The origins of Anglo-Saxon Easter and other mysteries

Easter? ¿What kind of name is that Rabbits? Why the rabbits? Why the painted eggs? There are too many unexplainable things around Easter. So, just like the searching and inquiring creatures that have become the symbol of Anglo-Saxon Easter, we will jump, jump and enter the rabbit hole to discover the ancient mysteries of this peculiar festivity.

The origins of Easter

Easter, perhaps the most important date on the Christian calendar, is known in much of the world as the holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent, which is the period of 40 days until Easter Sunday, is a time of self-reflection that is supposed to reflect the time Jesus spent in the desert.

In the Hebrew Bible, the Jews refer to the Passover season as Passover, which symbolizes the liberation of the Hebrew people from the bondage of Egypt.

If we dig a little deeper, it seems that the first commemoration of this time of the year goes back much further back in time than modern religion. The Easter date falls at a key point in the solar calendar: the spring equinox, the moment when there are finally the same hours of light as of darkness. In the north, the arrival of spring was celebrated with great joy.

The hypothesis is that the first celebrations of spring began as an ancestral spiritual festival that honored the cycles of the earth and the moon, as well as the appearance of the first crops and flowers after the long winter. Without a doubt, there is something mystical and virtuous in the connection of Easter with the sun, the solar system and the flowering of life on our planet, do not you think?

Where does the name come from?

It is believed that the name given to Easter in the Anglo-Saxon countries, Easter, refers to Ostara (in ancient English, Eostre), a former pre-Christian goddess of spring and fertility. Bede the Venerable, an old monk with a long beard who was nicknamed "The Father of the History of England," wrote about her more than 1300 years ago. You are imagining Professor Dumbledore right now, why?

The Easter rabbit does not make much sense. Where does it come from?

It seems that the rabbit and the hare have their origin in a pagan ritual. It was known that they were especially fertile, so they were associated with the time of Easter rebirth. In German folklore the rabbit was related to the concept of the eternal life of Christian Easter, since they were born with open eyes and people believed that they had been awake all the time.

The Easter Bunny tradition was introduced to the United States by German settlers who arrived in Pennsylvania in the 18th century.

And of course, that's where the chocolate rabbits' tradition comes from nowadays. Currently, more than 90 million of these small chocolate animals are produced each year in the United States.

Why the eggs?

Let's see where the obsession with these oval objects comes from.

Like the Easter rabbit, the eggs represent the new life. In fact, the egg is in itself a symbol of the mystery of life. It has been the center of philosophical debates of famous scholars, such as Plutarch, who reflected on the famous dilemma "What came first, the chicken or the egg?".

The tradition of decorating eggs is part of the celebration of this concept of new life and, once again, it predates Christianity. It has its origin in the Nowruz , the ancestral Persian festival of the new year.

A few years later, in 1873, the chocolate Easter egg appears in the British industrial factories. Since then, people have gone crazy with these chocolate marvels. In 2011, the highest Easter egg in the world was made in Italy. With 7200 kg, it weighed more than an elephant and had a height of 10.39 meters.

There I leave you, with the thought of eating an oval and enormous construction of delicious chocolate. To enjoy!

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How do they celebrate spring in the world? Meet these 8 amazing traditions

Now that spring begins to banish the last gloomy traces of winter, we can finally begin to dream of sunnier days. Part of the beauty of the arrival of spring is the diversity with which they show you how they celebrate spring in the world ... Each country has a unique way of welcoming the new season, be it with festivals, parades or community meals .

Are you curious to know how they celebrate spring in the world? Immerse yourself in the spring and meet some of the best spring traditions from around the world.

1. Water Festival of Songkran, Thailand

This annual festival takes place shortly after the spring equinox. Songkran comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "astrological passage," and is celebrated in Thailand as New Year's Day. In this festival it is a tradition to go to a Buddhist monastery, visit the elderly and, of course, throw water. The northern capital of Chiang Mai is the setting for the most important celebrations, with parties lasting up to six days. The streets are filled with locals and tourists equipped with huge water guns, pressure hoses and buckets, ready to wet anyone who crosses their path. Children, adults and the elderly participate in the tradition, and all of them dance in the streets to the sound of music at full volume.

2. Easter Egg Race of the White House, United States

The Easter egg race of the White House, which is believed to have begun in 1814, takes place every Easter Monday. In this nice tradition, children gather at the White House in Washington DC to roll eggs on the grass using wooden spoons and compete with each other to see who crosses the finish line first. Children who participate in the race can earn Easter eggs and small prizes, so they are usually excited about the idea of ​​getting candy and treats. The party is supervised by the president of the United States and his family, as well as a giant Easter rabbit. The festive and happy spirit of this event and the Easter decoration that floods every corner make it one of the highlights of the year.

