Origin Of The Christmas Tree: Symbolism And History Of The Iconic Tradition

Tree worship and the use of evergreen trees, wreaths and garlands are connected with pagan European traditions and ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Hebrew traditions.

Christmas Tree

Source : Representational Image/Getty

Christmas trees are the iconic symbol of Christmas festivities. It is believed to have originated in Germany but many studies link it with an ancient tradition of hanging evergreen trees to symbolise eternal life. Let us take a deeper look at the origins and history of the iconic Christmas symbol, the Christmas tree 

Origins Of Christmas tree

Western Germany is considered the place of origin for Christmas trees. It is believed that the priest Martin Luther's Order of Saint Augustine was the first to bring a tree inside his house and decorate it with candles. The tradition then spread beyond to Baltic governorates during the second half of the 19th century. Tree worship and the use of evergreen trees, wreaths and garlands are connected with pagan European traditions and ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Hebrew traditions.

The use of a Christmas tree is also linked to a popular prop used for a medieval play about Adam and eve. In the play, a fir tree was hung with apples to symbolise the ‘paradise tree’ as a prop. The Germans used to set this paradise tree in their homes during a religious feast of Adam and Eve.

By the 16th century, this evolved into the modern Christmas tree. The German settlers took the Christmas tree to North America. However, the North Americans weren’t so quick to accept the Christmas tree, they believed Christmas was a holy festival and so much celebration wasn’t very divine aside from the midnight mass.

The Christmas tree was introduced into England in the early 19th century, it was popularised in the mid-19th century by German-born Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

The Victorian tree was decorated with toys and small gifts, candles, candies, popcorn strings, and fancy cakes hung from the branches by ribbons and by paper chains. Missionaries introduced the Christmas tree to wherever they travelled including China & Japan.

Modern Christmas Tree

Today, there are different kinds of Christmas trees available for purchase from fresh cut to potted pine and fir trees. Artificial trees are also available for both indoor and outdoor decorations. Usually, an evergreen conifer, such as fir, spruce, or pine is used.

Decorating the Christmas trees involves a family gathering, the whole family children, and adults get involved to set up and put up the ornaments, baubles, and candies. People also add family heirloom Christmas tree ornaments that can be made of glass or silver or may even have a special design.

The Christmas tree is always topped with an angel or a star, symbolising the archangel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem.

Due to the environmental impact of using one-time use Christmas trees and plastic trees, it is better to use have a potted plant that you can keep even after Christmas. In India, mostly the potted Norfolk Pine is used.

Another way of creating a Christmas tree without using a tree is by making a tree out of fairy lights or books. For a minimalistic look people also used old tree branches and arrange them in the shape of a tree.