe the political union.

Canadians have long been referring Dominion Day as Canada Day , but the official declaration was made on October 27, 1982.

Ceremony And Celebrations

The first anniversary of the formation of the federation was held in a grand ceremony. The Governor General Lord Monck issued a proclamation on June 20, 1868, asking all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1.

There were no major celebrations in the following years. On the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Confederation (in 1917), the new Center Block of the Parliament Buildings was dedicated as a memorial to honor the Fathers of Confederation and the Canadian soldiers, who fought in the First World War in Europe.

The highlights of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1927 was the laying of the cornerstone of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Annual observation of Canada s national day began quite late, in 1958, with a definite format created for the first time. The format provided for an afternoon Trooping the Colors ceremony followed by a sunset ceremony, a mass band concert and fireworks display.

The centenary celebration in 1967 was an extensive official ceremony. With Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II gracing the occasion, the Parliament Hill again featured as the backdrop of the celebrations.

The existing format was changed in 1968; this time multicultural and professional concerts were included as part of the ceremony. The show was telecast nationally. As per this format, several artistic, cultural and sporting activities were held in different parts of the national Capital region for the entire month of July. Similar celebrations were continued until 1975. Celebrations were cancelled in 1976, but were again held in 1977.

1980 saw the introduction of a new ceremonial format, which emphasized the need for local celebrations all across Canada and the Government even acceded to give seed money to sponsor celebrations organized by local communities and volunteer groups.

Similar celebrations were again held in 1981 with the only difference that this year firework displays were added to the celebrations. Firework displays were organized in 15 major cities across the nation.

Canada Day Committees were set up in each province/territory in 1985. The Committees funded by the Government, were to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations in their localities.

According to the Chinese calendar, the Chinese New Year is celebrated on the second new moon following the beginning day of the Winter solstice. For the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year is likely to be on a date between January 21 and February 20.

The New Year season continues for fifteen days. The celebrations are concluded with the colorful Lantern Festival.

Origin of the Festival

It is not clear when the beginning of the year was celebrated before the Qin Dynasty. Different theories suggest the beginning of Chinese New Year in different times. Some consider month 1 during the Xia Dynasty, whereas others take month 11 at the time of the Zhou Dynasty to be the beginning. However, in 104 B.C., Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established the beginning of the year at month 1. The lunisolar Chinese calendar determines the dates of the Chinese New Year.

Celebrations during Chinese New Year

In China, people take weeks off from work and get ready for the New Year celebrations. People thoroughly clean their homes and it is strongly believed that cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the previous year to bring in good luck. Some paint their doors and windows red. People visit friends and relatives, known as new-year visits and wear new clothes.

This is a great time for reunion dinners. The dinner of New Year s Eve includes delicious fish and chicken items. Most of the Northerners serve dumplings as the main dish because they symbolize ancient Chinese gold ingots. The fruit of the Chinese New Year are the popular mandarin oranges.

The color of the season is red as it resembles celebration and it is used predominantly in all the decorations. The married elders distribute red packets to children and juniors. The flowers used during this season are the peach blossoms, chrysanthemum and the narcissus.

Naming a Chinese New Year after an animal

Legend says that in the ancient age, Lord Buddha asked all the animals to come to him on Chinese New Year day. Twelve animals came and a year was named after each of them. It is believed that a person born in a particular animal year would have the personality of that animal.

Lantern Festival

The Chinese New Year celebrations end on the fifteenth day of the month. The lanterns are works of art and are painted with animal, flowers, zodiac signs, birds and scenes from history. The lanterns glow in temples and are also paraded under the full moon.

The most important and longest celebration in the Chinese calendar is the Chinese New Year. The activities of the Chinese New Year symbolize good fortune, prosperity and wealth.

Eid al Fitr begins at the end of the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It marks the Breaking of the Fast at the end of Ramadan, the fasting month. With the ultimate end of fasting, Eid al Fitr is celebrated with great rejoicing among the Muslims. The first Eid al Fitr celebration dates back to AD 624 by the Prophet Muhammed with his companions after the victory at the Battle of Badr.

