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what is Epiphany?

Epiphany is known as the three kings day it is a festival which starts on the 6th of January. Epiphany is a Christian feast and it is a special day on the Christmas story. It is also known as the wise men who visited baby JESUS after he was born.

What do people do on Epiphany?

Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries in most countries and children receive small gifts in there shoes in honour of the wise men's gift to baby JESUS. The holiday also involves  water as a reflection of JESUS' baptism.

What do people wear for Epiphany?

Epiphany is close to Christmas season so people wear the colour white and gold.

Fact:

Epiphany is a public holiday in countries such as Austria, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, ETHIOPIA [but on different date that they celebrate it on],parts of Germany, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and Uruguay.

BY: Coralia.Ferrari

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                              Chinese New Year

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                              Chinese New Year

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Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a New Year according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

The festival signals the end of winter and the beginning of the spring, and the start of a new year. It is the most important holiday in China. Celebrations are observed in China and also in East Asian countries.

On this festival people put up decorations, eat reunion dinners with families on New Year's Eve, do firecrackers and fireworks, give red envelopes and other gifts, and watch lion and dragon dances.

They eat special food that symbolize good luck such as:

Fish — an Increase in Prosperity.

Chinese Dumplings — Wealth.

Spring Rolls — Wealth.

Glutinous Rice Cake — a Higher Income or Position.

Sweet Rice Balls — Family Togetherness.

Longevity Noodles — Happiness and Longevity.

Chinese usually wear red or other brightly-colored clothes on New Year's Day, to go with the festive and upbeat mood. Red is China's good luck color, believed to scare away spirits of bad fortune. Some families wear traditional Chinese clothing like qipao or Tangzhuang.

From head to toe, all clothes and accessories worn on New Year's Day should be brand-new. Some families still wear traditional Chinese clothing like qipao, but many families now wear regular, Western-style clothing like dresses, skirts, pants, and shirts on Chinese New Year's Day.

The five-clawed dragon is the emperor's sacred symbol of imperial power, representing its dignity. Even though dragons are mythological animals, they are symbols of the natural world, they are the rulers of the seas and the skies. Dragons are bringers of wealth and good fortune so they are actually the epitome of what Chinese New Year is all about, a celebration of luck and good fortune for the coming year. The dragon symbol is the sign of authority and is worn on robes of the Imperial family and nobility.

Throughout the ages, the Chinese have used lanterns not only as sources of light or simple paper decoration, but they symbolize vitality, social status and good luck. Around the world, the round, red lantern remains one of the most easily recognized trademarks of Chinese culture.

By Christina E'2

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What it is about?

Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. Falling in the month of Tishrei (September or October in the Gregorian calendar), it marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year.

What do people do on this festival?

Jews mark the day of Yom Kippur by fasting for 25 hours. They also wear white and they don't wear make-up, perfume, or leather shoes. The most important part of Yom Kippur is the time spent in the synagogue. Even Jews who do not go to the synagogue very much will go on Yom Kippur. The day is spent in continuous prayer.

Do they eat something special?

Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, and is a day (usually upward of 24 hours) for fasting, with no food or drink. If you do keep the fast (even most of it), what you choose to eat afterward is important. The last thing you want is a bad stomachache, or worse.

There are two meals associated with Yom Kippur: the pre-fast meal and the break-fast meal (obviously, for the duration of the fasting holiday, no food or drink is allowed). The pre-fast meal is known as seudah ha-mafaseket (literally, “meal of separation” or “concluding meal”).

Do they wear something special?

Many Jews wear white clothing during Yom Kippur (married men often wear a white robe called a kittle) and there are several reasons for this. One is to be like the angels, as during Yom Kippur the object is to atone and become pure, lighter and more transparent. Every Jew is buried in the same simple plane white robe, and wearing white is a reminder of mortality.

Interesting facts about Yom Kippur

The Yom Kippur War occurred when Syria and Egypt attacked Israel on Yom Kippur hoping that their army would be distracted by the holiday.

