Fo most of us in Western culture, celebrating Christmas means recognizing the biggest holiday of the year. Stores, neighborhood streets and televisions are flooded with Christmas trees and images of Santa Claus. But who fills the holiday stockings in Chinese culture? Well, Dun Che Lao Ren does!
Despite Chinese New Year being the largest Chinese winter celebration, more Chinese Christian families are celebrating Christmas. Adorning their "trees of light" with paper chains, flowers and lanterns, their homes are also decorated with paper lanterns.
Children anxiously wait for "Old Man Christmas," Dun Che Lao Ren, to fill their muslin stockings full of surprises. And what types of gifts to people give and receive during this celestial celebration? Children recieve toys and clothes, the typical of any Christmas celebration. Red envelopes are customary gifts with lucky money, also used to prepare for Chinese New Year.
Part of a Chinese Christmas celebration also involves preparing for Chinese New Year. Bowls of oranges and tangerines will be placed displayed for wealth and good fortune. Additionally, ancestors will be honored with portraits hung in their families home.
So with the holiday season in full swing around us, we cannot forget the beauty and diveristy of other cultures. Holidays are the perfect time to celebrate the ones you loved, the years past and to be surrounded by those you care about most.
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1 comment:
Thank you for this enlightening description of Christmas in China. It's hard to find information on this topic.
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