Gift Meanings (outside USA)
Japanese Lacquerware (urushi)
Japanese Lacquerware, also known as urushi, is a treasured art form in the East and West. It likely began use as a protective and decorative coating six thousand years ago. Lacquer is derived from the aged sap of the lacquer or urushi tree, and has been called one of the first paints and glues.... »
Yin-Yang
The yin-yang is a symbol that represents the two great opposite but complementary forces at work in the cosmos. Yin represents things that are female, cold, dark, passive power, earth, rain, soft, evil, black, small, even (numbers). Yang represents masculinity, light, and warmth, heaven, sunshine, hard, good, white, and large. Together the interplay of... »
Bûche de Noël
Back in Napoleon’s time, winter drafts were thought to cause disease. So Napoleon mandated that all chimneys be closed in the winter to prevent drafts. The French were no longer able to celebrate with a Yule Log in their hearths. French bakers instead created a chocolate frosted, sponge cake that literally looked like a... »
Yule Log
The Yule Log most likely began as part of pagan ritual related to the Winter Solstice. It was felt that burning a log would keep evil spirits away, over the extended period of darkness. As Christianity became more commonly adopted, it simply became associated with the Christmas celebration. Traditionally men would go out into the... »
Gift Wrapping in Japan
Wrapping a gift can be considered an art form in some cultures. For example, in Japan, there are several different kinds of handmade paper, such as Noriire, Minogami and Hanshi, and a cord called a Mizuhiki that are traditionally tied around a gift. For formal occasions, it is good to use two sheets of... »