Christmas boat: The deep symbolism of the Greeks |

We all associate the Christmas season with sweets, glamorous decorations, gifts, and festive tables. But these would be nothing without the presence of our loved ones and there is no better way to bring us all closer than the presence of a decorated Christmas tree. But how did Greeks feel this "warmth" in the old days since fir is a relatively historically recent custom? What did we decorate in our country before the fir tree?

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Christmas customs: What does the Christmas boat symbolize?

Greece is a country particularly proud of its sailors and captains. In the past, when women stoically waited for their seafaring husbands to return home, they celebrated their arrival on the Christmas boat. Specifically the Christmas boat, a wooden boat decorated with lights and ornaments, placing it either next to the fireplace or outside in the courtyard. Usually, it was decorated on December 6 in honor of St. Nicholas, patron saint of sailors.

It is appropriate to say that this custom did not "enter" people's homes at some point unlike the tree, but it was already there. The decorated fir tree may be a sign of warmth and renewal for households, but it does not compare to the history that the Christmas ship carries.

What does it symbolize and where do they still decorate it?

The Christmas boat was a symbol of the man's welcome during the festive season, after his stormy journey at sea. Apart from the Greek tradition and the strong involvement of our country with shipping, the Christmas ship symbolized the new life of people from the birth of Christ onwards. Children in the Cyclades islands built ships out of paper and wood and after decorating them they went out singing in the neighborhood collecting candies and other kinds of delicacies from the people. Does it remind you of anything?

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From the boat to the Christmas tree

In fact, the tradition of decorating a tree is said to have come from Germany in 1834, when it was first decorated. Therefore, it is a foreign custom that we cannot but admit that we adore, from decorating it ourselves to gazing at it for hours and admiring its magnificence.

Although in recent years it has been replaced by the tree, some choose to honor the Greek tradition. In particular, there are still some smaller societies, such as the islands that prefer the decoration of the boat instead of the fir. Maybe they want to keep its bittersweet symbolism for a while longer...