3. Holi, north of India

The Holi, one of the most colorful festivals in the world without a doubt, is a Hindu tradition that is celebrated throughout the north of India. It consists of throwing colored powders, which is a way to commemorate the many nuances of the spring season and also events of Hindu mythology. The festival, which usually lasts all day and all night, is a gloriously colorful and lively celebration of the end of winter and the arrival of spring. You can, however, become a little crazy, so it is advisable to do your homework before attending!

4. Nowruz, Central Asia

Nowruz means New (No) day (ruz). Celebrated as the first day of the first month of the Iranian calendar and coinciding with the spring equinox (normally around March 21), this "new day" symbolizes the new life, the new beginnings and the rebirth of nature. Although it differs from one country to another, this celebration usually begins with the cleaning of homes, although it quickly becomes a celebration of bonfires, costumes and family memories that lasts several days until the 13th of the new year, when everyone leaves. home and meet with friends and family to listen to music, dance and eat in the public spaces of the cities.

5. Rolling Cheese Festival, Gloucester, England

On the last Monday of May of each year, the Gloucester rolling cheese festival takes place at Copper's Hill. Just an hour's drive from Bristol , this seemingly harmless event is, in fact, much more dangerous than its name suggests. A cheese wheel is thrown up a (very) steep hill and, a second later, the participants throw themselves behind it. Win the first to cross the finish line. In this intense tradition bruises, bloody knees and broken bones are very common. It's a rough way to welcome spring, but the community proudly follows this 200-year-old tradition that attracts new competitors each year.

6. Cimburijada, Bosnia

The Cimburijada, which can be translated as "scrambled egg festival", commemorates the first day of spring in the Bosnian city of Zenica. People gather at dawn on the banks of the Bosna River, where a popular meal of scrambled eggs is prepared. Friends, family and visitors eat their scrambled eggs together, drink and listen to music to celebrate the first day of spring.

7. Spring equinox in Teotihuacán, Mexico

Every year, thousands of people dressed in white, as tradition dictates, gather in the huge pyramid of Teotihuacán, located about 30 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, to commemorate the spring equinox. It is celebrated annually on March 20 or 21, and many of the participants climb in the morning the 360 ​​steps that lead to the top of the pyramid to approach the energy portals. By raising your arms to the sky and enjoying the warmth of the sun, you absorb enough energy for the whole year.

8. Floriade, Australia

The Floriade began celebrating in 1988, when park manager Peter Sutton and landscape architect Chris Slotemaker De Bruine conceptualized a proposal for a large floral exhibition commemorating the bicentennial of Australia and the 75th anniversary of Canberra. The result was a beautiful and exotic floral exhibition that the local community welcomed so fondly that it became an annual celebration of spring in the country. Every year, thousands of people travel from the neighboring cities of Sydney and Brisbane to admire more than a million flowers in this festival of color, music and horticulture for a month.

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9 reasons to travel to Malta | EF Blog

It is impossible not to fall in love with Malta. The sun shines all year, there are more beautiful beaches than you could wish for, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of options for sports and adventure. Here is a list of reasons to travel to Malta. This list will make you wonder why we do not all live in Malta. Really.

THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES

One of the reasons to travel to Malta more important: the good weather. This Mediterranean country enjoys a very long summer of eight months, so it is never a bad time to enjoy the rustic charm of these islands. From April to November, Malta enjoys temperatures above 30 ° C for much of the year. It is also one of the sunniest places in Europe, with more than 3000 hours of sunshine each year. Even in "winter" you can take a dip in its crystalline waters, or tan on any of its immaculate beaches.

THE BEACHES ARE BEAUTIFUL

Malta has beautiful beaches, too many to mention here. You can bathe in the San Pedro Pool, or have a party with your friends in the golden sands of Ghajn Tuffieha, on the islands of Malta you will find the perfect beach for you. The only problem is that once you have enjoyed the Golden Bay or the isolated inlet of Mgarr ix-Xini, it will be almost impossible for you to leave.

THE BLUE LAKE IS THERE

Malta is made up of three main islands. Enclosed between the two main islands, Malta and Gozo, lies the small island of Comino. The rugged island has a population of only four permanent residents, but it is a favorite spot for locals and tourists looking for pristine landscapes and hidden coves. No trip to Malta is complete without enjoying the blue and lush waters of Blue Lake cumin, one of Malta's many natural pools.

