There’s a small Christian population in China. However, Christmas traditions in China aren’t the same as in the USA for example. Christmas isn’t a religious holiday here. Instead, it is recognized as more of a novelty day and isn’t a public holiday like in the Western World.
With this in mind, we’ll be taking a look at some Christmas traditions in China and how they are uique. It’s important to note that Christmas is mostly celebrated within China’s mainland where there are grand displays of decorations and light on malls and other commercial buildings.
Let’s now explore popular Christmas traditions in China.
Christmas is the equivalent of Valentine’s Day in China
For the younger population, the Christmas season is a time for them to spend with their significant other. They exchange gifts, go on romantic walks to take in the beautiful decorations, or go on dates. In the Western world, it’s quite different because Christmas is a time when family and friends spend time together.
It’s tradition for couples to go out together to watch movies, have a Karaoke night, or get some shopping done.
Eating an apple on Christmas Eve is a thing
It is tradition to eat a ‘Peace Apple’ on Christmas Eve. Peace Apple’s came about as a result of the meaning of Christmas Eve in Mandarin; it translates to ‘ping’an ye’. In English this means ‘peaceful night’. Ironically, the Mandarin for apple is ‘ping guo’ which has a similar pronunciation to ‘ping’an ye’. Because of this, the locals began to say that eating an apple on Christmas Eve brings with it a peaceful year, blessings, and safety.
It is customary among the younger people to wrap Peace Apples creatively and beautifully in cellophane and gift them to their friends. Peace Apples also usually have printed messages on them which say ‘love’, ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Peace’.
Instead of elves, Santa has sisters
Everybody knows that Santa has helpers. Normally these helpers are called elves but in China, Santa has sisters. Santa and his sisters live in the Chinese North Pole in a fairytale Arctic Christmas Village.
If you visit a Chinese mall, you’ll see Santa on duty walking around with women dressed up as his helpers and following him around.
In China, Santa Claus Plays the Sax!
In Mandarin, Santa Claus is ‘Sheng dan lao ren’. When translated to English, it literally means ‘Old Christmas Man’. A traditional Chinese Santa Claus plays the saxophone; a tradition that’s far from what we have here in the West. That said, no one really knows why they have it that Santa plays the saxophone, but he does and it’s considered normal there.
There are some speculations that because Christmas takes on such a romantic role and because the saxophone is such a sensual instrument, it was only fitting for Santa Clause to play it as an instrument.
It’s the Christmas Capital of the world
China serves as the supplier of Christmas lights and décor for the majority of the world. In the city of ‘Yiwu’ which is located in the province of ‘Zhejiang’, it is known as the Christmas capital of the world.
There are over 500 factories within this city that specialize in making the famous ‘Christmas lights’ as well as other traditional Christmas decorations. Need some Christmas trees pronto? This is the place to be!
Some Chinese are against Christmas
Because China has such a small Christian population of about 5% or roughly around 68 million people, Christmas isn’t necessarily a widely accepted and celebrated holiday. In fact, many nationalists are of the belief that Christmas poses a threat to the customs of traditions of China and may even be a tool of imperialism against its people.
Even though these opinions exist, however, more and more Chinese people are accepting the Christmas season and are seeing it as an opportunity to spend time and have fun with family and friends as opposed to acknowledging it in the same way that Christians do with the traditional and religious message of Christmas.
It’s also important to note that Christians within Chinese society aren’t allowed to go around singing Christmas carols or openly praying in public.
Closing out …
Are you visiting China during the very busy and festive Holiday/Christmas season? Well, if you’re in mainland China, you won’t feel left out having a feeling of the ‘Christmas Spirit’.
Look out for heavily decorated store fronts and streets lined with millions of shoppers or lovers going on a date. Christmas has not always been part of China’s traditions. But as the holiday grew in popularity within the country, so too did the interest of many to celebrate or at least commemorate Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas or not, the time of year still calls for the giving of gifts. It’s still a time to spend with your friends and family too.
Don’t forget that Day Translations is your number one translation and interpreting company. Should you be spending your Holidays in China, don’t forget that we’re just a phone call away! We’re always ready to help you to not miss out on the cultures and traditions there.