×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
17
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

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

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

Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Brussels for the European Council meeting

December 17, 2025

Georgina Rodriguez: “It was the least he could do,” she commented on Ronaldo’s $3 million engagement ring

December 17, 2025

Nikos Pappas removed from the European Parliament Group – Facing expulsion from SYRIZA after a violent attack on Nikos Giannopoulos

December 17, 2025

Farmers are being paid normally after the technical issue with contribution deductions

December 17, 2025

Strasbourg incident: SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas involved in confrontation with a journalist

December 17, 2025

Inside the Maximos Mansion: Mitsotakis’ informal gathering with ND MPs, symbolism, and subtle political messages

December 17, 2025
All News

> Greece

Farmers are being paid normally after the technical issue with contribution deductions

The technical problem in the OPEKEPE payment system, which had caused a temporary deduction of ELGA contributions without the subsidies being credited, was gradually resolved from 12:00. Payments for the Redistributive Aid started in the morning, followed by the settlement of the Basic Aid

December 17, 2025

Strasbourg incident: SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas involved in confrontation with a journalist

December 17, 2025

How the boat carrying the Greek Escobar’s cocaine was caught, the roles of the network, and the staggering €100 million profits

December 17, 2025

Exhibition by painter Giorgos Gavriil in Paphos “shut down” amid reactions to images of Christ and the Virgin Mary

December 17, 2025

AI Cameras begin recording traffic violations: where they are in Attica

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