A FIRST NIGHTLIFE

Another one of the Maltese likes to enjoy the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle during the day, but do not make the mistake of thinking that Malta has a quiet nightlife. Not much less. Look beyond the old facades and you will discover that the Maltese know how to make parties with important international DJs, such as Tiesto, who makes passes on the island. One of the places brimming with nightlife is San Julián, an important tourist spot.

OLD HISTORY

The first signs of human life and culture on the island of Malta date back more than 7000 years, before the Egyptian pyramids and the Great Wall of China. It's no wonder that the charm of its streets makes the island look like a picturesque open-air museum. The walled city of Mdina is imbued with a rich and colorful history, dating back some 4000 years. The capital, Valletta, is so beautiful that the entire city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

THE PLACES ARE CHARMING

If you are staying with a Maltese family, you will not be a guest, you will be one of the family. The Maltese population is one of the most welcoming on the planet. They also love languages, English and Maltese are the official languages. A third of the population also speaks Italian.

AND THE FOOD IS THE BEST

Everyone knows that Mediterranean food is one of the tastiest there is. Maltese dishes are a fascinating mix of all the countries that have influenced Malta over the years. Maltese prides itself on its delicious cuisine, in which exquisite dishes based on fish predominate.

COMPACT

One of the advantages of visiting such a small island is that you are never too far from the next adventure. The stunning beaches, the vibrant nightlife and the quiet coves are always within reach and within walking distance. Malta may only be 27 km long and 14 km wide, but it holds a lot of wonders in such a small space.

AND FULL OF ADVENTURES

The cozy waters of Malta make it one of the best diving spots in Europe. Dive through the caves and reefs of Comino to experience the waters of the Mediterranean in its best turquoise blue. Malta is also a paradise for other water sports, such as windsurfing and water skiing. If you are able to get out of the water, you can also do horseback riding and epic mountain biking routes.

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10 Reasons to Visit Toronto

I never thought a city could like me that much. When I was packing to go see a friend in Toronto, I was excited about the meeting, but not too much to know the city of Toronto. How wrong I was, it was very difficult for me to leave there!

Toronto is totally undervalued. I may like it even more than New York. I will explain why you should choose Toronto as your next destination (and take me with you).

1. Their habitants

The first thing I notice when I travel abroad is the warmth of the interaction with the locals. The people of Toronto are, in general, enormously kind, polite and pleasant. They have a warmth that makes you feel instantly at home. In addition, the diversity of the city is incredible, since one of every two inhabitants was born abroad. There it is possible to meet people and cultures from all parts of the world.

Tip: Try to start a conversation with someone at a bar or ask for directions. You'll be surprised how willing people are to talk or help.

2. Food

For me, the hardest thing when I was in Toronto was to choose what to eat. As is logical, the gastronomy of the city reveals its cultural and ethnic diversity. What do you want today? Indian food? China? Greek? How about a big pile of chips, cheese and gravy? The poutine has its origins in the French Canadian province of Quebec, but, being the unofficial national dish of Canada, it is also very popular in Toronto.

Tip : Do not you feel like trying out the poutine ? Wait until three o'clock in the morning. In addition to being delicious, many restaurants serve it late into the night.

3. Infinity of sports

Toronto is a dream for any sports fan. They have a professional team for each season! And, in addition, the tickets for the matches are quite affordable. You can watch the famous Maple Leafs take the ice, go to a Raptor NBA basketball game, or spend all afternoon watching baseball at the Blue Jays stadium. Whatever you do, it will be a good choice.

Tip : Canada's most popular sport is hockey, so tickets to Maple Leafs games can be somewhat expensive. If you want a more affordable alternative, go see the Raptors.

4. Open spaces

The city of Toronto is full of green spaces. There are parks in every corner, and many streets with large, leafy trees that are a real wonder in spring and summer.

Tip: The old city of Toronto is my favorite part of the city. It is full of large parks where you can spend all afternoon.

5. Cinema

Have you seen the TV series Suits ? The movie Bad Girls ? And The Incredible Hulk or Hairspray ? Do you want to know what all these productions have in common? You guessed it, they were all filmed in Toronto. When you recognize the locations of your favorite movie or series, you feel as if you are in their scenes.

Tip: Before you go, read this article about all locations of Toronto shootings .

6. Cleaning

In general, the size of a city is directly related to how dirty it is. Well, Toronto is against that trend and, in fact, it's the cleanest city I've been in. And, although I have not yet visited Vancouver , I would venture to say that it is the cleanest city in Canada.

Advice: Do not mess.

