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Blog

Hanukkah Decorations

Posted: 11-26-12 | Parker Flags

As decorations continue to go up this week around many parts of the nation, it is important to note that Christmas is not the only holiday being celebrated this time of year. It is now fairly typical to see a menorah next to a Christmas tree in town squares, as well as blue and white lights and streamers adorning homes and businesses alike. These decorations are all being displayed in order to celebrate Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah sometimes.) Hanukkah is a celebration that remembers the Jewish people’s defeat over their oppressors. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the Jewish people rededicated a temple using oil that was oil meant to last for one day. The oil lasted for 8 days though, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days instead of just one.

There are many various traditional decorations that come along with Hanukkah; however, the most recognizable is probably the Menorah. A Menorah has 8 candles, each representing one day of Hanukkah, this symbolizes the Miracle of the Oil that was previously mentioned.

Another recognizable Hanukkah decoration and tradition is the dreidel. Typically seen as a children’s toy, the dreidel is a spinning top with 4 sides. Each side has a Hebrew letter inscribed on it, when these letters are put together in the proper order, they read “A Great miracle has happened here.” The top can also be used for children to play a game in which prizes are won or lost depending on which side the top lands on.

The colors most closely linked to Hanukkah are blue and white (or at times blue and silver) these can be seen on streamers, in garland, and in general used as the motif for most Hanukkah decorations. These colors are also seen on the Israeli flag, the blue is meant to represent the water, and the white the sky, this is to represent that their God is all around us.

If you have any Hanukkah traditions or decorations that you often use, feel free to leave a comment letting us know what it is, and be sure to check back often to find out more about Parker Flags wide array of streamers, attention flags, and feather flags.