the tradition of sending apples on Christmas Eve is very popular with many young people in China. For many lovers in love, they often send an apple to express their best wishes to each other, but it seems that only Chinese people send apples on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve in people's hands quietly conveys the 'fruit of peace', at the same time, it also conveys a good blessing. What is the origin of sending apples on Christmas Eve?
The origin of sending apples at Christmas comes from Germany and Czech Republic.
In Germany, it is said that Santa Claus dressed as a saint child put nuts and apples in children's shoes. He traveled around in a two wheeled carriage to observe people's behavior, especially children. If he behaved well, he would get many prizes, such as apples, nuts, sugar, etc. A bad boy needs a whip. Parents have used this legend to encourage their children to obey and give them apples to praise their children.
In the Czech tradition of Christmas, apple cutting is a prediction for the coming year. They cut the apple. If they can see the apple core for the first time, it indicates good luck for the next year. If they don't, it indicates bad luck for the next year.
Why does China send apples on Christmas Eve?
It is understood that 'Pingan fruit' is made up of imported apples with bright colors and good-looking appearance, most of which are red snake fruit and green snake fruit. Of course, domestic Red Fuji apples are also packaged as' Pingan fruit '. It is said that "Ping'an fruit" symbolizes peace and peace. The reason why "apple" is regarded as the first choice of "Ping'an fruit" is to take the sound of "apple".
It is said that the fruit merchants dress up "Ping An fruit" inspired by young people. In the beginning, some young people bought one or two imported apples, then took them to the gift shop to pack them and prepared to give them to their good friends on Christmas Eve. This "business opportunity" was immediately captured by smart businessmen.
Many teenagers are interested in this new thing. They all think it's worth 5 yuan to give a gift with the meaning of "safety" to their friends. It seems that Christmas Eve in people's hands quietly conveys the 'fruit of peace', at the same time, it also conveys a good blessing.
However, it is said that the custom of delivering the fruit on Christmas Eve is unique to China. Because Chinese people pay more attention to homophony, such as the wedding night, put peanut red dates and lotus seeds under the quilt, which means early (date) birth of a baby. Christmas Eve is the night before Christmas, Christmas is December 25, and Christmas Eve is December 24. Apple is the same as Ping An, so Chinese people use the auspicious meaning of Apple Ping An. So there was the custom of sending apples on Christmas Eve. Send apple to represent to send blessing to accept the peace fruit of the people in the new year peace, and derived a girl in Christmas to send boyfriend apple, wish him peace, also wish their love between peace and eternal meaning.
There are three origins of eating apples on Christmas Eve:
1、 Spread from Chinese College Students
The time is about the mid-1980s, and the location is Guangzhou or Wuhan. These people were the favored ones at that time. They had such learning opportunities, contacted some foreign students, foreign teachers, and understood some foreign cultural traditions, so they also had Christmas, but they understood Christmas as the new year of foreigners. They added the traditional elements of China in this festival. Eating apples on Christmas Eve meant peace and security 。
2、 From overseas students in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
The time is about the early 1980s, and the location is Guangzhou or Xiamen. At the beginning of reform and opening up, there were not many overseas students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and there were not many materials in Chinese society. Some of them had the habit of Christmas, but they had no turkey, no Christmas meal, and they could not buy anything with money. Apple is the only fruit on the market in December, so they eat apples to celebrate. It means to be safe in the new year.
3、 From Apple vendors
The time is not clear. It is said that in the mid-1990s, the location was basically all over China. The reason is that a large number of foreign fruits flowed into the Chinese market, the price was cheap, and the apples produced locally were in short supply, so the apple sellers sold apples on Christmas Eve. So the Chinese tradition of eating apples on Christmas Eve came into being.
How to choose apples? Pay attention to the following points:
1. Round shape without deformity;
2. Moderate hardness and softness;
3. The epidermis is rough and sweet, but there is no spot, depression, etc;
4. A little yellow indicates maturity, while a little green indicates immature;
5. Of course, we should choose a bright red talent to celebrate.