Why do Italians eat only Seafood on Christmas eve? Where did this Tradition come from and when did it start?

Question

Someone once told me it was in the bible - but I really don't think so.
And why does this seem to only be a tradition with Italians?
How did this start?

Answer 1

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as La Vigilia is a meatless meal that consists of, typically, seven different seafood dishes. The components to the meal are similar for most families as there are always some seven combinations of: anchovies, sardines, dried salt cod, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, oysters, and clams. It is not JUST seafood though. In the mix are pastas, vegetables, baked goods, and the pride-filled homemade wine.

The exact origin and symbolism of the feast is not known. Many claim it is derived from religion — the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven deadly sins or the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to make the journey to Bethlehem. Others say the number 7 can represent the seven hills of Rome, the seven winds of Italy or the seven wonders of the world. Your friend may have been taught that it symbolizes the fish and loaves of bread that Jesus used to feed thousands in the Bible at Matthew 14:15 - 21 and Matthew 15:32 - 38.

Answer 2

I'm Italian (Sicilian actually) and we have the 7 fish dinner every Christmas Eve. There are a couple of different rumors as to how the tradition got started:

1) Christ was born in a manger and the animals kept him warm. Out of respect for the animals that witnessed the birth of Jesus, they are not killed for Christmas dinner, hence no beef, chicken or pork for Christmas Eve.

2) I believe there is a line in the Bible about the "7 Seas bowing down" before Christ and offering up their bounty as a gift. Therefore, on Christmas Eve, the 7 fishes represent the 7 Seas and Christ's dominion over heaven and earth. There's no hard and fast rule about which 7 fish/seafood you eat.

3) The tradition of eating fish or no meat on Friday's during Lent was tied to the idea of the apostles being fishermen. Because fish and fishermen are closely tied with Christ, this tradition went from Easter and eating fish instead of meat on Fridays as a way to represent sacrifice to eating 7 different fishes at Christmas as a way to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the bounty that God provides.

This tradition is more common in southern/coastal Italy and in Sicily because there is a strong fishing industry there.

Answer 3

It must be something like the British drinking tea at 5 o'clock every day! Not everybody does! I'm Italian but I've never done that and don't know anybody doing it. There are certainly people who do eat seafood for Christmas but not necessarely on the Eve. Sorry I don't know where it comes form, and when or in which Italian region it started. Best wishes!

Answer 4

The tradition you mentioned is from southern Italy.
I'm from northern Italy and I eat meat on Christmas' eve.
Some areas of northern Italy have some different fishes on 24th December, it isn't because of religion but because their region has the sea, and they don't call it ''the feast of 7 fishes'', I've never heard such thing until I started reading the web.

Answer 5

My brother-in-law is 100% Italian & he eats a traditional Xmas dinner. His parents came here from Italy & before he got married, their traditional meal was Italian.

Answer 6

All fruits are fresh vegetables. A "vegetable" is a plant, any part of which is employed for food.

Answer 7

In the superstore, fruits are usually chosen far too soon. Some are rocks, many are bitter. Some of the fruit and vegetables are typical right (zucchini, onions, garlic, lettuce, greens, and a few others) so I'd have to go with vegetables.

Answer 8

i'm italian and it isn't an italian tradition

we eat lamb or other kind of meat on christmas eve

Answer 9

acadia