Long before the arrival of Christianity trees and plants that remained green throughout the year has a special meaning for people in the winter. Discover history of Christmas tree, the oldest celebrations of the winter solstice Queen Victoria and all the way to the annual lighting of Rockefeller Center tree.
How it all started
Long before arrival of Christianity, trees and plants that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes for the holiday season with pine, spruce, and fir trees ancient peoples hung ever-green boughs over their doors and windows. Many countries believed that evergreens would keep away witches,diseases, evil spirits and ghosts.
Did you know?
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska.
In northern hemisphere shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and called winter solstice. Many ancient people believed that sun was a god and that winter came every year because sun god had become sick and weak. They celebrated solstice because it meant that at last the sun god began to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all green plants that grow again when the sun god was strong and summer would return.
The ancient Egyptians worshiped a god called Ra, who was the head of a falcon and used sun as a blazing disk in his crown. Solstice, when Ra began to recover from the disease, Egyptians filled their homes with green palm rushes which symbolized for them triumph of life over death.
Early Romans marked solstice with a feast called Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that the solstice meant that soon farms and orchards would be green and fertile. To mark occasion, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs. In Northern Europe the mysterious Druids, the priests of the ancient Celts, also decorated their temples with evergreen boughs as a symbol of eternal life. The fierce Vikings in Scandinavia thought that evergreens were the special plant of the sun god, Balder.
Germany is credited with starting Christmas tree tradition as we now know in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is widely believed that Martin Luther the 16th century Protestant reformer first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking home one winter evening, composing a sermon he was impressed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To retrieve the scene for his family he erected a tree in main room and connected its branches with lighted candles.
Most 19th century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in 1830 by German settlers of Pennsylvania although the trees had been a tradition in many German homes sooner. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees and in 1747. But as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.
No wonder that like many other festive Christmas customs, tree was adopted so late in America. For the Puritans of New England Christmas was sacred. Second governor of the pilgrims, William Bradford, wrote that he strove to end “pagan mockery” of observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts passed a law that any celebration of December 25 a criminal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan heritage.
In 1846, members of the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German prince, Albert, were outlined in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the former royal family, Victoria was very popular among his subjects, and what was done immediately in court fashion was not only in Britain, but with East Coast American Society of fashion. The Christmas tree had arrived.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise throughout the US It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet tall, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
The 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while German-American sect continued to use apples nuts and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity led Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days. With this Christmas trees began to appear in streets across the country and has a Christmas tree at home became an American tradition.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE
The tree at Rockefeller Center is located at Rockefeller Center west of Fifth Avenue from 47th through 51st street in New York City.
The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center goes back to the days it was depression. The tallest tree displayed in Rockefeller Center was in 1948 and was a spruce that measures 100 feet and hailed from Killingworth, Connecticut.The first tree at Rockefeller Center was placed in 1931. It was a small tree without ornaments placed by construction workers in the center of the work. Two years later another tree was placed there, this time with lights. These days, gigantic tree of Rockefeller Center is loaded with over 25,000 Christmas lights.
CHRISTMAS TREES IN THE WORLD
Canada
German settlers migrated to Canada from the United States in 1700s brought with them many of the things about Christmas that we appreciate today Advent calendars, gingerbread houses, cookies and Christmas trees. When the German husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, put a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1848, the Christmas tree became a tradition throughout England, the US and Canada.
Mexico
In most Mexican households the main holiday ornament is the Nativity. However, a decorated Christmas tree can be incorporated in the source or set to the home elsewhere. As the purchase of a natural pine is a luxury for most Mexican families, the typical tree is often an artificial a branch cut from a tree naked copal or some kind of bush collected from the field.
Britain
The spruce is the traditional species used to decorate homes in Britain. Norway spruce was a native species in the British Isles before the last Ice Age, and was reintroduced here before the 1500s.
Green Earth
Christmas trees are imported, as there are trees live so far north. They are decorated with candles and bright ornaments.
Guatemala
The Christmas tree has joined “Birth” as a popular motif due to the large population of Germany in Guatemala. Remaining presents under the tree Christmas morning for children. Parents and adults exchange gifts until New Year’s Day.
Brazil
Although Christmas falls during summer in Brazil, sometimes pine trees are decorated with small pieces of cotton to represent falling snow.
Ireland
Christmas trees are purchased at any time in December and decorated with colored lights, garlands and baubles. Some people prefer the angel on the top of the tree, others star. The house is decorated with garlands, candles, holly and ivy. Wreaths and mistletoe are hung on the door.
Sweden
Most people buy Christmas trees long before Christmas Eve, but it is not common to take in and decorate the tree until a few days before. Evergreens are decorated with stars, sunbeams and snowflakes made from straw. Other decorations include colorful wooden animals and straw centerpieces.
Norway
Today Norwegians often make a trip to the woods to select a Christmas tree, a trip to his grandparents probably did. The Christmas tree was not introduced in Norway from Germany until the second half of the 19th century; rural districts came even later. When Christmas Eve arrives, is not tree decoration, usually made by the parents behind the closed doors of the living room, while the children look outside enthusiasm. A Norwegian ritual known as “circling the Christmas tree” is where everyone gives her hand to form a ring around the tree and then walk around it singing Christmas carols. Next, the gifts are distributed.