According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person's fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year.

Children and pregnant women are not permitted to fast.

The common greeting on this holiday is "have an easy fast".

Major League Baseball pitcher Sandy Koufax was Jewish. He decided not to pitch in game 1 of the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur. The next major Jewish holiday after Yom Kippur is called Sukkot. Yom Kippur is the second of the High Holy Days after Rosh Hashanah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFNHtqrEGPw&t=231s

Jerry/Big J E’1

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Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and it is celebrated all over the world by Christians every year. The reason for this celebration is to remember the crucifixion of Jesus Crist and it is the day that leads to the Resurrection of Jesus. Although it is a bit strange to call it  Good Friday, it probably took this name because in the old times good meant holy. Good Friday is celebrated differently in different parts of the world, for example in Greece we have the Epitaph, decorated with flowers that go around churches followed by the Christians holding lit candles and singing religious hymns.  In Greece Christians fast and they eat specially cooked meals without oil or they eat fish. In other countries, they just go to church, and then they follow different types of ceremonies, such as carrying a heavy cross around instead of the epitaph.

Stamatis E'1

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Nirvana Day is an annual Buddhist  festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80. Nirvana is believed to be the end of the cycle of death and  rebirth. Buddhism teaches that Nirvana is reached when all want and suffering is gone.
On this festival people celebrate by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries. There is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes.
Four Noble Truths:
*Life involves suffering
*Suffering is due to having desires
*Suffering can be ended by overcoming desires
*The way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path.

By Stefania

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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a month of fasting and charity. In Ramadan people eat breakfast before the sun rises (Suhur) and after that they musn't drink anything until sunset (Fard).When it's sunset they have a special meal to break the fast, which is called Iftar. Families gather together during Iftar.
FUN FACTS
The new moon determines the start of Ramadan and there is a special committee which studies the moon and decides when Ramadan will start.
The beginning of Ramadan can move as many as 11 or 12 days each year.

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Is a holy day of prayer and fasting.It falls on the first day of Lent(6 weeks before Easter).People plays ashes on their foreheads.The ashes simbolize both death and repentance.Christians are mourning for their sins.They go to church and they don’t eat animal products.

By ody

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Obon or just Bon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors.People during the Obon festival are eating konomiyaki,takoyaki and yakitori.The sweets that people are eating are uji-kintoki and dango. People are wearing yukatas during the festival.Obon Festival also known as bon festival is one Of the most important customs in Japan that was introduced by the Buddhists to the Japanese.Obon is a holiday  in mid-July or August and usually lasts a week.It brings families together and reunites them with the dead!

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Obon or just Bon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors.People during the Obon festival are eating konomiyaki,takoyaki and yakitori.The sweets that people are eating are uji-kintoki and dango. People are wearing yukatas during the festival.Obon Festival also known as bon festival is one Of the most important customs in Japan that was introduced by the Buddhists to the Japanese.Obon is a holiday  in mid-July or August and usually lasts a week.It brings families together and reunites them with the dead!

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Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chavithi, is an auspicious Hindu festival which is celebrated for 10 days every year. The festival is celebrated in the Bhadra month which generally falls in mid-August to September. It marks the birthday of the beloved elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, the God of wealth, sciences, knowledge, wisdom and prosperity. Lord Ganesh is known by 108 different names like Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vighnaharta among others.

It is believed that devotees who pray to Ganesha are able to fulfil their wishes and desires, they are set free of sins and it leads them on the path of knowledge and wisdom.

There are four main rituals which are performed during the 10-day long festival which are named as Pranapratishhtha, Shhodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Ganpati Visarjan.

Weeks before the festival actually begins artisans start preparing clay idols of Ganesha in different poses and sizes.

The Ganesha idols are installed in beautifully decorated 'pandal' at homes, temples or localities. The statue is also decorated with flowers, garlands and lights. A ritual called Pranapratishhtha is observed where a priest chants mantra to invoke life in the diety.

