Harvest Traditions Around The World

The world is vast, filled with billions of people who approach the same holiday in different ways. That’s especially true of Thanksgiving, an occasion that’s celebrated in countries throughout the world. While there are many customs rooted in American tradition, there are just as many cultures associated with the harvest season that stem from other parts of the world. Here are a few locations where Thanksgiving is celebrated and how flowers and plants play an integral role in some of them.

Germany

Erntedankfest is the harvest festival of thanks in Germany. The religious festival is traditionally celebrated in early October and offers people the chance to worship in church, feast on delicious foods, listen to music, and watch parades and processions. Décor for the occasion is typically lavish, with bountiful cornucopias of fruits, vegetables, and bread artfully arranged. Later, these foods may be donated to an organization for people in need. Flowers are often included in these decorative installations. Elements like wreaths and chrysanthemums may be added to artisanal food displays, for example. Sometimes gardens are carpeted with decorative flower formations, yielding bright and elegant designs.

Japan

Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated every November in Japan. This is an opportunity for individuals to reflect on the hard work provided by laborers year-round and to give thanks for their efforts. Elaborate floral arrangements are often part of the celebrations. These are often highly artisanal in nature, with soft, muted, natural tones, mixed blooms, and interesting textures. Flowers are highly prized in Japan, offering rich history and symbolism that are intricately tied to the nation’s unique heritage. It’s also considered a sign of deep respect to give flowers. The blooms are also a powerful reminder that everyone is connected to nature. Labor Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful occasion to put many of the most elaborate bouquets on display.

China

The China Harvest Moon Festival is a festive period in China encompassing three days of celebration, merriment, and appreciation. The custom, once upon a time, was to give offerings to the moon, and people often say prayers and chant as they express their gratitude. Today, however, that appreciation is shown in a different way. Families gather with one another and feast on moon cakes, children play and dance, holiday lanterns are brought out in honor of the occasion, and flowers are exchanged as an expression of happiness, love, friendship, and honor.

Norfolk Island

The people on this Australian territory, situated in the Pacific Ocean, celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of November. Residents of the island have a late 19th-century American named Isaac Robinson to thank for the tradition. He was inspired to decorate an area church with lemons and fresh greenery, inviting people to join him in the celebrations. The tradition stuck, and today people continue to decorate churches lavishly. The altar is often adorned with colorful flowers, produce, and stalks of corn, lending the presentation a bountiful appearance, not unlike the beautiful arrangements spotted on centerpieces.

Nature plays an important role in many Thanksgiving celebrations held around the world. Mother Nature’s gifts alone rank high on the list of blessings for which people are grateful, so it makes sense to incorporate her beauty as much as possible. Whether placed on a tabletop or at the altar in a church, flowers have a calming and grounding influence on Thanksgiving celebrations.