The period of Christmas has long been celebrated using greenery of one kind or another. Ancient Egyptians used to fill their homes with palm rushes signifying a triumph of life over death. In early Rome, homes were decorated with evergreens as the Romans realised that, at the solstice, their farms would be fruitful and green. The Druids of Northern Europe decorated their temples with evergreens as a symbol of everlasting life and hope.
History of the Christmas Tree
However, it is Germany that is credited with starting the tradition of the Christmas Tree. In the 16th century, devout Christians brought trees into their homes and decorated them with candles and evergreens. Legend has it that the 16th century reformer, Martin Luther, was the first to add lighted candles to trees. It is said that he was aiming to recapture the brilliance of twinkling stars that he saw whilst out walking at night amongst evergreens and consequently he put a tree with lighted candles in his home. However, other countries did not immediately follow this tradition as, even as late as 1840, Christmas trees were believed to be pagan symbols.
Queen Victoria of England was a very popular queen and when she and her husband were shown in the Illustrated London News in 1846 standing around a Christmas tree with their children, the tree quickly became fashionable. As well as in Britain, American society accepted the tradition as well and the Christmas tree was now a firm part of Christmas in the USA. By the end of the 19th century, Christmas ornaments arrived from Germany. There was much excitement as the middle classes competed to decorate their trees. Europeans used trees around four feet in height but Americans liked their trees to reach up to their ceilings.
Christmas Tree Decorations
Decoration of trees continued unabated with Americans using mainly home-made ornaments and Europeans using fruit such as apples together with nuts, sweets and marzipan cakes. With the advent of electricity, Christmas lights made it possible for the trees to be lit for days on end. Consequently, trees appeared in cities and towns throughout developed countries and having a tree in the home became a tradition. Many large shops put up Christmas trees out of doors too to indicate prestige in the world of retail. Every December in Trafalgar Square in London stands a Christmas tree which is a gift from Norway to thank the British for their support during World War II. The tree has been a gift from that country since the year 1947.
Christmas Trees Across the World
In New Zealand are native trees called Pohutukawa. These trees are in bloom at Christmas time and truly do look like a Christmas tree as they have dark green foliage and bright red flowers. The trees are known to native New Zealanders as the New Zealand Christmas Tree. New Zealand and Australia use trees in much the same way as Britain by putting a decorated tree in the home – even though the weather outside is usually warm and sunny.
In Russia, after the October Revolution, the Christmas tree was banned. However, the tradition of a tree was reinstated using a New Year Fir Tree which celebrates the New Year holiday. Even after the fall of the USSR, the New Year holiday in Russia outweighs the Christmas holiday for most Russians.
Christmas trees have become a source of national pride. The largest Christmas tree display in the world today is on the slopes of Monte Ingino in the Italian region of Umbria. The display is composed of 500 or so lights which are connected by over 40,000 feet of wire. The tree is a modern wonder in an historic setting.
In Japan, there is a projection of a Christmas tree on the side of the Grand Prince Hotel in Akasaka. By way of contrast, in the Old Town Square of Prague is a huge tree from the Czech Republic’s Sumava mountains. This casts a beautiful glow over the Christmas market manger display.
The Italian island of Murano, Venice, is known for its superb glasswork. The island has the largest glass tree in the whole world and the tree reflects the Christmas holiday season. It is a superb piece of craftsmanship by a master glass blower and visitors flock to see it.
Standing over 230 feet in height, the tallest Christmas tree in Europe is found in Lisbon in Portugal. There are thousands of lights adorning the tree which adds to the magical atmosphere found in the city at Christmas time.
In the Philippines, live Christmas trees are expensive. Typically, a family would create a tree out of bamboo and use coloured paper decorations. In Brazil, it is summer in December so, to simulate snow, Brazilians decorate their trees with tiny pieces of white cotton.
The French love Christmas trees. As you would expect, even the Christmas trees in Paris are chic and stunning displays adorn shops and galleries.
Although most people in Asia are not Christians, the traditions of giving and receiving gifts and erecting Christmas trees have become popular. Throughout the continent at Christmas, large department stores use Christmas trees, Christmas lights and occasionally Santa Claus as decorations.
Although artificial trees have become popular, there is something very special about a real tree. However, artificial trees have become increasingly realistic and sometimes it is very hard to tell which tree is real and which is fake. They do save on housework too as everyone knows what is is like to find pine needles weeks after all the decorations have been cleared away.
Countries throughout the world celebrate Christmas according to their various traditions and culture. Even though these may vary from country to country, the meaning and essence behind the celebrations remain the same wherever you are.
Various cultures have been responsible for the traditions of Christmas which have accumulated and expanded over several centuries and it would seem that the tradition of using a tree along with evergreens is here to stay.
