Showing posts with label American traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American traditions. Show all posts

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Customs, Traditions and Symbols : The Cornucopia

In the USA, since 1863, we have celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November.



Here is a little bit of background information about this national holiday:

POTUS George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation – Thursday, Nov 26, 1789 proclaimed a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer”. (* Source: The Heritage Foundation)


POTUS Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”, to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November, even though, at the time, the country was engaged in the Civil War. (** Source: National Archives)


Now to get the highlight of this post. The cornucopia. I love the cornucopia.

A cornucopia, also called “horn of plenty”, is a symbol of a harvest – usually pictured as a goat’s horn overflowing with various fruits like apples, grapes, oranges, etc.; corn on the cob; pumpkin; and some even have flowers.

In America, the cornucopia is a symbol included in our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. People don’t usually like to break with familiar customs and traditions that have been accepted and practiced for years. But if I could, I would champion a change to the traditional filling of the cornucopia. My horn of plenty would reflect a harvest that included exotic or tropical fruits. Pomegranates, mangoes, kiwis, and pineapples are at the top of my list.


As for vegetables? Haven’t really given them much thought. Maybe some zucchini and a bunch of collard greens, kale or Swiss chard! 

What about you? Ever give any thought to refilling a cornucopia? What fruits and/or veggies and/or flowers would go into your horn of plenty? Don’t you think it makes an excellent gift? A customized cornucopia for a friend or family member. A horn of plenty loaded with fresh fruits and veggies that they like!


* * *

If your country does not celebrate a Thanksgiving Day, I’m sure there is a similar holiday where you take time to give thanks and show appreciation for the life you live. If you don’t use the cornucopia, do you have a symbol that represents the harvest of bountiful blessings of planet earth?




Link of Interest:
Cornucopia – American Thanksgiving


Waving flag image credit: glitter-graphics.com

* * Content first published at Literacy Base on April 9, 2017.



***
***
***

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Chinese Fortune Cookies as American as Apple Pie

The Chinese fortune cookies are not an Asian invention, but rather an American one.  A conclusion based on my extensive research of Chinese history, tradition and culture (i.e. watching a lot of kung fu movies).  There was a story circulated about rebels in the 13th or 14th century, using them to pass secret messages to each other about their war plans to overthrow the Mongols. Pure fiction. But you must admit that plot sure has the makings of an epic saga.



Alas!  The truth is the Chinese fortune cookie is as American as apple pie, and they make great party favors.  


Would you like to make your own homemade fortune cookies?  


Well, you can!

This Sunbeam kitchen accessory is a must-have.





Content originally published at Daily Two Cents on April 30, 2014.



Pomegranate Homemade Fortune Cookies - What Jew Wanna Eat

Homemade Fortune Cookies are easy to make! (Sort of.) Plus, when you make them yourself, you can make them pink! Did y'all have a great NYE? Did you stay at home and pass out before midnight, or frolic around in a glittery dress drinking champagne out of the bottle?