Ukraine
Held on December 25th for the Catholics and on January 7 for Orthodox Christians, Christmas is the most popular festival in Ukraine. During the Christmas season, which also includes the New Year’s Day, people decorate fir and have parties.
Spain
A popular Christmas custom is Catalonia, a hit game of luck. A tree trunk was full of goodies and children affected in the trunk trying to knock hazelnuts, almonds, candy, and other goodies.
Italy
In Italy, the presepio is small Holy Family in the stable and is the center of Christmas for families. Guests kneel before him and the musicians sing before. The Presepio figures are often hand carved and very detailed in features and clothing. The scene is often in the form of a triangle. It provides the basis of a pyramid structure called ceppo. It is a wood frame ready to make a pyramid of several feet high. Several rows of thin shelves are compatible with this framework. It is completely decorated with colored paper, golden pineapples and miniature colored flags. Small sails are secured to the tapered sides. A star or small wrist hangs at the apex of the triangular faces. The shelves on the manger scene with small gifts of fruit, candy and gifts. The ceppo old tree is in the tradition of light that became the Christmas tree in other countries. Some houses even have a ceppo for each child in the family.
Germany
Many Christmas traditions practiced around the world today began in Germany.
It has been long thought that Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing home a fir tree. According to legend, an afternoon Martin Luther was walking home through the woods and realized how wonderful the stars shone through the trees. I wanted to share the beauty with his wife so he cut a fir tree and took it home. Once inside he placed small candles on the branches and said it would be a symbol of
Christmas beautiful sky. Therefore, the Christmas tree.
Another legend says that in the 16th century, people in Germany combined two traditions that had been practiced in different countries around the world. The tree of paradise represents the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The light of Christmas, a small pyramidal frame, usually decorated with glass balls, tinsel and a candle on top, was a symbol of the birth of Christ as the Light of the World. Changing the apples from the trees to tinsel and crackers; and the combination of this new tree with the light placed on top, the Germans created the tree that many of us know now.
Today, the Tannenbaum is traditionally decorated secretly with lights, tinsel and ornaments by the mother and revealed lights and Christmas Eve with cookies, nuts and gifts under its branches.
South Africa
Christmas is a summer holiday in South Africa. Although Christmas trees are not common, windows are often covered with a cotton with gas and tinsel.
Saudi Arabia
American Christians, Europeans, Indians, Filipinos, and others who live here have to celebrate Christmas privately in their homes. Christmas lights usually are not tolerated. Most families put their Christmas trees in some inconspicuous place.
Philippines
Cool pines are too expensive for many Filipinos as handmade trees in a variety of colors and sizes are often used. Star lanterns or parol, appear everywhere in December. They are made of bamboo sticks, covered with rice paper or brightly colored cellophane, and usually come with a tassel at each point. Usually one window, each representing the Star of Bethlehem.
China
The small percentage of Chinese who do not celebrate Christmas, straighter artificial trees decorated with sequins and paper chains, flowers and lanterns. Christmas trees are called “trees of light.”
Japan
For most Japanese who celebrate Christmas, it is purely a secular holiday devoted to love their children. Christmas trees are decorated with small toys, dolls, paper ornaments, gold paper fans and lanterns, and wind chimes. Miniature candles are also put through the branches of trees. One of the most popular ornaments is the origami swan. Japanese children have exchanged thousands of folded paper “birds of peace” with young people around the world as a promise that the war must not happen again.
CHRISTMAS TREE TRIVIA
Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since 1850.
In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was unlit except for the top trim. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
Between1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the Christmas ship would dock at the Clark Street Bridge and sale of fir trees from Michigan to Chicago.
Living highest Christmas tree it is believed to be the 122-foot, 91 year old Douglas fir in the city of Woodinville, Washington.
The tradition of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center began in 1933. Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, brought the Christmas tree tradition of the White House.
In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the ceremony of lighting the National Christmas Tree is now held every year on the lawn of the White House.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree with the president and first family.
Most Christmas trees are cut weeks before reaching a point of sale.
In 1912, the first Christmas tree community in the United States was erected in the city of New York.
Christmas trees usually have 6 to 8 years to mature.
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska.
100,000 people are employed in the industry of Christmas trees.
98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
Over 1,000,000 acres of land have been planted with Christmas trees.
77 million Christmas trees are planted each year.
On average, more than 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre.
You should never burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace. You can contribute to creosote buildup.
Other types of trees such as cherry and thorns were used as Christmas trees in the past.
Assistants Thomas Edison came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees.
In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lit until 22 December because of a national period of 30 days of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy.
Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree in the White House for environmental reasons.
In the first week, a tree in your house will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
Tinsel was once banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead in a while, now it is made of plastic.
In 1984, the National Christmas Tree was lit on 13 December with temperatures in the 70s, so it is one of the warmest tree lightings history.
34-36000000 Christmas trees are produced each year and 95 percent are shipped or sold directly from farms Christmas trees. California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the main producers of Christmas trees states.
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