Prayers are then offered to Ganesha's idol in 16 different ways. This ritual is called Shhodashopachara.

People celebrate by singing or playing religious songs, dancing to drum beats and by lighting up fireworks-- all of which add to the festive mood.

The Uttarpuja ritual is then performed which is about bidding farewell to Ganesha with deep respect. This is followed by Ganpati Visarjan, a ceremony wherein the statue is now immersed in water. While carrying the statue to the sea and while immersing it, people generally chant in the Marathi language 'Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya' which means 'Goodbye Lord, please come back next year'.

While some devotees celebrate this festival at home, others pay their visit to Lord Ganesha at public pandals. People offer their due respect, prayers and offerings to Ganesha. Dishes like Lord Ganesha's favourite Modak, Pooran Poli, and Karanji are prepared for friends, family and visitors.

People were their traditional costumes, sarees and Kalamkari blouse or Kalambkari dresses.

by: Melina E1

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Janmashtami was on Monday 30 of August Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna this festival celebrates Hinduism religion  ( in India )The building up of the human pyramid to break the Dahi Hands

by: Angelina

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The Abu El Haggag Moulid is one such festival that is observed every year, two weeks before the commencement of Ramadan. Yussef Abu el-Haggag, the patron sheikh was born in Damascus in 1150 AD, moved to Mecca when he was around forty and finally settled in Luxor. In the Luxor city he established a spiritual retreat before his death around 1245 AD. This mosque dedicated to the sheikh in the thirteenth century is located within the site of the historical Temple of Luxor.

This street festival of Moulid of Abu el-Haggag is celebrated for two days.
The term Moulid in Arabic means birthday. Moulid refers to the celebration of birthday of a holy personality and in Egypt and in Egypt these celebrations are held for saints of both the Christian and Islamic faiths.
The most interesting part of the Moulid of Abu el-Haggag festival that draws a horde of visitors is the pageant of large boats in the crowed streets of Luxor. The procession bears a resemblance to the solar barque processions of the Pharaonic epoch. According to the Islamic symbolism, the boats signify the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Other events like horse races, dance, music and tahtibs or stick fights with the accompaniment of drum beats, adds much to the entertainment.

By Marina E'1

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Basant is a spring time kite flying event during the Basant Panham  festival in the Indian Subcontinent.It falls on Basant, also called Basant Panchami. According to the Punjabi calendar it is held on the fifth day of lunar month of Magha (in late January or early February) making the start of spring.However,people also observe the celebration on other times during the spring season.The festival is associated with Sufi saints and shrines across India and Pakistan.

Harry E,2

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Passover, Hebrew Pesaḥ or Pesach, in Judaism, holiday commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the forces of destruction, or the sparing of the firstborn of the Israelites, when the Lord “smote the land of Egypt” on the eve of the Exodus. Passover begins with the 15th and ends with the 21st (or, outside of Israel and among Reform Jews, the 22nd) day of the month of Nisan (March or April). On these seven (or eight) days, all leaven, whether in bread or other mixture, is prohibited, and only unleavened bread, called matzo, may be eaten. The matzo symbolizes both the Hebrews’ suffering while in bondage and the haste with which they left Egypt in the course of the Exodus. Passover is also sometimes called the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
Passover is often celebrated with great pomp and ceremony, especially on the first night, when a special family meal called the sederis held. At the seder, foods of symbolic significance commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation are eaten, and prayers and traditional recitations are performed. Though the festival of Passover is meant to be one of great rejoicing, strict dietary laws must be observed, and special prohibitions restrict work at the beginning and end of the celebration.

The Seder Plate

The centerpiece of the Seder table is the Seder Plate. Many Jewish families own a specially designed platter with designated sections for each food, but any large plate or platter can work, as long as each of the following six Seder foods are represented on the plate:

Green Vegetable (Karpas): A green vegetable, usually sprigs of parsley, is one of the first things eaten in the Seder, dipped in salt water. The salt water symbolizes the tears shed during slavery, and the vegetable symbolizes different things, according to different sources, from the arrival of springtime and new life, to the Israelite's lowly origins. Some people use celery on their plate for Karpas, or boiled potatoes, a nod to the shortage of green vegetables in times of hardship.

Matzah: This flat, cracker-like piece of bread is the commonly associated with Passover. Also spelled matzoh or matzo, it represents the speed with which the Israelites escaped from Egypt — there was not enough time for bread to rise, so they baked it unleavened.

Jews eat matzah, or unleavened bread, throughout the eight days of Passover, but on the Seder table, there is a stack of three matzoh. Early on in the service, one piece is broken in half and hidden in the house. The children at the Seder hunt for this afikomen (or dessert) later, and the finder often gets a prize.

If you can make your own matzah, tradition dictates it must be made in only 18 minutes from start to finish: partly as tribute to the haste of the Israelite's departure, and partly because this is how long it takes for a grain exposed to liquid to ferment.

Bitter Herbs (Maror): Horseradish or romaine lettuce are the most common representatives of bitter herb on the Seder plate. It is symbolic of the bitterness and harshness of life as enslaved people. The bitter herb is used twice in the ceremony: once, eaten on its own, and again, with charoset between pieces of matzo. This "Hillel sandwich" is named for a sage who believed the combination represented a positive approach to the hardships in one's life.

Charoset: Derived from the Hebrew word for clay, charoset represents the mortar the Israelites used to build the Pharaoh's monuments while they were enslaved. Charoset is usually made from apples, walnuts, wine or grape juice, cinnamon, and honey or sugar. Other recipes might use dried fruit like dates or figs and almonds.

Shank Bone (Z'roa): The shank bone has its roots in the lamb that was scarified by the Israelites just before their departure from Egypt. On another level of interpretation, the word z'roa means arm, representing the outstretched arm with which God safely took the Israelites to freedom. This is one of the few things on the Seder plate that isn't eaten: instead it's a visual reminder of the sacrifice.

While some still use a roasted lamb shank bone, others choose to roast a chicken neck or thigh, because Jewish belief forbids sacrifices outside a temple (and, indeed, animal sacrifices are not performed at all anymore), so using chicken will dispel any mistaken notion, symbolic or not, that a sacrifice has occurred. Vegetarians often substitute a roasted beet.

Egg (Beitzah): A hard-boiled or roasted egg, like many other Seder foods, has dual meanings. Some say it is a traditional food of mourning, since its roundness evokes the circle of life. Others say it is a way of flouting the pagan traditions the Egyptians observed, such as not eating eggs or meat. Finally, a more overt interpretation is that eggs symbolize rebirth or the future. The egg on the Seder plate is usually hard-boiled, and most hosts make enough so each guest can eat one at the end of the service, often dipped in salt water.

Orange: The orange is a newcomer to the Seder plate; it's only been in recent years that some more progressive Jews have added it to their ceremony. Susannah Heschel, a professor of Jewish studies at Dartmouth College, proposed the orange be included to recognize and accept gay and lesbian Jews. Each guest eats a segment and spits out the seeds, symbolically rejecting homophobia. Others, however, view the orange on the Seder plate as a representative of the importance of women in Judaism.

Wine: Those with low tolerances, beware: four glasses of wine are consumed throughout the Seder, and as with all the other foods, there are multiple explanations for why there are four; two are the liberation from the Pharaoh's four evil decrees, and the four ways God promised He'd deliver the Israelites to freedom. An extra glass of wine is traditionally placed at the door to the house for the prophet who supposedly visits every Jewish house on Passover.

Dressing for Dinner: When attending Seder, dress elegantly and modestly in conservative silhouettes and subdued colors. A knee-length dress with a cardigan or a skirt and blouse for women, and slacks, a button up, and jacket for men are appropriate depending on location.
There are no traditional colors of this holiday, but some people consider all shades of red, green, blue, and white colors as typical ones for Passover. Red symbolizes the sprinkling of the blood on the doorpost and white symbolizes sheep that was butchered.