The marking of the particular day depends on the sighting of the moon which is possible only before the sunset takes place, though many choose to depend only on astronomical calculations. This often leads to the regional differences in denoting the exact date of Eid.

Celebrations on the big day

The dishes served at the banquets are elaborate. Friends and relatives are invited over for the feast. The celebrations depict the happiness after a long month of fasting and hardships. What follows is the fellow feeling among humankind.

When Eid al Fitr begins the people dress in fine clothes and decorate their homes. They visit friends and family and give treats to their children.

Charity and good deeds being an integral part of Islam, the people feed the poor and donate to the mosques.

The worldwide Muslim population of about 1.6 billion celebrates Eid al Fitr on the first day of the month of Shawwal which follows the month of Ramadan. The Muslim celebrations of Eid includes a prayer and a sermon right in the morning, followed by visits made to friends and families, feasting on elaborate meals and exchanging gifts and cards. Prior to the beginning of the Eid prayers, every Muslim must pay Zakat al Fitr, or alms for the month of Ramadan. You can donate any amount of alms but the most basic ones come in the form of 2 kilograms basic foodstuff mainly comprising heat, dates, raisins and barley. These alms are distributed among the local needy Muslims before the start of the prayers.

Eid implies recurring happiness. Eid al Fitr, the first Eid of the year is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing. According to Islam, it is unholy to observe a fast on this day. It is a noted day for forgiving others and bearing no grudge against anyone. Greetings of Eid Mubarak are exchanged among the Muslims on this day.

It is popularly believed that the Koran was revealed at the time of this month. Muslims choose this day for showing their happiness for the strength and opportunities they have received from Allah to keep the long fast during the month of Ramadan.

Eid al Fitr begins with the fulfilling of obligations and resolving of disputes. It is one of the two most vital Islamic celebrations and a time of happiness and goodwill among all people.

Eid Al Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice is celebrated by Muslims all over the world at the end of the Hajj, which is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid-al Adha is the festival when Muslims at the time of Hajj, commemorate the triumphs and trials of Prophet Abraham.

Main Trial of Prophet Abraham

One among the main trials of Abraham was facing Allah s command to kill his only son. Abraham decided to kill his son in obedience to Allah. When Abraham was on the verge of carrying out Allah s orders, Allah let him know that his sacrifice had been fulfilled. Overwhelmed by Abraham s devotion, Allah replaced Abraham s son with a sheep at the last moment. Abraham had proved that his love for Allah was great and he could even sacrifice his life or that of his dear one (son) for submitting to the Almighty.

The Sacrifice of Animals

On Eid Al Adha, Muslims slaughter animals in an attempt to remind themselves the trials of Abraham. The animal slaughtered can be a camel, goat or sheep. However, this activity is often not acceptable to the non-Muslims.

When slaughtering animal, followers of Islam take the name of Allah to remind them that life is sacred. After sacrificing an animal on Eid al-Adha, the meat is given away to the friends, the poor and eaten with relatives and family.

The significance of the act reveals one s willingness to submit things that are close to themselves or are of benefit. It also resembles the giving up of a portion of your bounty to help the needy and to strengthen friendship bonds. Muslims believe that Allah desires only the willing obedience, strength of heart and purity of faith from them.

The Observance

Other than sacrificing an animal, Muslims universally attend the morning prayers at the local mosques on the first Eid Al Adha morning. After praying, the Muslims visit their friends and families amidst exchange of gifts and greetings. The meat from the sacrificed animal is distributed in the holiday or soon thereafter.

The Traditions

Eid ul-Adha witnesses children, men and women dressed in fine clothes. The animal to be sacrificed has to meet the criteria of age as well as a standard quality. There are regular charitable practices in order to ensure that no poor follower of Islam goes without the sacrificial food during these days. The celebration comes to an end with the Day of Mount Arafat.

Date of Eid ul-Adha

The date of Eid ul-Adha in the Gregorian calendar keeps changing, as it is a solar calendar. The Lunar calendar appears to be about 10 days shorter than the solar calendar. According to the Islamic calendar (lunar), Eid Al Adha falls on the same day always.