The humble Christmas tree is often one of the first things that comes to people’s minds when you mention Christmas decorations or the holiday season. But why is the Christmas tree so important and what is the history behind this most pertinent of holiday symbols? Here is a look at this festive tradition.
History of the Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is an evergreen conifer, usually a spruce or fir, that is used as a decoration to mark the Christmas period. It has its origins in Germany and is associated with St. Boniface. The custom originally developed in modern day Latvia and Estonia, as well as early modern day Germany, when people began bringing the tree indoors to decorate it.
It gained popularity beyond Lutheran Germany amongst the upper classes of the surrounding areas. Moravian Christians illuminated the trees with candles, which were later replaced with electric lights after the advent of electricity.
The lighting of candles is sometimes associated with the 16th century reformer Martin Luther who is said to have first added lights to an evergreen tree.
Nowadays artificial trees are popular in many parts of the world. Visit https://www.amazingchristmas.com.au/christmas-trees/ to see some wonderful examples.
Evergreen Trees Symbolize the Renewal of Life
Pagans and Christians alike have long used evergreen trees as a symbol of spring during the long and dark nights around the winter solstice. Spring, of course, represents the renewal of life after the long and arduous days of winter.
It’s also a symbol of hope and faith in the natural cycle of life and a sign that things will take a turn for the better in due course. Medieval populations used to decorate their doors with evergreen boughs to ward off evil spirits and spells.
Fir trees were used by the Romans to celebrate their winter festival of Saturnalia. For Christians, they are said to represent everlasting life with God. In Germany, those who didn’t have access to evergreen trees or couldn’t afford them would make their own alternatives, often using a wooden pyramid.
The First Decorated Christmas Tree
One legend has it that Martin Luther himself was the first to bring an evergreen tree indoors and decorate it. Walking through a forest at night time around Christmas, he looked up through the branches and saw a bright star shining from above. He was so taken aback by the beauty of the scene he reportedly cut down a tree, brought it indoors, and hung lights on it for his family to recreate the scene.
Early Christmas Trees Were Decorated With Edible Decorations
Some of the earliest Christmas trees in Germany were decorated with delicious edibles, including gingerbread men, and caramelized apples. Nowadays it is most common to decorate your tree with baubles, homemade decorations and lights.
A Tradition Continues
Christmas trees have been a symbol of the renewal of life for time immemorial. Pagan populations long used them during mid-winter celebrations to remember the promise of spring that was just around the corner and the renewal of life that it represents. The Romans also used evergreen trees before they were later adopted by Christian populations to invoke feelings of everlasting life.
Christmas trees and their early predecessors have long been important symbols in the celebration of the winter solstice and hope for the future.
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