The Resurrection of Jesus

For a lot of Christians, the reason remains the same. It is the day in which Jesus rose from the dead. After being crucified and dying, Jesus rose from the dead promising eternal life to those who believe in him.

Among many Christian denominations, the day is commemorated with prayers and hymns. Some Protestant groups start their observation on the night of Holy / Black Saturday. They light candles and at daybreak. For these Christians, the reason why people celebrate Easter (or should) is to remember the risen Christ.

Egg Hunting Time

In a lot of cultures, the feast means it’s time for the egg hunts. Communities, schools or malls usually organize the egg hunts. Colorful eggs are hidden in various spots. Kids look for them and get corresponding prizes. Exactly when this practice originated is unclear. Some have pointed to Pennsylvania as the starting place. However, it’s also very likely that the belief had its roots in Europe.

Whatever its origins may be, one of the main reasons nowadays why people celebrate Easter is the egg hunt. .

Family Time

For the non religious, it has become a time to get together with the family. Usually at this time there are special promos in shopping malls, restaurants or entertainment centers. As such, it becomes a great opportunity for families to spend time together. While they may not be celebrating any religious event, what most do is celebrate family life itself.

Egg Rolling

Egg rolling is another reason kids look forward to this day. The practice in the United States started in the late 1880s. Originally, the egg rolling took place in the Capitol. After officials said that it was damaging the grass, the First Lady had the kids come over to the White House lawn and do it there instead. This practice has continued to this day and is one of the reasons why people celebrate Easter in the United States.

Parades

Parades are also part of the feast in the US. During the early days, people would take a walk after going to church. Usually people would be dressed in their best clothes. In time this led to parades, the most notable being the ones in New York City.

Other Ways it is Observed

Countries observe the festival in different ways. Among Catholics, it’s usually met with prayers and giving of thanks. However most also take time out to join the egg hunts. Other countries are also starting to hold parades during the feast.

There are many reasons why people celebrate Easter. The bottom line is that how it’s observed is up to you. As with other feasts and celebrations, it has come down to the individual to decide what to make of it.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

Bead Throwing

Bead throwing actually began in the 1920s. The krewe were in charge of the parades. Moving across the streets, they would hurl cheap beads at the crowds. The practice caught on, and today it has become an integral part of carnival festivities. Most of the time beads thrown are made of glass, but nowadays some use plastic or other material.

Flashing of Breasts

Another common feature are women flashing their breasts. This actually has its roots in Roman practices. During the Lupercalla feast it was customary for the high priests to throw animal skin at women whom they came across. According to those who have studied the traditions of Mardi Gras, being touched by the animal skin would induce fertility.

Women clamored for the piece of skin. It was supposed to be thrown at random, but women often flashed their breasts to entice the priests to throw it at them.

As the years went by, the practice persisted minus the throwing of animal skin. Very few are probably aware of its origins. Those who do it probably do so because it’s fun, it is part of the tradition or both. As breast flashing became commonplace, it followed that women (and men) started wearing scanty outfits at the carnival. Its origin as a fertility ritual has been well established.

Wearing Masks

Other traditions of Mardi Gras are the wearing of masks in balls. The practice probably started following the fall of Rome. As Christianity spread, the loose morals prevalent in Rome were replaced by the strict codes of Christianity.

This didn’t stop the people from participating in carnivals though.
However, the participants started donning masks to conceal their identities. By hiding their identities, they could still participate in the various activities of carnival without fear of exposure.

Some have suggested that masks became popular because it allowed people to be someone else. Living in society that imposed rules on class and gender, the mask meant they could assume another identity for a while and do other things.

Eventually the masks became used more as an ornament than concealing identity. Some researchers suggest that the masks led to the development of more elaborate costumes.

Drinking and Merrymaking

Of all the traditions of Mardi Gras, the most prevalent is drinking and dancing. Whatever the difference between the floats and parades, the frenzied atmosphere is the one constant. Its origin is thought to be the Roman feast of Lupercalla and / or Saturnalia.

The Saturnalia featured a deformed man who was made king for a day. The man was usually a slave. He was allowed for the day to get drunk, indulge in food and debauchery. At the end of the day he was executed. This probably explains why some floats to this day still incorporate images of an ugly man in their designs.

