Christmas is just around the corner and at ALOS we are decking ourselves out in red and tinsel to welcome it. What many consider the loveliest celebration of the year is lived out in very different ways around the world. Let us look at a few curiosities through language.
Some thoroughly festive words help us discover the customs and traditions of each place, which language endows with curious and distinctive meanings.
Mistletoe (English)
- Translation: Mistletoe
- Meaning: A plant associated with the tradition of kissing beneath it as a symbol of love and good luck.
- Did you know? In Celtic folklore, mistletoe was considered sacred and a sign of peace. The kissing tradition originated in England.
The Christmas tree: Weihnachtsbaum (German)
- Translation: Christmas tree
- Meaning: The traditional tree decorated with lights, baubles and ornaments.
- Did you know? Germany is considered the birthplace of the modern Christmas tree. The custom of decorating it began in the sixteenth century.
Noel (French)
- Translation: Christmas
- Meaning: It is used to refer both to the festivity itself and as a greeting (“Joyeux Noël”).
- Did you know? It comes from the Latin “natalis”, meaning birth. In France, Noel can also be a first name.
Yule (English, of Scandinavian origin)
- Translation: Yuletide or Christmas season, although it is not a literal translation.
- Meaning: An old term referring to Germanic and Scandinavian winter celebrations. It runs from 21 December to 1 January.
- Did you know? Many modern Christmas traditions, such as the Yule log, come from these ancient pagan celebrations linked to the winter solstice.
Adventskranz (German)
- Translation: Advent wreath
- Meaning: A circular arrangement with four candles that are lit on each Sunday before Christmas.
- Did you know? This tradition began in Hamburg in the nineteenth century as a way of counting down the days to Christmas.
All about the feasting: Reveillon (French)
- Translation: New Year’s Eve dinner
- Meaning: A lavish late-night meal held on 31 December.
- Did you know? The word “reveillon” comes from “reveil”, meaning waking, symbolising the vigil before the year ends.
Caroling (English)
- Translation: Christmas carols
- Meaning: The tradition of singing Christmas songs door to door or when family and friends get together.
- Did you know? The practice dates back to medieval times, when carols included not only religious songs but festive dances too.
Christkind (German)
- Translation: The Christ Child, the child who brings the presents.
- Meaning: A Christmas figure who brings gifts in many German-speaking countries and countries with German traditions. It is the equivalent of Santa Claus or the Three Kings.
- Did you know? In cities such as Nuremberg, a young woman is chosen each year to represent the Christkind at the Christmas markets.
Christmas as it is lived around the world
As you can see, language gives us a glimpse of the rich tradition, cultural differences and distinctive features surrounding this time of year, whether in its religious character or its pagan sense. Either way, at ALOS we cannot wait to bring out the turron, put on our most original Christmas jumpers and enjoy the season with our families.