what is thanksgiving? what does it symbolize?

Answer 1

TURKEY!
*chants* 'Turkey turkey turkey turkey....'

Answer 2

American Thanksgiving was a religious holiday (that has since become vernacular) that had roots in Celtic Paganism that was celebrated at the Harvest moon (autumn equinox). It has always been associated with harvest time and is celebrated in similar fashion by different cultures. Brought to the Americas by English settlers in Virginia and Plimouth, it symbolizes for us the birth of our heritage on North American soil. We tend to lean to the Pilgrims in Plimouth for easy symbolism because they were friendly (allies) with the local Wampanoag rather than heated enemies with the Powhatan in Virginia. Therefore, they were thankful for peace and prosperity rather than the English settlers in Virginia who "celebrated" their early Thanksgivings under different circumstances. In American culture, it first was our harvest feast and has since become to symbolize a day of family and gluttony.

Answer 3

Thanksgiving is an American holiday which celebrates the Native Americans teaching the pilgrims how to leave in America, before the pilgrims killed them, took most of their land, tried to make them exactly like us and trying to wipe out their culture, and the land we gave them back was small terrible land.
It symbolizes hardships the pilgrims had and them being thankful and thanking God, ect. It's feast that celebrates us being able to live here.

Answer 4

On one hand, part of it harkens back to the harvest feast the native americans had for hundreds of years before the pilgrims ever arrived. On the other hand, the whites government adopted it as a celebration of the establishment of... if I remember correctly, the constitution, or the bill of rights, one of those. Has nothing to do with fun times between the pilgrims and native americans, and nothing to do with religion.

Answer 5

Thanksgiving symbolizes the joy of loving, caring, sharing. It is all about togetherness and merry making. The festival stands for the 'Oneness' of people. It epitomizes peace, harmony and union. People world over thank the Lord almighty for all the blessings and material possessions bestowed on them.

Answer 6

It's more a native harvest fest. It truly symbolizes the generosity of the native Americans but many try to force their religion into it.

Answer 7

it was a celebration for every battle won over the Indians, there where so many celebrations that the president of the united states decide that this had to stop, he decide to celebrate all killings of the Indians once a year, to do this they the white people planed a reunion with the Indians, they told the Indians that a big dinner have been prepared in their honor to celebrate the peace between white invaders and native americans, this was the most horrendous crime against the real americans ((the Indians))

Answer 8

Thanksgiving Day is a traditional North American holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. But really we all just want to eat to much!

Answer 9

It symbolizes survival. The pilgrims survived with the help of Indians (Native Americans), and they came together and shared foods and friendship with one another. They gave thanks to God for giving them the needs to survive in this harsh land, as it was at the time.

Answer 10

When the pilgrims invited the indians over to thank God together.

Answer 11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving