×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Monday
26
Jan 2026
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

Ioulia Karapataki to headline Antipodes & Greek Fest at Darling Harbour

Stop to the ecological crime in Milos: Construction halted, Transparency Authority intervenes under Papastavrou’s orders

Karystianou’s premiere on Greek-Turkish relations: “Tell us the agenda of your meeting with Erdogan so citizens can judge whether it should take place!”

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

Ioulia Karapataki to headline Antipodes & Greek Fest at Darling Harbour

January 26, 2026

Trump Doctrine “with me or out in the cold”: Europe in a difficult position, called to make critical decisions

January 26, 2026

Farm Life, Elevated: 21 Agritourism Retreats Across Greece

January 26, 2026

The EU-India trade deal is concluded – Why it’s called “the mother of all agreements”

January 26, 2026

Stop to the ecological crime in Milos: Construction halted, Transparency Authority intervenes under Papastavrou’s orders

January 26, 2026

Karystianou’s premiere on Greek-Turkish relations: “Tell us the agenda of your meeting with Erdogan so citizens can judge whether it should take place!”

January 26, 2026

Iranian authorities arrest protesters hospitalized in hospitals, UN official says

January 26, 2026

Europe caught between a rock and a hard place over LNG: “We replaced one massive dependency with another”

January 26, 2026
All News

> Politics

Stop to the ecological crime in Milos: Construction halted, Transparency Authority intervenes under Papastavrou’s orders

Three actions by the Minister of Environment aim to put a stop to the construction works for the expansion of the White Coast in Mytakas, Milos

January 26, 2026

Karystianou’s premiere on Greek-Turkish relations: “Tell us the agenda of your meeting with Erdogan so citizens can judge whether it should take place!”

January 26, 2026

Florides: The Paraskevopoulos law released murderers, robbers, rapists, drug dealers and 80% returned to serious crime

January 26, 2026

Mitsotakis to Cabinet: I propose a special three-seat constituency for Greeks abroad

January 26, 2026

Mitsotakis: Europe must remain united and maintain channels of cooperation with the US, even in times of tension – We seek an active role in Gaza

January 25, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα