×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
17
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 12°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

Why Greeks traditionally decorate a boat instead of a Christmas Tree

The true origin of a tradition

Newsroom December 25 03:31

To Karavaki

The most traditional symbol you will find in Greece during the holidays is a small boat decorated with lights, usually placed in the main square of a town and close to the more international Christmas tree.

To karavaki, or small boat is rooted in the traditions of a country with a symbiotic relationship with the sea. In fact, on the many Greek islands the Christmas boats remain the most popular ornament of the holiday season.

Agios Nikolaos

Different legends explain the tradition of the Christmas Greek boat. One of them is related to Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), the Patron Saint of Sailors.

See Also:

Lost temple of Hercules discovered off coast of Spain (video)

>Related articles

Winter Solstice 2025: The longest night of the year is coming – When it falls

Mendoni: A new starting point for 21st-century museums to meet challenges and expectations

Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Brussels for the European Council meeting

This saint is celebrated on December 6, the day when many households start decorating their houses for Christmas. Some agree that this is why boats are decorated, in order to honor the saint.

Read more HERE

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#christmas#culture#greece#greek#karavaki#tradition
> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Stavros Niarchos & Charlotte Ford: The wedding that shook a dynasty

December 17, 2025

Britain to rejoin Erasmus from 2027

December 17, 2025

Pappas breaks his silence with a post and continues to provoke: “I reacted wrongly, I will not elaborate on the journalist’s condition”

December 17, 2025

The European Parliament is in favour of the creation of a “Schengen Military Force” for a possible Russian attack

December 17, 2025

Opinion Poll: New Democracy at 29.7% in voting intention, holding a 16.1-point lead over a stagnant PASOK; Gains for Greek Solution and Plevsi

December 17, 2025

Diplomatic Sources: Athens will not participate in a stabilization force in Gaza – Expectations for an expanded 5+1 conference on Cyprus

December 17, 2025

Winter Solstice 2025: The longest night of the year is coming – When it falls

December 17, 2025

Mendoni: A new starting point for 21st-century museums to meet challenges and expectations

December 17, 2025
All News

> Economy

Morgan Stanley: Why Greek equities will continue to lead in 2026

The Greek market will remain on investors' radar in the new year, the investment giant says - How it assesses the upgrade of the Athens Stock Exchange to a developed market, what it says about banks, economy, political stability

December 17, 2025

Kyriakos Pierrakakis: The banking system will play a very important role in the transformation of Greece and Europe

December 17, 2025

State Budget: Primary surplus of €12.6 billion in 11 months

December 17, 2025

Eric Trump to be keynote speaker and Guest of Honor at Davos Lodge/Greek House 2026

December 17, 2025

Incentives for rental housing, clampdown on Airbnb: Who benefits from Mitsotakis’ new housing measures

December 17, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα