×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
11
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 14°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

Mitsotakis: A day of pride for Greece, the government, and all citizens with the election of Pierrakakis

Chicken Parmigiana – The authentic recipe for Italian-American chicken

Christodoulides to Khan: We lost 2.5 years, the EU can pave the way for a solution

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

Christos Nikolopoulos: “Paschalis Terzis sang a new song for me — we will hear it soon”

December 11, 2025

Mitsotakis: A day of pride for Greece, the government, and all citizens with the election of Pierrakakis

December 11, 2025

Chicken Parmigiana – The authentic recipe for Italian-American chicken

December 11, 2025

Kyriakos Pierrakakis unanimously elected President of the Eurogroup – After the first indicative vote, the Belgian candidate withdrew

December 11, 2025

EODY: 104 new Covid-19 admissions and 7 new deaths in the last week

December 11, 2025

Christodoulides to Khan: We lost 2.5 years, the EU can pave the way for a solution

December 11, 2025

Producers and farmers distribute products to citizens at the “green lights” to apologize for inconvenience – Watch video

December 11, 2025

Great Greek wines at the Masters of wine auction at Sotheby’s

December 11, 2025
All News

> Greece

EODY: 104 new Covid-19 admissions and 7 new deaths in the last week

Increasing positivity for influenza in the community - Two new severe cases

December 11, 2025

Producers and farmers distribute products to citizens at the “green lights” to apologize for inconvenience – Watch video

December 11, 2025

New scam with alleged emails from the Ministry of Development for “free holiday package”

December 11, 2025

“I gave first aid but he had multiple injuries”: Friend’s heartbreaking post about the fatal crash on Vouliagmeni Avenue

December 11, 2025

Florina municipality declared in a state of emergency after storm Byron

December 11, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα