Christmas Boat Greece

In 1833 king otto of bavaria decorated the first christmas tree in greece and from then on the christmas tree was to be seen standing alongside a decorated boat.

Christmas boat greece. Christmas celebrations in greece officially last for 14 days starting on christmas eve and ending on epiphany 6 january with the great blessing of water. Have you ever wondered why in greece at christmas we decorate boats. To karavaki or small boat is rooted in the traditions of a country with a symbiotic relationship with the sea. Homes are decorated and the smell of christmas treats is in the air.

Greeks a seafaring nation of. In greece according to the tradition we decorate a boat mainly on the islands. This custom survives today in seaside towns and islands where people decorate christmas boats in the central squares. It is said that the first christmas tree in greece was introduced and decorated by the bavarian king otto in 1833.

Although greeks do decorate christmas trees a german custom brought in greece by king otto it isn t nearly as common a practice as decorating boats. The boat symbolizes the maritime identity of the country. Christmas boats karavaki a greek tradition. A new nbsp route in life more specifically it symbolizes man 39 s new journey into life after the birth of christ.

The karavaki symbolises sailing towards the new life that follows the birth of jesus christ and with greece being so connected to the sea decorating a boat during christmas also serves as a token of gratitude to the marines and sailors who have devoted their lives to the sea for their country. Christmas boat as this is a maritime country the greeks traditionally decorate boats for christmas. It is a custom that has declined year after y. Wooden boats would be adorned with lights and ornaments.

Following the gregorian calendar the greek orthodox church celebrates christmas on 25 december. An impressive and surprising christmas tradition in greece is the karavaki boat decoration. These christmas boats in greece would be placed near a door or fireplace with the christmas boat s bow pointing inwards. The christmas boat in the old venetian port of chania crete.

Decorating boats spread through much of the country and became a custom during the holidays. The christmas boat karavaki little ship is part of a very old greek tradition. This represented the successful journey towards the mainland. When i first came to greece in 1977 these beautiful boats were a quite common sight at christmas time seen in homes on the street and in tavernas.

The decoration of the christmas tree is not a greek habit. The christmas boat we see adorned in homes shops and outdoor areas has its roots very deeply in the tradition of greece.