7. Culture

Party all night, sports all day, festivals, concerts ... Toronto is a constant flow of cultural activities.

Tip: If you like board games and coffee, go to Snakes & Lattes .

8. Road trips

One of the best jokes about Toronto is that there is nothing out of Toronto. Ok, that's true up to a point, but with a little dedication and a rental car, you can find great wineries, cabins, waterfalls and pretty villages a few hours away by car.

Tip : Do you fancy a one day trip? Go see the Niagara Falls and finish the day with a walk through the beautiful city of Hamilton.

9. Renowned art and artists

In addition to being a place where great films are made, Toronto is the place of origin of important artists. One of the most loved is Mr. Drake.

The people of Toronto love Drake and what he has done to promote the city. He even opened the hotel The Drake ; do not forget to go see it.

Tip : Drake rarely miss a game for the Raptors. Good time to go to basketball!

10. There are not too many tourists

Unlike other major American cities, Toronto has an extraordinarily low number of tourists. Or maybe the city is so big you can barely notice it. After having been in Barcelona, ​​it was quite a surprise.

Tip : Do typical tourist things. You can really enjoy them without crowds!

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8 Reasons to Visit Seoul

Seoul is on the crest of the wave of creativity. From fashion to food, architecture to art, the city has become a creative paradise for those who seek to make their mark. It is full of people who set trends and who have helped to create a city prepared for the future and that continues to respect its unique past.

 The temples and skyscrapers are mixed throughout the city, and their acclaimed chefs fuse the dishes of yesteryear with new and delicious trends of South Korean cuisine. It is a city designed for the curious, for those who can not sit still, and if you still have doubts, here are eight reasons to visit Seoul and for which Seoul should be your next tourist destination.

1. Dress to impress

Seoul has resurfaced as one of the world's most fashionable cities. Its Fashion Week, which exhibits the latest in urban style of the city's designer nursery, has become an essential event for fans of the sector. This influential event is held twice a year, in March and in October, and is the main event in which emerging and already established South Korean designers present their urban designs to fashion observers.

2. Discover the authentic Gangnam

The world may have only paid attention to Gangnam thanks to the success of Psy's K-pop song, but this modern neighborhood has long been at the forefront of the emergence of Seoul as the creator of international trends. If Seoul is the capital of Asia of the modern, Gangnam is its creative core. It has become the epicenter of Korean pop culture and business, and the district continues to be flooded with international companies. Gangnam also ranks first in Seoul's nightlife. Residents come here to relax after work in the many bars that fill its streets lit with neon lights. During the day, there are plenty of options to occupy time, such as shopping at the Korean boutiques, Lotte World and the Bongeun-sa Buddhist temple.

3. The adventure calls

The capital of South Korea has a population of about 10 million people, but it is not complicated to escape from the crowds and enjoy a large number of outdoor activities. If you want to add a good dose of adventure to your trip, go to the Bukhansen National Park, which is only 45 minutes by subway from downtown Seoul. There you will find hiking trails for all levels, such as the Bukhansanseong route, which leads hikers to the top of the highest mountain in South Korea, Baegundae. There are also several idyllic green spaces scattered throughout the city, including the Seoul Forest. , where you can make the perfect picture of spring cherry blossoms.

4. Eat

Although national music and television series have recently reached the landscape of international pop culture, Korean cuisine has long been a favorite with gourmets. And although there are koreantowns in every corner of the world, the best place to taste the authentic flavor of South Korea, are the streets of Seoul. Koreans do not like boring food and, here in Seoul, you can eat the best dishes of bulgogi , bibimbap and galbi .

5. Go back in time

It may be that the urban skyline of Seoul, always growing, can point to a city that looks to the future, but the city is awash in cultural gems that highlight its fascinating past. Go back in time by visiting the Five Great Palaces located in Jongno and Jung-gu, including the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Changdeokgung Palace, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In other places you will also find perfectly preserved Buddhist temples, such as the famous Jogyesa and Bongeunsa.

6. Find yourself with the future

The constant search for innovation in Seoul has made the city a paradise of technology. It has the fastest internet connection speed in the world, a gigantic Digital Media City, and some of the largest companies in the technology sector, including Samsung. No matter where you come from, you will soon realize that the people of Seoul are already living in the future. From touchscreen mobile phones to tablets, Seoul workers do not just adopt the new technology, they create it.

7. You must know

Seoul has a "work hard, have a lot of fun" mantra that can challenge any city on the planet. When locals sign out after work, they head to places like Gangnam, Hongdae and Itaewon to enjoy a bottle or four of soju , a South Korean drink made with rice. No trip to Seoul is complete without a visit to a noraebang (which means song room). These popular karaoke establishments have been a pillar of Korean culture for decades and are found throughout the city of Seoul. When you feel ready to release your inner rock / pop star, you just have to look for a neon microphone in the window.