The traditions of Mardi Gras are numerous. Each of them has a unique background and can be as fascinating as the carnival itself. Studying them gives you more insight into history as well.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

Shrove Tuesday is primarily the day before the Christian practice called Ash Wednesday. This term is widely used in various countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Likewise, people living in United Kingdom and Ireland also use this term when dealing with this festive event. To know more about this special day including the reason why people celebrate Shrove Tuesday, let’s take a closer look at the nature of this very nice practice.

The Significance of Shrove Tuesday

Why is Shrove Tuesday celebrated? In various countries, people celebrate Shrove Tuesday in preparation for the Lenten Season. In this special day, they do things that are not allowed during the said Christian practice of Lent. It was derived from the act of shriving that English Christians do before they receive absolution for their sins. When the Protestant Reformation ended, the development of the so-called Shrovetide season took place. Latin European countries continued on this festive carnival tradition.

In the U.S., Shrove Tuesday is no longer celebrated. Only those who are under Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran Churches adhere to this practice. Outside of these religious institutions, people celebrate Mardi Gras instead. This special day is also called Pancake Day in other countries such as England. This annual event is associated with food specialties that are rich in butter, sugar and eggs. This is the primary reason why people eat pancakes during this day.

In other cultures, this day also goes by the name Pancake Tuesday. This is true in places such as New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Of course, do not forget Newfoundland, which has many denominations of Protestants, Lutherans and Anglicans. Eating pancakes is customary in these locations.

Additional Information and Other Important Details About the Event

In Sweden, they celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday by eating fastlagsbulle or semla, which is a traditional pastry with whipped cream and almond paste. In some areas of the U.S. where many Polish live like Detroit and Chicago, they celebrate Paczki Day, which is characterized by delicious Polish food, lively music and exciting contests. Uzgavenes is the term they use in Lithuania, where people usually eat within this day Lithuanian-style doughnuts and pancakes. In addition, they call this special day ‘Bursting Day’ or simply Sprengidagur in Iceland, where people eat peas and salt meat.

This kind of event is called Malasada Day in Hawaii, where people usually prepare and eat doughnuts or malasada. For German Americans, this special day is referred to as Fastnacht Day. In Finland and Estonia, people spend this day eating ham soup and split pea.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

The Reason Why People Celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July

Why is Independence Day Celebrated on July 4th? It was on July 4, 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the United States Declaration of Independence. Written by Thomas Jefferson, this all-important statement declared the independence of 13 American colonies from the British Empire. Because of this historic move, these colonies became independent states, which later on became the United States of America.

Every July 4th of each year, U.S. citizens celebrate Independence Day in commemoration of that crucial point in American history. This holiday is marked with colorful parades in the morning, carnivals in the afternoon and fireworks displays in the evening. Special ceremonies are also held, featuring government officials and politicians delivering inspiring speeches for everyone. The entire day is filled with festivities as the people reminisce the special day when the country acquired its freedom.

Independence Day is a perfect occasion for playing patriotic hymns and songs. To inspire the people, different kinds of inspiring nationalistic songs are played all throughout the day including “This Land Is Your Land,” “the Star-Spangled Banner” and “Yankee Doodle.” Many people also play other songs during this special event such as “America the Beautiful,” “Stars and Stripes Forever” as well as “God Bless You.”

Another important highlight for the day is the military gun salute, which happens at noon. This tradition is also referred to as a salute to the Union. Of course, there are fireworks displays to add more life, color and spirit to the country’s celebration of freedom, history and tradition. These colorful displays of special pyrotechnics are conducted in various parts of the U.S. These include the National Mall in Washington D.C., Lake Michigan in Chicago and East River in New York.

One of the biggest and grandest events for this national holiday takes place at Detroit River in Michigan. The City of Detroit coordinates with the City of Windsor in Ontario yearly to host the annual Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival. This event is held, not only to celebrate the Independence Day in the U.S., but also the Canadian statutory federal holiday called Canada Day.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

How it Works

In a nutshell, it involves an individual or group that trades shares based on private company data. This allows the person/group to make a profit at the loss of other individuals in the market.

