A Timeless Tradition
The Christmas tree has undergone many tremendous transformations over the years. The unique blend of culture, religion and folklore brought to America by immigrants has influenced many variations of this holiday icon. Yet despite all the changes in appearance, no other emblem captures the spirit of the season quite like the Christmas tree.
A Symbol of Hope
Throughout the ages, the Christmas tree has been a symbol of hope and prosperity for the coming year. While some people view the Christmas tree as merely a decoration, the meaning behind this traditional holiday icon is much more profound. The use of a tree to celebrate the winter season is a combination of ancient myths and religious devotion brought to America by immigrants.
Ancient Origins
The practice of using a tree during the month of December is a ritual dating back to ancient Egypt, when Pharaohs would bring green palm leaves into their homes during the winter solstice to ensure the coming of spring. The first known practice of decorating an evergreen tree occurred in the early days of Greek civilization during winter rituals worshipping the god, Adonia. In ancient Rome, patrician families decorated evergreen trees with candles, bits of metal and trinkets during the Saturnalia to honor the goddess of agriculture, Ceres.
New Meanings
There are a number of legends surrounding the emergence of the Christmas tree as an icon important to Christianity. One popular myth emerged early in the 8th Century, telling of how St. Boniface felled a deciduous oak tree - a symbol of great significance to early pagan societies in Europe. According to the tale, after St. Boniface cut down the tree, it split into four pieces, revealing a small evergreen growing from the center of the stump. Another story tells of Martin Luther cutting down a small fir tree, taking it home, and placing lighted candles on it to celebrate the Christmas holy time.
While both stories are considered to be more legend than fact, the Christmas tree tradition does have its historic roots in Germany. The first documented account of a Christmas tree in Germany was roughly 60 years after the death of Martin Luther at the turn of the 16th Century. At that time, the trees were called "Paradeisbaum" or paradise trees. They were brought into German homes to celebrate the annual Feast of Adam and Eve that took place on December 24th. As lights became a normal part of the decorations, the yuletide tree became a tradition throughout Germany.
Although Germany played the primary role in establishing the Christmas tree as a symbol of holiday celebrations, other European countries also helped popularize the Christmas tree tradition. By the mid-1800's, royalty in both France and England had adopted the practice of decorating a tree, using candles, fruit, gingerbread and sweets to adorn the branches. The reaction to this custom was fairly quick and positive. In a short time, decorated trees spread throughout the English-speaking world.
The American Tradition
As holiday traditions began to vary in Europe, the use of Christmas trees remained a custom that most countries shared. The most likely influence of the Christmas tree tradition in America came from German immigrants at the end of the 17th Century. Still, it took nearly 50 years from that point, for the tradition to become a popular practice in American society.
Once again, the sophistication of Christmas tree underwent a significant change. American patents for electric lights and the development of metal hooks for the hanging of ornaments profoundly affected the look of the traditional tree. Finally, the Christmas tree took on a uniquely American characterization with the advent of the first national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on The White House lawn in 1923. Since 1966, various national organizations have continued to present a fresh Christmas tree to the President and first family. The tree is displayed each year in the Blue Room of the White House.
Variations on a Theme
The American version of the Christmas tree has become unique in a number of ways, primarily due to the wide variety of traditions that immigrants have incorporated in its representation. Indeed, immigration has always prompted a change in rituals and customs, especially Christmas traditions.
Some unique immigrant traditions are a result of geography. Certain countries whose climate is temperate in December have developed practices that are unrelated to the use of an evergreen tree. Instead, as in the case of Ghana, families decorate either a mango, guava or cashew tree. In New Zealand, the Christmas tree is called Pohutokawa. Its flowers are a bright scarlet all through the Christmas season. In Australia, families use jacaranda blossoms to decorate their trees or else use a native plant called the Christmas Bush as their tree. Philippine families usually take a leafless branch and paint it white and cover it with strips of green paper, to which they add ornaments, glitter, and fluffed cotton to give the appearance of snow.
Folklore and myth also continue to play a role for certain nationalities. People of Norse descent celebrate the arrival of Julesvenn, a magical figure who hides gifts around the house. This has evolved into a group of gnomes called Julnissen who bring gifts to children. Christmas tree ornaments are fashioned after the likenesses of the figures. A very popular Christmas tree ornament made of straw is a Julebukk, named for the goat that drew the cart of Thor, the god of thunder in Norse mythology.
Elsewhere, Polish children use handmade garlands and honey cookies, as well as crepe paper to dress the tree in bright colors. Greek children use ornaments of metal triangles and clay drums, as well as special, small clay representations of christopsomo, the Christ Bread that is prepared for the Christmas meal. In Romania, a large wooden star called a Steaua is covered with shiny paper, decorated with bells and colored ribbon and sometimes placed on top of the Christmas tree.