Video:
https://youtu.be/Ej6n_2KJ_OI

Nick Zournatsidis
E2

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Wesak is celebrated on the full Moon in May. It is also known as Buddha day. Wesak celebrates the Buddha's birthday and, for some Buddhists, also marks his enlightenment and death.

Wesak is a very colourful and happy celebration. Homes may be cleaned and decorated.

In many countries, Buddhists will visit their local temple for services and teaching. They will give offerings to the monks of food, candles and flowers. Chanting and praying are an important part of Wesak.
The 'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony is also often included. Water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha as a reminder to purify their own minds from greed, hatred and ignorance.
Gifts are taken to an altar to be offered to the Buddha statues. This shows respect and gratitude to the Buddha for his life and teachings.
Giving to others is an important Buddhist tradition. Buddhists make a special effort to give to people in need at Wesak.
Celebrations vary from one country to another. In Thailand and Indonesia, for example, special Wesak lanterns are made of paper and wood. In China, dancing dragons are incorporated into the celebrations.
Another popular custom in some countries is to release caged birds. This represents letting go of troubles and wishing that all beings are well and happy.

By Leo E’2

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Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a Hindu spring festival which is celebrated in India and Nepal. In 2020, Holika Dahan (Holi Bonfire) was on 9th March and Rangwali Holi was celebrated on 10th March. In 2021, Holika Dahan is on 28th March and Rangwali Holi is on 29th March. The people there are camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting prowess and bravery, and listening to kirtan, music and poetry. They eat Thandai, Dahi Bhalle, Puran Poli, Rasmalai, Badam Phirni, Coconut Milk Murukku and Bhang Pakora. They are wearing a basic t-shirt, pants or a long dress that you either bin at the end of the day or wash knowing it will never be white-white again. Or better still, buy an inexpensive 'Kurta' (pyjama like pants + top) in India.

INTERESTING FACTS
1. The name Holi comes from “Holika”, the sister of demon King “Hiranyakashyap” (refer: Hindu mythology).

2. Other legend behind the origin of Holi is that Lord Krishna as a baby was poisoned by the breast milk of Putana and thus he developed the characteristic blue color of his skin. Krishna was not sure if fair skinned Radha and other girls would like him. Thus he approached Radha and colored her face in some colors. Radha accepted Krishna despite the blue color of his skin and since that day the festival of Holi is celebrated.

3.Kids start using water balloon and water pistols a week or 10 days before Holi. They hide and target the by-passers with balloons filled with colored water and water pistols.

By Ivi E'1

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Rama Navami is a Hindu spring festival, Rama Navami celebrates the birthday of Shree Rama, the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu. Rama is particularly important in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. The festival celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Rama avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya. The festival is a part of the spring  Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, the first month in the Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year. Rama Navami is an optional government holiday in India.

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Rama Navami is a Hindu spring festival, Rama Navami celebrates the birthday of Shree Rama, the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu. Rama is particularly important in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. The festival celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Rama avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya. The festival is a part of the spring  Navratri, and falls on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra, the first month in the Hindu calendar. This typically occurs in the Gregorian months of March or April every year. Rama Navami is an optional government holiday in India.

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By Aris/Slothyboy E'1

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Rakhi is a popular, traditionally Hindu, annual rite, which is central to a festival of the same name celebrated in South Asia.
On the day of Rakhi, brothers and sisters wear new clothes and observe the festival in the presence of their parents, elders and grandparents. The ritual involves lighting a diya or earthen lamp which represents life deity and performing of arti of the sisters .
In Rajasthan, a filigreed delicacy called Ghevar is the usually prepared during Rakhi festival. Along with sweets a delectable meal is also served to double the joy of occasion. Let’s celebrate Rakhi with some delicious food. If you are confused what to prepare on this day, why not this Rakhi special recipe collection.
On this day people dress up in ethnic Indian wear, tie the Rakhi to the brothers and indulge in delicacies and exchange gifs.

By Hector