Category: Childhood
Easter Witches in Sweden
Most Christian holidays have pagan roots and traditions, and Easter is no exception. In Sweden, it is said that this is the time of year that witches mounted their broomsticks and flew off to Blockulla – the mystical meadow where witches gathered to dance with the devil.
This piece of folklore is commemorated in Sweden [...] Read More »
Culture Notes - Sept 30 ‘07
Hollywood Fails to Anticipate Afghan Views on Dishonor in Filming of Kite Runner. The movie version of the excellent and hugely popular novel by Khaled Hosseini was filmed with an Afghan cast. Some of the actors, including the boy who plays the lead role, didn’t completely understand some of the plot elements before [...] Read More »
The Tooth Fairy is a Mouse in France and a Magpie in Korea
In American culture, the tooth fairy visits whenever a child looses a baby tooth. Children put the tooth under their pillow when they go to bed at night, and wake up in the morning to find that the tooth has been replaced by some money! Sometimes the tooth is put in a decorated [...] Read More »
Lucyfest: Santa Lucia’s Festival
On December 13th, one of the shortest, darkest days of winter, Sweden celebrates Lucyfest, in honor of Saint Lucia, the Queen of Lights, in a festival that also has roots in Italy, Germany and Norway. Traditionally, each village had its own Santa Lucia: a young woman, dressed in a white gown, wearing a red [...] Read More »
Celebrating Birthdays in Chinese Culture
In traditional Chinese cultures, age is based on the Chinese Lunar New Year. Babies are said to be one year old when they are born, and they turn two as soon as they enter the New Year – regardless of how many months ago they were actually born.
Not all birthdays are important in traditional [...] Read More »
St. Nicholas Day: Open Presents on December 6!
December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day, celebrated with various traditions in many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. In Holland and the Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium, the morning of December 6 is the day that children receive presents, rather than Christmas Eve [...] Read More »
Shichi-Go-San Matsuri (“Seven-Five-Three Festival”)
On November 15 is Shichi-go-san in Japan – a day that is a rite of passage for young children, focused on celebrating their good health and longevity. Shichi-go-san literally translates as “Seven-Five-Three,” and it includes traditions and celebrations for boys aged three and five, and for girls aged three and seven. In Japanese [...] Read More »
Naming a Hindu Baby
In Hindu traditions, the naming of a baby is one of the 'samskaras,' the rituals or traditions that devout Hindu follow throughout their life. The ritual of naming a child is called the 'namkaran' -- 'nama' means name, and 'karan' means 'to make.'
This ritual is very important because the child's name determines its identity. By [...] Read More »
