Celebrations
22 11 2009Hi
This term, our class us doing an inquiry about celebrations. We had to pick 5 celebrations from 3 different continents around the world.
I chose the Chinese New Year, Running of the Bulls,Yom Kippur,St Patrick’s day and one that lots of people haven’t heard of – the Sentosa flowers festival, held on Sentosa island just off the coast of Singapore.
I’m just going to tell you some facts about these celebrations.
Chinese New Year
- Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days.
- The purpose is to celebrate the start of a new lunar year
- Was called the spring festival hundreds of years ago
Foods
- Bamboo shoots – wealth
- Black moss seaweed – wealth
- Dried Bean Curd – happiness (note: fresh tofu is not served because the color white symbolizes death and misfortune in Chinese culture).
- Chicken – happiness and marriage (especially when served with “dragon foods,” such as lobster. Family reunion (if served whole)
- Eggs – fertility
- Egg Rolls – wealth
- Fish served whole – prosperity
- Chinese garlic chives – everlasting, a long life
- Lychee nuts – close family ties
- Noodles – A long life
- Oranges – wealth
- Peanuts – a long life
- Pomelo – abundance, prosperity, having children
- Seeds – lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, etc. – having a large number of children
- Tangerines – luck
Running of the bulls
- Also called the San Fermin
- Officially begins on 7Th of July every year
- Held in Spain, Portugal, some cities in Mexico and southern France
- The run is 825 metres and takes about 3 mins
Yom Kippur
- One of the holiest days for the Jewish people
- During Yom Kippur Jews fast for 25 hours
- Fasting means that no one cannot eat or drink for 25 hours
- Children under the age of 13 and people who are ill do not have to fast
St Patrick’s day
National holiday in Ireland
The first St Patrick’s day was held in New York in 1762
St Patrick was the son of roman parents
He lived in Briton in the late 4Th century
He was kidnapped when he was 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave
He spent several years herding and tending sheep and pigs
St Patrick combined the sun with the Christian cross to make the Celtic cross
One popular custom is to wear something green, it can be anything, a jumper, a skirt a hat or a sock
The shamrock leaf is the most famous symbol
The shamrock leaf brings good luck
Leprechauns are make believe Elves from Ireland
Leprechauns collect pots of gold
Legend has it that if you catch a leprechaun he will lead you to his pot of gold
But if you take your eyes off him he will disappear
Sentosa Flowers festival
When?
24 Jan to 1 Feb
Where?
Imbiah lookout and palawan beach
What?
Giant flower wall
Themed gardens from around the world
Giant sculptures made from recycled materials
Why?
To celebrate the colours of spring
Hope you liked it.
See you
Great research Jacob! I know what I’m doing this weekend – looking for that leprechaun! If I find that pot of gold I’ll share it with the class