Example, John Doe is informed by someone from Company X that it lost a lot of money in the last quarter. It is totally unexpected. John decides to sell his Company X shares for $40.

A couple of days later, Company X releases their quarter earnings. The news disappoints investors and its stock value plummets to $20. While John makes a profit, everyone else sells at a huge loss.

That is the reason why insider trading is illegal. The information that John got was something not everyone was privy too. It gives him an unfair advantage over others. It also violates company ethics and rules.

ohn and his informant violated the rules by using information that wasn’t supposed to be released yet. Furthermore it is in violation of the transparency provision in the law.

Impact on the Company

But the problems mentioned above are only a part of the potential trouble. It doesn’t take long before word gets around that illegal trading has happened. When investors realize this, they will pull their money out of the company. Reeling from the bad news, Company X gets into more trouble.

That is why insider trading is illegal. It exacerbates the problem. Not only will their share value drop due to the quarterly financial report loss, but accounts of illegal trading will make things worse. Instead of making a recovery, their woes increase.

Effect on the Stock Market

This can easily create a domino effect. Assume Company X is a bank. Those who bought shares in other banks will get spooked. Even if their bank wasn’t a victim of illegal trading, they’ll sell just to be sure. When other investors see this, they’ll think that other bank shares are dropping due to illegal trade. They’ll start to dump their shares as well.

Effect on the Economy

The reason why insider trading is illegal is the effects can be so wide ranging. If a large company is victimized, the negative effects can be tremendous.

The stock market is used as a barometer of a country’s health status. Once it starts to fall, it can create panic. Foreign investments and hot money will be pulled out. This in turn can affect the currency and lead to all sorts of problems.

Conclusion

The scenario outlined is not an exaggeration. Keep in mind that what makes the stock market work is trust and faith in the system. Once the seed of doubt is planted, the structure can collapse like a house of cards.

It’s not enough to know the ins and outs of making money at the market. You should be aware of why insider trading is illegal too. This will keep you away from trouble.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

The Importance of Independence Day

Why do we celebrate Independence Day? The primary purpose of celebrating this special day is to commemorate the so-called independence of the United States from what was once known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain. On July 4, 1776, the so-called Declaration of Independence was finally adopted. Dubbed as the Fourth of July, this day is devoted to celebrate the rich traditions, the colorful history as well as the founding of a good independent government.

During this special day of celebration, public events are held to praise the people, laws and heritage of the country. It is a time when numerous politicians appear publicly to join the citizens and engage in different kinds of happy ceremonies. It is quite normal to see vivid decorations such as clothing, balloons and streamers. People can find blue, white and red colors all over the nation. In the morning, citizens join parades while awesome fireworks displays happen at night in public spots like town squares, fairgrounds and parks.

Patriotic songs are played almost everywhere. These include inspiring and meaningful songs like “Dixie,” “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and “America the Beautiful.” Other songs that people play during this special day are “Yankee Doodle,” “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “God Bless America.” Of course, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which is the national anthem of the country, is played at the start of almost every event that is scheduled for that day. These songs perfectly complement the celebration because they all speak about history and tradition.

At noon, a gun salute for each U.S. state is fired. This interesting practice is referred to as salute to the union. When evening comes, excellent fireworks displays are held in different locations including the Mississippi River in Saint Louis, the Charles River in Boston and the Mission Bay in San Diego. In addition, displays of beautiful fireworks are also held near the National Mall in Washington D.C., at Lake Michigan in Chicago and at the East River in New York. Another major celebration to mark the U.S. Independence Day is the Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, which is considered one of the biggest and grandest displays of fireworks worldwide.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

To Commemorate Jesus’ Birth

Western Church tradition states that December 25 was the day when Jesus was born. Among many Christians, they look forward to the holidays as a time to give thanks for the birth of their Messiah. Although most observe it with merrymaking, devout Christians take time out to pray and give thanks. In most Christian countries, the season is marked by displays in stores of the Nativity scene.

Not all Christians mark Jesus’ birthday on December 25. Others do so on January 6. However in the Western world, their belief that Jesus was born on the said date is one reason why people celebrate Christmas.

