Why do people eat apples on Christmas Eve?
Explanation one for eating apples on Christmas Eve:
It came from overseas students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. It was around the early 1980s, in Guangzhou or Xiamen. At that time, reform and opening up had just begun, and there were few overseas students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The material conditions in Chinese society were not abundant. Some of them had the habit of celebrating Christmas, but there were no turkeys or Christmas feasts. Even if they had money, they couldn't buy much. At that time, only apples were available on the market, so they ate apples to celebrate. The meaning was that in the new year, everything would be safe and peaceful.
Explanation two for eating apples on Christmas Eve:
It spread among Chinese college students. It was around the middle of the 1980s, in Guangzhou or Wuhan. These people were the "top talents" of their time. They had the opportunity to study and came into contact with some foreign students and teachers, learning about foreign cultural traditions. Thus, they also celebrated Christmas, but they understood it as the New Year of foreigners. They added traditional Chinese elements to this festival. Eating apples on Christmas Eve meant "peace and safety." There are multiple versions. One says you need to ask 24 different surnames for 24 apples. Another says you should buy 24 apples from 24 different places. Another version says you need six apples, three red and three green, etc.
It came from overseas students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. It was around the early 1980s, in Guangzhou or Xiamen. At that time, reform and opening up had just begun, and there were few overseas students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The material conditions in Chinese society were not abundant. Some of them had the habit of celebrating Christmas, but there were no turkeys or Christmas feasts. Even if they had money, they couldn't buy much. At that time, only apples were available on the market, so they ate apples to celebrate. The meaning was that in the new year, everything would be safe and peaceful.
Explanation two for eating apples on Christmas Eve:
It spread among Chinese college students. It was around the middle of the 1980s, in Guangzhou or Wuhan. These people were the "top talents" of their time. They had the opportunity to study and came into contact with some foreign students and teachers, learning about foreign cultural traditions. Thus, they also celebrated Christmas, but they understood it as the New Year of foreigners. They added traditional Chinese elements to this festival. Eating apples on Christmas Eve meant "peace and safety." There are multiple versions. One says you need to ask 24 different surnames for 24 apples. Another says you should buy 24 apples from 24 different places. Another version says you need six apples, three red and three green, etc.
What is the meaning of giving apples on Christmas Eve?
Giving apples on Christmas Eve represents peace and harmony
"Peace Fruit" is made by decorating imported apples, which are usually red or green. Of course, some people also wrap domestic Red Fuji apples to make them look like "Peace Fruits."
It is said that "Peace Fruit" symbolizes peace and harmony. The reason why apples were chosen as the preferred "Peace Fruit" is due to the sound of the word "apple." On Christmas Eve, exchanging apples is because the Chinese pay attention to homophones. For example, during the wedding night, red dates, peanuts, osmanthus seeds, and melon seeds are thrown on the bed, symbolizing "having a son early."
The "ping" in "apple" is the same as the "ping" in "peace," so the Chinese associate apples with the auspicious meaning of "peace." This led to the new custom of giving apples on Christmas Eve.
"Peace Fruit" is made by decorating imported apples, which are usually red or green. Of course, some people also wrap domestic Red Fuji apples to make them look like "Peace Fruits."
It is said that "Peace Fruit" symbolizes peace and harmony. The reason why apples were chosen as the preferred "Peace Fruit" is due to the sound of the word "apple." On Christmas Eve, exchanging apples is because the Chinese pay attention to homophones. For example, during the wedding night, red dates, peanuts, osmanthus seeds, and melon seeds are thrown on the bed, symbolizing "having a son early."
The "ping" in "apple" is the same as the "ping" in "peace," so the Chinese associate apples with the auspicious meaning of "peace." This led to the new custom of giving apples on Christmas Eve.
Introduction to the legend of giving apples on Christmas Eve
There is a legend that if you collect 48 one-yuan coins and buy an apple on Christmas Eve to give to someone you love, you can get true love. Buying a magical apple for a good friend on Christmas Eve ensures that your friendship will last forever. Buying an apple for yourself on Christmas Eve, making a wish at midnight, and then taking a big bite, your wish will definitely come true.
