Christmas Tree: History and how it came to be.
- Sreyas Santosh
- Dec 28, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 21
Well, Christmas just got over and so did our streets were decorated with lights and Christmas Tree's. The Evergreen Conifer tree decorated with lights and surrounded my gifts in front of shops is something without which Christmas can't be imagined. While we have heard the story of how Jesus was born and everything associated with this day many times. But why and how is this tree associated with Christmas. Well , a similar thought made write this as I show you how The Evergreen Conifer Tree AKA the Christmas tree became associated with Christmas.
Christmas Tree and it's origin:
The modern Christmas Tree tradition originated in Central Europe, Baltic states mainly Estonia, Germany and Livonia .With it's recorded use in Adam and Eve plays then known as the "Paradise Tree", a fir Tree which was decorated with Apples to represent the Gardens of Eden performed on the 24th of December. These plays were often made to educate the illiterate about the Bible.
The first recording of a decorated Christmas tree can be traced celebrations in Riga ,Latvia and the Renaissance-era guilds in northern parts of Germany and Livonia in the years of 1441 , 1442 , 1510 , 1514 where, the Brotherhood of Blackheads for the holidays of their guild decorated a tree with artificial roses danced around it and set fire to it . The rose was used over the years and is considered to be the symbol of Virgin Mary. By The 16th Century Devout Christians would bring these trees homes and decorate them hence , starting the tradition we know Today. The German word for the Christmas Tree is “Tannenbaum”, which means “fir tree” in German.
Decoration and Spread of Tradition:
Well ,Things Evolve with time let's look at it in the case of the Christmas Tree.
Decoration:
Martin Luther depicted in front of a Christmas Tree
Earlier Christmas Tree's were decorated with Edible items such as apples, nuts gingerbread, and other items etc. The tradition of decorating Christmas Tree with candles is often attributed with Martin Luther. According to a legend ,Luther was walking through a forest at night and was amazed by the beauty of the starry sky. Inspired by this He bought a Christmas Tree home and tried to replicate the beauty by decorating it with candles. Although myths surround this considering the fact there is no concrete evidence regarding the matter however, the usage of candles is often associated with Germans . The tradition slowly spread followed by the gradual replacement of candles to electric lights with concerns of fire and earlier, candles were often placed by wealthy families as it was considered an expensive item.
Spread of This Tradition:
The modern Christmas Tree started it's life at Germany and by the the 18th Century started spreading to Neighboring parts of Europe, mainly among the nobility and the Aristocracy. Well, as time progressed it started spreading around the Globe .With that here are some Noteworthy ones.
Britain:
The Royal Christmas tree admired by Queen Victoria and her Children .
Although the Decoration of Christmas Tree in Churches was common throughout. However the Decoration of An entire small tree was not so known in Britain till the 19th Century. It was the German Born Queen Charlotte who introduced the Christmas Tree to a group of Children during the 1800's. While the custom did not see popularity beyond the Royal family as Queen Victoria as a child was already aware about Christmas Tree and would place a Tree on the Eve of Christmas. it was the 1841 Marriage of Victoria with her German cousin Prince Albert made the custom more widespread as Wealthier Middle class Families started following the tradition. This Trend saw a Boost in the year 1848 when the illustrated London News in a report picked up by other News papers described the Windsor Castle in detail, showed the main tree in detail surrounded by the members of the Royal Family on the cover page. This resulted in Wealthy middle class families adopting this tradition .
Georgia:
The presidential Chichilaki
Georgia has it's own Christmas Tree called Chichilaki which is made from Dried Hazel-nut or Walnut Branches which are shaved to form small coniferous Tree's. The tradition of making Chichilakis is considered as an important part of the Georgian Orthodox Christmas which is observed on January 7. The Georgians Believe that the shaved Tree resembles the beard of St Basil the Great who is thought to visit people similar to the Santa Claus tradition. It is also believed that the Chichilakis represent the Tree of life, a symbol of hope for the Georgians. Post the occasion the Tree is burnt down on the 19th of January to symbolize the passing of Previous Year's troubles.
Slovenia:
A Giant Christmas Tree in Slovenian capital Ljubljana.
Early Slovenian Customs, dating back to the 17th century was to suspend a Christmas Tree either upright, or upside down a well, corner of the table , backyard etc. While being modestly decorated or not decorated at all. Peter Luelsdorf , a German Brewer bought the Christmas Tree of the current tradition to the country in the year 1845. Setting it up in his small brewery in Ljubljana the Country's Capital. German official craftsmen and merchants quickly spread the tradition among the population and decorating it with walnuts, apples, carobs and candles. Initially ,this custom faced backlash from the catholic majority as they considered it to be a typical protestant tradition. This tradition was unknown in rural areas till World War 1 after which decorating of these became common.
Italy:
A Christmas Tree in Italy
During Fascism this tradition faced an enormous backlash from communities as it was seen as an imitation of Foreign Tradition. While preferring typical Italian Nativity. The tradition of decorating Christmas tree was widely adopted during the 20th century. It appears that the first Christmas Tree was erected at the Quirinal Palace in Italy by the end of the 19th Century at the behest of Queen Margherita.
United States:
This Tradition was introduced to North America in the winter of 1781 by the Hessian soldiers stationed in the province of Quebec(1763-1791) to garrison the colony against American attack. The Earliest recorded evidence of the Christmas tree can be traced as early as 1747 , Moravian Germans in Pennsylvania had a community tree in the form of a wooden pyramid decorated with candles. The Christmas Tree became common during the 19th Century. but during the 1840's it was seen as pagan symbols and most American did not accept it. As years passed on the Christmas Tree gained popularity Across the Country.
The symbolic meaning behind the Christmas Tree :
Well, with such a long and rich history the tree does have it's fair share of tales and symbolic meanings behind it.
Jesus Christ's birth and resurrection:
People think of the tree's branches and bushes as a sign of immortality because they look like Christ crown of Thorns and cross. Each ornament on a Christmas Tree has a special meaning . These are seen to be associated with peace, love ,kindness, joy, goodness ,gentleness and so on.
The Christmas Tree topper:
A Christmas Tree topper
We have often seen a star on a top of the Christmas tree but, why?. People believe that the star led the wise men to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. As the Angels announced the birth of Christ. Angels are also often used as toppers for the Christmas Tree. The tree also symbolizes eternal life as it is believed that the trees shook of snow and turned green after the birth of Jesus.
The Tales behind the Christmas Tree:
According to a legend , a monk named Wilfrid took an Axe in this hands and struck down an oak tree, an object of worship breaking it into four pieces . From the center grew a fir tree. He said to his followers "see how it points towards the heaven. Let this tree be called the tree of the Christ's child he said". Gather about it , not in the wilderness but in your homes .There , it will be surrounded with love and gift of kindness."
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