Category: CULTURES
The Irish Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh ring symbolizes the motto “let love and friendship reign.” Two hands, representing faith, hold a heart. The crown above the heart symbolizes honor.
Single women wear the Claddagh Ring on their right hand, with the heart pointing outward toward the end of her finger. When a woman is engaged, she turns [...] Read More »
Martisor: Celebrate Spring
The first of March is Martisor, a celebration of Spring in Romania, with some similar traditions in Macedonia and Albania, too. On Martisor, people exchange small amulets made of red and white string braided together – often given by men to women. The amulets symbolize the coming spring, joy and good luck in [...] Read More »
Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day is a holiday dedicated to love and romance in many cultures. It is a good day to get engaged, plan a specially romantic date, buy chocolates or flowers for your sweetheart, or simply “give a valentine” to your friends. Many schoolchildren exchange Valentines with their class mates, which can be home-made cards or [...] Read More »
Groundhog Day
February 2 is Groundhog Day in the United States and in Canada. The groundhog, also known as a woodchuck (Marmota monax), is a member of the squirrel family. According to American legend, the local television news and Hollywood, he is also a weatherman.
If he sees his shadow when he emerges from his [...] Read More »
Ashura
Ashura, which falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar, is a recommended day of fasting for Sunni Muslims, and a day of mourning for Shi’ites. The word “ashura” means “tenth” in Arabic. The holiday marks several historical events, including the day that Moses fasted to thank [...] Read More »
Blini (Russian Pancakes)
These are the thin Russian pancakes served at Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week. They are traditionally served with sour cream, jams and honey, but feel free to experiment with fillings that include salmon or caviar! This recipe makes about 20 blini.
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 tablespoon [...] Read More »
Burns Suppers
A Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The suppers, also referred to as Burns Night, are held on or near the poet’s birthday on January 25. The tradition has become popular as a celebration of Scottish heritage.
The basic format for the evening has [...] Read More »
Up-Helly-Aa
Scene from a video posted on YouTube by Gary13579, showing the burning galley at the 2006 Up-Helly-Aa festival:
If you’d like to dress as a Viking, carry a burning torch in a procession through villages and towns, and then throw the torch into a replica of a Viking longship to set it alight before sending it [...] Read More »
Hispanic Wedding Traditions: The Lasso (El lazo)
In many Hispanic cultures, a rope is used to symbolically tie the couple together.
In Guatemala, the couple binds themselves together with a silver rope. Mexican couples use a white rope tied in a figure eight. The rope may also be made of braided orange blossoms, which symbolize fertility and happiness. A double rosary lasso [...] Read More »
Hispanic Wedding Traditions: The Thirteen Gold Coins (Trece monedas de oro)
The tradition of the thirteen gold coins originates in the Roman custom of breaking gold or silver, one half to be kept by the woman and the other half by the man, as a pledge of marriage. Today, the ceremony symbolizes that the groom is placing his trust and confidence in his bride, pledging [...] Read More »
