Why do Chinese give apples at Christmas?

People give apples on Christmas Eve because in Chinese Christmas Eve is called "Ping'an Ye" (平安夜), meaning peaceful or quiet evening, which has been translated from the carol 'Silent Night'. The word for apple in Mandarin is "píngguǒ" (苹果) which sounds like the word for peace.

Do Chinese eat apples on Christmas?

It's tradition to eat an apple on Christmas Eve

One of the most common Chinese Christmas traditions among young people is to send cellophane-wrapped apples as gifts to their friends. The apples are also often sold with printed messages like 'love', 'peace' and 'Merry Christmas'.

Why do people in China give apples?

An Apple is a Meaningful Gift on Christmas Eve

Ping in the word 'apple' (苹果 píngguǒ /ping-gwor/) sounds like the word 'peace' in Mandarin, which is used in the Chinese for Christmas Eve and the carol “Silent Night” (平安夜 Píng'ān Yè 'Peaceful Evening'), so people give and eat apples, particularly on Christmas Eve.

Why do people give apples for Christmas?

The tradition of decorating a tree around Christmas time goes back to pagan times. At that time, a tree was decorated with paper, candles, fruit and nuts. The most common fruit used was the apple. As paganism gave way to Christianity, this tradition was adopted as a part of Christmas.

What fruit do Chinese give on Christmas Eve?

Giving apples to send peace

On Christmas Eve, people like to gift apples. Why? The pronunciation of Christmas Eve in Chinese (平安夜 píng ān yè, literally peaceful evening) sounds similar to the word for apple (píng guŏ 苹果). Apples are also less commonly known as píng ān guŏ (平安果), meaning 'peaceful fruit'.

Why Chinese people give you apples on Christmas eve? | 平安夜吃平安果 #Shorts

What does gifting an apple mean?

The Chinese have combined these two terms into 平(píng)安(ān)果(guǒ), , meaning peace apples and begun gifting apples to friends, colleagues and teachers on this day. These Christmas Eve peace apples aren't regular apples, however. Eating one of these on Christmas Eve is supposed to bring you a safe and peaceful new year.

What are Chinese Christmas traditions?

One of the most popular Chinese Christmas traditions is to hang beautiful paper lanterns indoors, outdoors, and strung around the plastic Christmas tree, which is called "Tree of Light". Families add paper chains and flowers in bright, festive colors to the Christmas tree.

Do Chinese people eat apples?

Over the past decade, gifting apples on Christmas Eve has become so popular in China that the price of the fruit has actually risen every December 24. The new (and slightly puzzling) tradition dates back to at least the past decade, reports the Los Angeles Times. But why apples?

How does China celebrate Advent?

Chinese Christians light up their homes with colorful paper lanterns during Advent, and you might find red paper pagodas cut out and placed in windows. They follow many of the traditions that were brought by Western missionaries.

What is the Chinese gift exchange?

Rules For A Chinese Christmas Exchange

Choose a number – place a number for each person in a basket and allow everyone to choose. Whomever chooses #1, goes first. Selecting gifts – #1 may select any of the unwrapped gifts. Whomever selected #2 can either take the opened gift or unwrap another gift.

Is Christmas banned in China?

Christmas may not be traditional or officially recognised in China, but there are tens of millions of Christians in the country who celebrate the occasion while much of the general public enjoy festive rituals that are common worldwide - be it shopping for gifts or going out with friends.

What are some fun facts about Chinese Christmas?

What is a Christmas apple?

The Christkindel Apple, also known as Christmas Apples, Santa Klaus or Saint Nicolas' apple, is a traditional variety from the Alsace region. The peel is a dark red color, but there is another variety that is even darker, almost black, known as “Christkindel de Gambsheim” or “Gambsheimer” or simply “Gambsler”.

Are there still Christians in China?

There are at least 60 million Christians in China, spanning rural and urban areas. Congregation-based churches can organise large groups across the country and some have links with Christian groups abroad.

What is the main religion in China?

The research and advocacy group Freedom House estimated in 2017 that there are more than 350 million religious believers in China, primarily made up of Chinese Buddhists, followed by Protestants, Muslims, Falun Gong practitioners, Catholics, and Tibetan Buddhists.

What do they call Christmas tree in China?

The family puts up a Christmas tree, called "tree of light," and decorates it with beautiful lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains that symbolize happiness. They cut out red pagodas to paste on the windows, and they light their houses with paper lanterns, too.

What is China's favorite fruit?

What are the most popular fruits in China? Some fruits are prevalent to see in China and also very welcomed by Chinese people. Watermelons, apples, grapes, pears, mandarins, bananas, strawberries, pineapples, lychees, longan, cherries, mangos, papayas, grapefruits, and peaches are all popular fruits in China.

Which fruit represents luck on Chinese New Year?

Oranges and Other Citrus

Oranges, kumquats, tangerines and pomelos are common Chinese New Year gifts because they're believed to bring good luck and happiness. The Chinese words for “orange” and “tangerine” closely resemble the words for “luck” and “wealth.” The gold color of these fruits also symbolizes prosperity.

Which fruit is most popular in China?

Apples are the most popular fruit consumed in China, but are losing popularity because of limited varieties and the increased availability of other fruits. Pears are less popular than apples.

Do Chinese give gifts on Christmas?

These days, young, urban Chinese consumers are also likely to give gifts on Western holidays like Christmas or Valentine's Day as well, while their rural peers are more likely to primarily observe traditional Chinese holidays. Gift-giving is also much more prevalent in Chinese workplaces than it is in the West.

Do Chinese eat KFC for Christmas?

KFC Japan's busiest day is usually December 24, on which they usually sell about five to 10 times more than typical days. "As Christmas approaches, KFC commercials play on TV -- they look very delicious. We order early then go to the store at the designated time to pick up our bucket," says Naomi.

What does an apple symbolize?

In ancient mythology, the Apple is one of the most sacred trees and symbolises good health and future happiness. Since ancient times it has also been known as the 'Tree of Love' and is associated with Aphrodites, goddess of love.

What does the apple symbol represent?

The apple represented knowledge, as in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, or referenced the falling fruit that led Sir Isaac Newton to the concept of gravity. Supporters of the latter theory note the name of Apple's handheld PDA, the Newton, but that was more than a decade after the creation of the logo.

What fruit represents Christmas?

What is this? Some fruits or berries are well known for their association with Christmas. The holly berry, for example, or the white berry of the mistletoe. However, in this article I would like to look at three fruits with less common Christmas associations: apples, cherries and cowberries.