8. Go beyond the capital

Seoul is the perfect base to explore all that South Korea has to offer. It takes only one hour by plane to reach the city of Busan, the Miami of South Korea, and the island of Jeju, which is famous for its sunny beaches and volcanic landscapes. There are also excellent transport links to the famous Hwaseong Fortress (a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in Suwon), the Pocheon Art Valley (an idyllic park complex) and the Mangswolsa Mountain Temple (an ancient Buddhist temple of the Fortress). of Namhansanseong).

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East meets the West - Development of Indian Furnishings

Indian craftsmanship has actually always appreciated a fame that has welcomed both respect and also pillage from the earliest days. Whether it is rock deal with holy places or standalone articles, terracotta figurines, fashion jewelry pieces, woodwork or visuals and plastic fine art, the craftsmen from this country have actually always been welcomed by aficionados of charm. At times, however, this addiction with appeal given up energy and also peace of mind-- this propensity led to ornate as well as complicated productions like a wooden throne, for instance, that would have increased the goose-bumps, however would certainly likewise have offered an unpleasant backache. Regional custom and also society contributed to the furthest development of ornamental woodwork-- for palaces, holy places, public properties, works of arts, etc-- however did not generate any sort of utilitarian furnishings of the kind we modern residents of the globe are utilized to. One big reason for this was that consuming was primarily done on flooring, and also sitting and hing on charpoys (easy strand bed with wood blog posts). The primary thrust to furniture property development was provided by foreign influence.

When the Portuguese, the very first Europeans to come to India, arrived, they did not locate any type of familiar furnishings, it was them, as well as later on, the Dutch, the French and also the English, which motivated the structure of residential furniture to accommodate their negotiations. The Indian woodworker ended up being bright in adjusting foreign layouts so that causing in them an aboriginal taste of craftsmanship. Therefore, as Joseph Butler points out in a write-up in Compilation Britannica, "India's area in the past history of furniture is that of an adapter or transformer of imported Western styles rather than a developer of independent styles of its own." It was the play of these influences that gave birth to the Mughal style, the Goanese, the Indo-Dutch style, the use of ebony as well as ivory like Chippendale and therefore Sheraton.

English preponderance given that the 18th century resulted in English impact in furniture designing, so that this became so preferred that even Indian rulers how to became clients (this last tendency might merely be a reflection of the Anglicization of the leaders, of their wish to identify with the ruling class). In the 19th century, the embellishment presumed primacy, divorcing itself once again from utility.

An exotic country with concerning eighty ranges of hardwood readily available for woodwork, India has an aged custom of furniture making. Subsequent to the English influence who grew teak wood as a 'imperial tree' for shipping market (teak is enormously durable to water as well as weather condition), teak wood thought significant appeal for high quality woodwork. Almost all huge short articles were comprised on timber. Royal homes and also rich homes have actually consistently been the standard patrons of the furniture sector, as well as today the imperial palaces scattered across the 4 corners of India feature several of one of the most remarkable instances of native woodwork. Frederick Litchfield's Illustrated Past history of Furniture (1893) discusses several such marvels that still mesmerize. Like both wooden teak doors sent out as gift to the Indian Government and also now kept in the National Museum (Kolkata). Or the shisham timber (rosewood) sculpted window at Amritsar with its looming cornice, ornamental arcs with pillars and also complex deal with the physical body. Royal presents sent to the Queen and the King as well as the Princes likewise revealed a fascination with specifics that is special to India. Also today, much of British royal furniture is of Indian vintage.

In the years given that the British left the furniture industry in India has progressed. Utility so that simpleness obtained primacy over art. Quote factors to consider have actually driven down decoration to the minimum, and therefore cheaper wood varieties have actually become used to satisfy the massive affordable need. Yet, in niche locations the old kinds of furnishings still continue to be crafted. In several places, like Rajasthan, that still has a royal ethos in a Republican India, with its loads of Palaces', the aged kind of furnishings production is still protected. Here, one can take a time travel and therefore find works of an earlier day being crafted with the very same competence. Exported all over the world anywhere antique so that decorative furniture is valued, the Jodhpur furniture forms the focal point of this industry. Nowadays foreign designs are adjusted with local styles that are widely prominent with Western customers. Again we are back to the Portuguese days when designs were an innovative amalgamation of European perceptiveness and Indian workmanship.

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