Christmas
Christmas Day is a holiday that marks the birth of Jesus, the central
figure of Christianity. Aspects of celebration may include gift-giving,
Christmas trees, display of Nativity sets, church attendance, the Santa
Claus myth, and family gatherings. Churches using the Gregorian calendar
observe the holiday on December 25. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches
celebrate on December 25 by the Julian calendar, which currently
corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. These dates are merely
traditional; the great majority of scholars agree that the actual
birthdate of Jesus is unknown.
In Western culture, the holiday is characterized by the exchange of gifts
among friends and family members, some of the gifts being attributed to
Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Basil
and Father Frost). However, various local and regional Christmas
traditions are still practiced, despite the widespread influence of
American, British and Australian Christmas motifs disseminated by film,
popular literature, television, and other media.
Kilims
Kilims are flat weave rugs originally produced in a village or tribal
environment. The designs of kilims tend to be geometric often
incorporating various symbolic motifs. A prominent characteristic of kilim
rugs is the slits along the warp of the rug wherever there is a change of
color. Kilims were used to make many functional things such as storage
bags, salt bags, grain bags, saddle blankets, pillows, even cradles .
Kilims were also woven as treasures to be dowry pieces or to mark the
birth of a child. These were saved or used only on special occasions.
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