Forgive me readers, for I have sinned.
It has been over six weeks since my last confession.
No, actually, I have not had anything to confess because I have been a good boy... all year... honestly, Santa.
Well, with one week to go until Christmas, the Chinese are in full festive spirit. Everywhere you go there are decorations and images of good ol' St Nick plastered on all the doors and windows of the shops and restaurants. Our ex-DoS (Director of Studies) decorated one of the restaurants in traditional red, green and yellow (I always thought it was meant to be red, green and white) which provoked a line of enquiry from one of the Chinese girls as to the origin of the colour scheme. And this, I have to say, left me more than a little bit red-faced, as I did not know.
Fortunately, I was able to stall her long enough to run a quick Google on the BlackBerry and I uncovered an answer: the red represents the blood of Christ; the green represents everlasting life (hence the planting of evergreens in Churchyards); and the white represents light (either candle light or the star that led the three wise men).
At least, this was the best answer that I could find in a short space of time on my trusty mobile. Anyone who can shed further light on the subject please step forward, mouse in hand, and head for the comments link at the end of this post. Who knows? I may have inadvertently altered the future of all Chinese Christmas decoration. I mean, I would hate for them to mistell the story about how "there once lived a great, great man who walked upon this earth, who did many amazing things, who spaketh that all decoration should be in red, green and white... and they called him Benny."
Seriously, though, if anyone can confirm the validity, or otherwise, of my Googled knowledge I would be interested to hear from them.
Staying on a Christmas theme, I am pleased to say that the overdue blog update is due, in part, to the fact that I have no classes today and, hence, a little time on my hands. I am somewhat less pleased that I will be donning a Santa costume for the next two nights to entertain, what always seems like several million, Chinese ankle-biters at their Christmas parties. Somehow, during the "planning phase" of these parties, I drew the Santa straw. I'm not 100% clear as to whether this happened after the sixth or seventh pint of the planning phase but I do recall agreeing to do it and I'm sure that I will enjoy it once I'm there.
And that's about it. There's not much else to report, to be honest. The weather is officially cold now, school carries on regardless of Christmas (we get one day off on 25th), the West continues to get poorer whilst the East gets richer and the sun always shines in Rizhao.
Merry Christmas !!
2 comments:
Hey Benny boy! Bet you made a great santa for the ankle-biters as you so sweetly refer to them - well done!!
Merry Christmas baby bro - talk soon - am on skype now!
lots of love sis xx
I am in no doubt about the truth in the information you googled but if you want to add to that, then the reason for collecting holly at Christmas and making a seasonal wreath is interesting. The holly (green) is for salvation, the white holly blossom is for the purity of Mary and the red holly berries are for blood. The prickles on holly leaves point to swords and sharpness, like the pain and sorrow in the life of Christ.
Would love to have seen you in the Father Christmas outfit - how many cushions did you need for your "belly"?!
Much love as always, Mum xx
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