Behavior, which can be defined as the way a person acts or does things, can be shaped by cultural norms and values. In Germany, for example, not cleaning your plate at the end of a meal can be considered impolite, but in the United States it is not shamed against if you do not clean your plate. This example can shape behavior by either being thankful for what you have been given or greedy by not finishing your meal. These differences and similarities can not only be seen in customs, but also in holidays. There are a few holidays in Germany that are different than in the United States; such as, Dreikönigsfest, but Weihnachten, which is called Christmas in the United States, and Sankt Martinstag, which is similar to Halloween, are two of some
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It marks the end of the Christmas season and if you have not taken your decorations down yet January 6th is the last day to do it or else you can be cursed. This holiday represents the Magi’s, the three Wise Men, who went to visit baby Jesus. The few countries that celebrate this holiday have special church services that people may attend, where a crib can be seen and the children learn about the three Wise Men and sometimes act out the Christmas story. Frankincense is burnt to clean out homes and stables and the smoke is left to spread throughout the house and stable. It is common to see 20*C+M+B+17 written above doorways, which represents the star of Bethlehem, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, the three Wise Men, Casper, Melchior and Balthasar, and the numbers of the new year. This is written in …show more content…
St. Martin, who was first a soldier because of his father’s high ranking in the Imperial Horse Guard, became a Christian at a young age. During war, he encountered a beggar in the cold with no clothes. Martin took off his cloak and cut it in half with his sword. While he was sleeping at night he had a vision of Christ in which he said, “Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me.” He became engulfed in the Christian faith and even though he declined the job he was named Bishop in the city of Tours. To celebrate Saint Martin towns usually have parades called Martinszug where children carry lanterns and sing songs and it is usually led by a man on a horse dressed up as St. Martin in soldier attire. The parade ends at a bonfire where sweets are handed out and sometimes kids go door to door to get goods also. On this day duck is usually served, which used to be geese, and this tradition comes from many thought of explanations; including, Martin trying to hide with the geese, federal taxes being paid in geese and the end of the 40-day fast for Catholics. Halloween and Sankt Martinstag can be said to be similar because of the lanterns that are made by children in Germany and the pumpkins that are made in America. Also, kids go door to door to receive treats which they do in both
It marks the end of the Christmas season and if you have not taken your decorations down yet January 6th is the last day to do it or else you can be cursed. This holiday represents the Magi’s, the three Wise Men, who went to visit baby Jesus. The few countries that celebrate this holiday have special church services that people may attend, where a crib can be seen and the children learn about the three Wise Men and sometimes act out the Christmas story. Frankincense is burnt to clean out homes and stables and the smoke is left to spread throughout the house and stable. It is common to see 20*C+M+B+17 written above doorways, which represents the star of Bethlehem, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, the three Wise Men, Casper, Melchior and Balthasar, and the numbers of the new year. This is written in …show more content…
St. Martin, who was first a soldier because of his father’s high ranking in the Imperial Horse Guard, became a Christian at a young age. During war, he encountered a beggar in the cold with no clothes. Martin took off his cloak and cut it in half with his sword. While he was sleeping at night he had a vision of Christ in which he said, “Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me.” He became engulfed in the Christian faith and even though he declined the job he was named Bishop in the city of Tours. To celebrate Saint Martin towns usually have parades called Martinszug where children carry lanterns and sing songs and it is usually led by a man on a horse dressed up as St. Martin in soldier attire. The parade ends at a bonfire where sweets are handed out and sometimes kids go door to door to get goods also. On this day duck is usually served, which used to be geese, and this tradition comes from many thought of explanations; including, Martin trying to hide with the geese, federal taxes being paid in geese and the end of the 40-day fast for Catholics. Halloween and Sankt Martinstag can be said to be similar because of the lanterns that are made by children in Germany and the pumpkins that are made in America. Also, kids go door to door to receive treats which they do in both