Celebrations
This December Buddhist holiday celebrates the Buddha reaching enlightenment
What is Bodhi Day?
This island nation, known for sushi and anime, is located in East Asia
What is Japan?
During Bodhi Day observances, many Buddhist monks wear robes in this traditional color associated with simplicity and renunciation
What is saffron/yellow/orange
During China's Dongzhi Festival, families often celebrate by eating these warm, round rice balls
What are tangyuan?
During Bodhi Day, Buddhists meditate under this tree, considered sacred because the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath it
What is the Bodhi tree?
Many AAPI communities incorporate Christmas traditions, but at its core the holiday marks the birth of this central figure of Christianity
Who is Jesus?
This South Asian country is home to the Taj Mahal and over a billion people
What is India?
During Japanese end-of-year celebrations in December, formal visits to shrines sometimes include this traditional garment worn for special occasions
During Korea’s Winter Solstice, families eat this warm red bean porridge, believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year
What is patjuk?
Who is Lono?
Christmas is widely celebrated in the Philippines, which celebrates Christmas in these months
What are the "Ber" months (September-December)?
This landlocked Himalayan country, bordered by India and China, is known as the birthplace of Buddhism's founder
During Christmas services in the Philippines, participants at Misa de Gallo often wear this light, embroidered traditional shirt made from pineapple fibers
What is the barong tagalog
This square-shaped glutinous rice cake, filled with mung beans and pork and wrapped in dong leaves, is traditionally eaten during Tết and sometimes during Winter Solstice ancestor rituals
What is bánh chưng?
In the Philippines, this bright star is a common Christmas decoration symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem
What is the parol?
The season that honors the Hawaiian deity Lono and marks that start of the wet season
What is the Makahiki season
This West Asian country, historically known as Persia, is home to ancient sites like Persepolis
What is Iran?
During the December solstice period, some Vietnamese families performing ancestral rituals may wear this long, elegant tunic over trousers
What is the áo dài?
What is puto bumbong?
In Japan, this fragrant citrus fruit is used in baths and decorations during the solstice to symbolize health and protection
What is yuzu?
The 5 countries where the winter's solstice is celebrated
What are China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam?
Made up of nearly 900 Islands, this Pacific Islander country includes Chuuk, Yap, Kosrae, and Pohnpei
What are the Federated States of Micronesia?
Some Native Hawaiian communities honoring Makahiki season incorporate this traditional wrapped garment, often worn at cultural ceremonies and dances
What is a pāʻū or malo?
During Makahiki celebrations honoring Lono, Hawaiians prepare this pounded taro dish, often eaten at feasts alongside fresh fish and other offerings
What is poi?
The appearance of this star cluster signals the start of Makahiki and symbolizes the beginning of the season
What is Makali'i or the Pleiades