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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 »

Weddings in Mexico and other Latino cultures are extremely festive, and often very large affairs with many attendants. Engagements can last a long time, and, in some areas, the bride receives a “ring of promise,” sometimes up to a year before the actual engagement ring. A wedding party may include “sponsors,” who are often godparents of [...] Read More »

The Muslim New Year falls on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic Calendar. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram migrates throughout the seasons. In 2007, it is on January 20th. Although there is no religious significance attached [...] Read More »

Millions of people gather in India to celebrate the Hindu Kumbh festivals, or melas, during their 12-year cycle. The celebrations, especially the Maha Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh, are the largest religious gatherings of people in the world. The mid-point in the cycle is being celebrated in 2007 with the Ardh Kumbh, or Half [...] Read More »

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put the tooth under their pillow when they go to bed at night, and wake up in the morning to find that the tooth has been replaced by some money!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 »

Don’t Forget to Leave Out Some Food for the Camels! January 6th is the twelfth day after Christmas, celebrated as Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings in many countries with strong Christian traditions, such as Germany, Austria, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Argentina. It commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men, or [...] Read More »

There are a lot of different good luck charms to help in the New Year. Here are some that are widely available as chocolate or marzipan figures in Germany. Let us know if there are other good luck symbols in your culture! Four-leaved clovers Lucky pigs – a symbol of fertility for the Germanic tribes The lady bug, [...] Read More »

For Eid-Ul-Adha, the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, families purchase a sacrificial goat or other animal, if they can afford to do so, and then share the feast with their family and friends, and with those who are less fortunate. This photo is part of a post from an Islamabad blogger, who describes her trip [...] Read More »

Eid-Ul-Adha is a three-day Muslim holiday and celebration. It begins on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and falls at the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The Eid-Ul-Adha celebrations start with attendance at the Eid Prayer and sermon in the morning. [...] Read More »

During the Christmas season, families bring home small evergreen trees and decorate them with ornaments and lights.  Presents are placed under the tree, and, on Christmas, the families gather around the tree to open presents.  The origins of the Christmas tree tradition are another example of the intermingling of pagan traditions with religious holidays. One of [...] Read More »