One of the most fascinating things about models is that they come from all over the world, from countries large and small, each with unique holiday traditions.
India
Starting December 21, India’s Hindus celebrate Pancha Ganapti, a five-day festival dedicated to the five-faced elephant god Ganesha, patron of the arts and guardian of culture. Much like Christmas, gifts and cards are exchanged between loved ones, with feasts or picnics to celebrate—but no tree or any kind of decorations are needed to take part in the fun. Children prepare trays of sweets, fruits, and incense to offer up to Pancha Ganapti each day of the festival, and chants, songs, and Bhajans (devotional songs) are sung to praise the god. Gifts are given to the children each day, who then place the gifts before the god, only to open all of them on the fifth day. We can’t help but picture mini Padma Lakshmi and Lakshmi Menon bursting with anticipation on the last day of the tradition to open their gifts!
Korea
Like many countries around the world, Korea has adopted the traditions of Christmas, but it is the winter solstice which really gives Koreans a cause to celebrate. Known as the Dong Zhji Festival, it’s celebrated on or around December 21, the shortest day of the year. Koreans and other East Asian countries believe this is a momentous occasion because once the days start to grow longer, more sunshine will attract optimism into their lives. Families make colorful Tang Yuan (glutinuous rice balls) to symbolize reunion, with each family member receiving one large ball with several smaller ones. Tracing back to the ancient Chinese belief in yin and yang, this is a celebration of balance and harmony in life. Aside from buying loved ones gifts, Koreans also make sure to wear new clothes to visit their families. We think it’s safe to say that Hye Park, Hyoni Kang, Han Jin, and Lee Hyun were the most stylish at their family parties!
Israel
Known as the Festival of Lights, the tradition of Hannukah (literally meaning “dedication” in Hebrew) dates back over 2,000 years ago when the Temple of Jerusalem was rededicated to the Jewish people after its desecration by the Syrian army of King Antiochus IV Epsphanes. The Jews had thought they had only enough oil to keep the Temple lit for two days, but it ended up lasting eight days and nights, during which time the Jews celebrated. Today, the nine candles of the menorah are used to represent this time in history: Eight candles are lit from left to right to commemorate each day the Temple was lit, while the ninth candle—the shammus, located in its center—is used to light the other candles.
Because of oil’s significance to the holiday, fried foods are common eats at meals during Hanukah; latkes (potato pancakes) are one of the specialties as are jelly doughnuts. And it tickles us pink to picture a little Bar Refaeli sitting down to spin the dreidel!