To Exchange Gifts

The Yuletide season has also become the time for people to give gifts to one another. Exactly when this tradition began is not clear. However through the years, the idea of sending and receiving presents has become entrenched in societies. Along with gifts, greeting cards are also exchanged during the season.

The concept of gift giving has become so popular so that stores hold their biggest sales during this time. The period when the holiday season begins vary per country. In the United States, it’s on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In other countries the holiday shopping begins as early as mid November.

It’s been pointed out that the main reason nowadays why people celebrate Christmas is to give / receive presents. For some, the fixation with gifts can take away the true meaning and spirit of the season.

To Spend Time with Family

Even for non Christians, the season has become the period for bonding with the family. Family members living abroad usually come home for the holidays. In most cases, the holidays are the only time they can get together.

For this reason, the period has become very special. It’s that time of the year when people living in far away places get to visit their parents or siblings. It should be obvious that one reason why people celebrate Christmas is it offers quality family time.

To Get Together with Friends

The season is also marked by parties among officemates and schools. These gatherings are the best time for colleagues to spend time together. Through the whole year they spend it working behind the desk. The holiday season offers them the chance to relax and enjoy themselves. Most of these occasions are marked by giveaways, singing and giving of presents.

The Meaning of the Season

It’s true that a lot of people get stressed during this period, hence the term holiday blues. This can be due to loneliness, worrying over the expenses and being stressed out. Regardless of the reason why people celebrate Christmas, it’s important that you commemorate the event the way you want it.

There’s no need to feel pressured to give expensive gifts or lavish presents. The truth spirit of the season comes when you spend time with family.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

Spring Renewal Rites

Researchers have suggested that the custom developed from Roman festivals like the Lupercalla. It’s filled with merrymaking and drinking, but there is a reason for it. The rites symbolize the annual cycle of the seasons. The Dionysian spring rites signify rebirth following the death experienced in winter.

When this ritual began is uncertain. It’s believed to be much older than Rome. In fact it may have started as soon as man recognized the cycle of the seasons.

According to this theory, the rites and feasts are the basis for events like Mardi Gras. So while people may no longer realize it, the reason why carnival is celebrated has to do with the observance of the seasons. Not only does it symbolize changing weather, it also denotes the cycle of life and death.

To Boost the Economy

It can’t be denied that money plays a role too. Cities where these festivals take place promote it heavily. The reason is simple. The event draws in tourists and this translates to revenue for the city. It also helps boost and advertise the other tourist sites in the country.

During this period, tourists come to the city to witness the event. Along the way they stay at hotels, buy souvenirs etc. The money they spend doesn’t just go to the government. It also helps the locals whose livelihood depends on tourism. The reason why carnival is celebrated has to do with earning a living as it is about having fun.

To Enjoy Life

For the revelers and participants, it’s all about forgetting their worries for a while. A lot of those who participate in Mardi Gras come from poor families. For them, it’s a great opportunity to let their troubles go for a while and just have a good time.

Another reason people look forward to it is that some of the rules imposed by society are temporarily taken down. The etiquette concerning classes, gender and decorum are laid down for a while. As anyone who’s participated will tell you, the experience is like becoming one with the people. If you ask why carnival is celebrated, the most common answer you’ll get is that folks just want to have fun.

To Promote National Culture

The floats, parades and dresses also uphold a city’s culture. Today, anyone who mentions Mardi Gras will think of New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro. It brings images of good times. It becomes a part of the city’s lifeblood itself. In the end it boosts the image of a city. This of course, will help the country in many ways.

Religious Purposes

Mardi Gras is also called Fat Tuesday, denoting its religious undertones. Sometime during the Middle Ages the Church declared that it would be the last day before the beginning of Lent. Although it doesn’t look like it, the event is very much connected with the Lenten period.

In the end though, it probably doesn’t matter why carnival is celebrated. For most people it’s the experience that counts, not the whys.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

Beginnings

During the period from 1619 to 1620, the Pilgrims residing in Plymouth, Massachusetts experienced severe food shortages. It was brought about by poor weather and unstable food supplies. To overcome the problem they turned to the Native Americans. The Indians taught the Pilgrims how to farm.

