We explain what the Christmas tree is, how it came about and what day it should be put up. In addition, we tell you what elements decorate it.
What is the Christmas tree?
The Christmas tree or Christmas tree is one of the most typical and widely used decorative elements of Christmas. It consists of a tree (ideally a pine, fir or other evergreen species) decorated with lights, ornaments and figures of different types, although in many cases they are made of plastic or other synthetic materials.
Along with the manger or nativity scene, and the figure of Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas, the Christmas tree is one of the central icons of this holiday in the West. It is usual to have one in every home and in every work environment, as a symbol of the arrival of the holidays. In addition, Christmas gifts are usually placed at its feet and family gatherings or celebrations are usually held around it. You must read about Climate and Weather once.
The exact meaning of the Christmas tree can be diffuse or vary depending on the local tradition, although it is directly connected to the winter imaginary of the northern hemisphere. This suggests that its origins are in the north of the European continent, and in the sacred relationship that the different pagan peoples had with the trees.
In general terms, the Christmas tree symbolizes hope and life in view of the end of the annual cycle (as it is an evergreen tree, that is, one that does not lose its leaves in the cold), which in the Christian world coincides with the birth of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. There are, however, those who claim that its decoration refers to the apples of the tree in the Garden of Eden, reminding Christians of the biblical myth about temptation and the origin of sin, or that its brightness refers to the star of Bethlehem, sometimes located at the top of the tree.
Origin and history of the Christmas tree
The exact origin of the Christmas tree is uncertain, although many of its cultural roots point to ancient pagan traditions, linked to mythology or founding stories. Many of these traditions were absorbed by Christianity during the evangelization of Europe, and reinterpreted to serve a new imaginary.
For example, in Norse mythology there is talk of Yggdrasil, the tree of the universe or the world, in whose crown resided the gods (asgard) and whose roots went into the world of the dead (helheim). This tree was represented by an evergreen tree during the end of winter, to symbolize the birth of the Sun god, Frey, and with him the rebirth of life on Earth. Once evangelized, these Nordic peoples replaced their pagan god with Jesus Christ and continued to commemorate his birth in the same way.
There are legends that claim that the first Christmas tree was cut down by Saint Boniface (680-754), one of the evangelizers of present-day Germany, to destroy a Nordic symbol linked to Thor, and that he planted a pine tree in its place so that its eternal greenery would remind the Germans of the immortal presence of Jesus Christ. But there are many legends surrounding the origin of the Christmas tree, and it is difficult to verify their veracity.
In any case, the tradition of the Christmas tree began to form part of Christian Christmas rites in very recent times. It is believed that the first people to do so were the Germans, around the 17th century, and that the tradition spread to Finland, Bohemia, Moravia, England and Spain throughout the 19th century. In the 20th century, this tradition spread throughout much of the world, thanks to commercial Christmas celebrations, inspired in particular by American culture. Maybe you should definitely read about Zeus once.
What day do we put up the Christmas tree?
Christmas tradition dictates that the Christmas tree should be put up (“assembled” or “set up” in some countries) on December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception. It was established as such by Pope Pius IX in 1854, and that same day the Nativity scene should be placed in the house, although the figurine of the baby Jesus should not be in it yet.
However, in many countries this date can vary; in some cases there is no consensus regarding when to put up the tree. In other cases, such as in certain Protestant countries, it is done on the first Sunday of Advent, a date that varies from one year to the next, and which should be the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
Elements of the Christmas tree
The Christmas tree usually has a very leafy decoration, which involves elements such as the following:
Star:
It is generally located at the top of the Christmas tree and refers in the Christian imagination to the star of Bethlehem, which guided the three Wise Men to the shed where the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, was born. It is generally large and can be accompanied by smaller replicas that are placed on the branches, like ordinary ornaments.
Spheres:
They are generally brightly colored and metallic balls, which hang from a thread and thus hang from the branches of the tree, as if they were fruit. These ornaments can refer to the apple from the biblical story of the Garden of Eden, or consist of symbols of abundance, fertility and a fertile spring.
Bows:
They have traditionally been interpreted as symbols of family unity and eternal love, so it is customary to include them among the Christmas tree decorations. The idea is that they represent the close union of affection.
Lights:
These are the most common decoration and usually consist of one or more strings of small colored bulbs, which can remain fixed or turn on and off in waves. In some cases they even come with small electronic Christmas music boxes.
Figurines:
These are decorations with specific Christmas shapes: snowmen, reindeer, Santa Claus, sleighs, etc. Their role is to complete the decoration by hanging from the branches of the tree.
Other decorations:
Sometimes the Christmas tree can also include fake snow, garlands, glitter, and other decorations that enhance its brightness and striking appearance.
Other Christmas decorations
Apart from the Christmas tree, the following are typical Christmas decorations:
- The Nativity scene: This is a miniature representation of the place where Jesus of Nazareth was born: a shed or animal hut, filled with straw and in which not only Mary and Joseph, the parents of the baby Jesus, were present, but also a mule, an ox and sometimes other domestic animals (such as sheep or cows). All of this, together with the Three Wise Men and the angel of the annunciation, usually appears in Nativity scenes, which are decorated in different ways in homes when the Christmas season arrives.
- Christmas pyramid: Typical of the regions of Germany and the Czech Republic, among others, it is a kind of tower decorated with lights and decorations, in which a small wooden carousel rotates, crowned by a propeller at the top that moves the whole thing thanks to the heat of four candles lit beneath it.
- Father Christmas: Also called Santa Claus, Old Pascuero or Saint Nicholas, he is a Christmas icon linked to the giving of gifts (especially to children), created from the figure of Saint Nicholas of Bari, a Christian bishop of Greek origin from the 4th century. It is common at Christmas for his image, dressed in red and with a long white beard, to appear everywhere dragging a sack of gifts, or in charge of a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
- Christmas stockings: These are red and white stockings that are usually hung on walls and doors in remembrance of the times when Christmas Eve gifts were left inside them for children, as a surprise.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, which ensure reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- “Christmas tree” on Wikipedia.
- “Christmas decoration” on Wikipedia.
- “Christmas tree: where the tradition comes from and why it is put up on December 8” on Clarín (Argentina).
- “History of Christmas Trees” on History.com.
- “Christmas Tree (holiday decoration)” on The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
