What Do Christmas And Japanese New Year Have In Common?

7. Bells

Bells are an enduring Christmas symbol, both in the form of church bells ringing on Christmas morning and as the “sleigh bells” on Santa Claus’ sled. The main purpose of church bells is to call people to mass but they also have the function of signifying a celebration, as well as the more Pagan concept of warding off evil. In Buddhist temples in Japan, the great bells are rung with a very specific purpose in mind on New Year’s Eve. Starting at midnight, the priests will ring the great temple bell 108 times in order to rid people’s hearts of the 108 desires that cause suffering according to Buddhism.