A Gift from the Native Americans

The famine ended in 1621. To show their gratitude the Pilgrims held a feast in 1621. The Native Americans were invited. They brought along with them some turkey. Based on this tradition, the reason why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving stemmed from the gifts given by the Native Americans.

More Economical

Some researchers believe that turkey was chosen for purely economical and practical reasons. They were big enough to feed scores of people. For farmers it meant huge savings. Instead of killing scores of chickens, they only need to cook a few turkeys and it would be enough.

It’s true that there were other animals kept in farms, but they couldn’t be killed off just for food. Cow meat was delicious, but they were used for milk and were too costly to just kill off. Serving them up for meals wasn’t practical because they had too many uses.

The reason why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving is that other animals weren’t available or had to be used. Hens were prized because of their eggs which farmers sold. Rooster was available but it was difficult to cook. Some report eating venison at dinner but it was impractical. Not only did you have to cook, but you had to hunt for them too. Hunting for a holiday meal was just too cumbersome.

A British Tradition

Several historians opined that the practice was imported from Britain. During royal occasions, turkey was the centerpiece of the feast. This has been used to explain why turkey was favored instead of ham or pork.

The latter two were widely available but didn’t become popular. If turkey was imported from Britain, it would explain why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving.

Perfect for the Fall

Researchers suggest it was chosen because of seasonal considerations. If the creatures were born in the spring, it could reach up to 10 lbs by the fall. The months in between the creature would spend fattening up. Economically speaking, it meant they were less costly than geese.

Whatever its origins, by 1863 the turkey had become the centerpiece of the feast. It should be noted that even before that time, eating the dish was very widespread.

With Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the traditional preparation was established. It included gravy and stuffing. Although with some variation, it’s still the most popular of serving the dish today.

The reasons why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving may be due to several factors. But whatever the origin, it has come to symbolize the blessings of life.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post

The Celtic Druid Samhain Festival

The Celts had two important deities, the sun god and the god of the dead. The latter’s day was celebrated on November 1. This was also the first day of the New Year. The festival was called Samhain.

Even when the Roman Empire ruled, the festival was maintained. As was usually the case in the Empire, the Celtic elements were mixed with those of Roman myths. This included the worship of Pomona, goddess of fruits. It’s been pointed out that the origin of Halloween customs like bobbing for apples came from this Celtic / Roman fusion.

The Festival in Christian Europe

The custom in early Christian Europe was to set their celebrations on pagan days. Pope Gregory III declared that November 1 as the day of Christian martyrs. The reason the date was chosen isn’t clear, but some believe that it was to make people forget about the Celtic (pagan) festival. Some years later, November 2 was declared the Christian day of the dead.

All Hallow’s Eve

November 1 came to be known as All Saints’ or All Hallows’ Day. November 2 became known as All Souls Day. The true origin of Halloween lies in the christening of the night of October 31 as All Hallow’s Eve. In time, All Hallow’s Eve became known as Hallow’s Eve and eventually Hal o’ ween.

Customs and Beliefs

Even though the Celtic myth was forgotten, the beliefs remained. During the Middle Ages the Europeans believed that demons, spirits and witches flew around the skies on Oct. 31. Fairies were also said to roam the area. During this time, people would go to fortune tellers. Rituals for communicating with the dead also took place.

One of the most popular customs included leaving presents or sweets at their doorsteps. This was meant to appease the fairies and other little people. If not, the fairies might burn their house. Over time, this played a vital part in the evolution and origin of Halloween. It came to be known as trick or treat.

As the Europeans made their way to the New World, they brought their beliefs and practices with them. The threats from the fairies were replaced by the trick or treat and became popular with kids. Bobbing for apples and jack o lantern were Irish practices that were imported to America.

The Event Today

Today the festival is one of the most popular in the Untied States. Kids of all ages dress up in scary costumes and go trick and treating. Stores and shopping malls sell merchandise, toys and costumes just for the occasion. Horror themed movies, TV specials and books come out around this time.

Whatever the origin of Halloween, there seems little doubt that it’s here to stay. It’s also becoming popular in other Asian countries too. What was once a day feared in medieval Europe has become one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions by children.

Related Why Guides:

• No Related Post