Christmas Evergreens Discover the Christmas custom, story, myth and legend associated with the Christmas Evergreens. This festive tradition and Christmas custom, with its familiar symbol and meaning, has evolved over time. But what is the history, meaning and origin of the Christmas Evergreens? This article provides facts and information about the history of the Christmas Evergreens as a familiar symbol, tradition and Christmas custom.
The Origin and History of the Christmas Evergreens Some origins date back to the pagan traditions and customs of the ancients. Other symbols, customs and traditions have specific religious significance to the Christian religion and the Nativity of Jesus Christ. And finally there are many new, non-religious customs which have emerged due to increased prosperity and the commercialism of the festival in the modern world. Is the Christmas Custom, Origin and History of the Christmas Evergreens pagan, religious or modern? The Christmas Custom, Origin and History of the Christmas Evergreens are rooted in pagan religions, some dating back thousands of years to the Ancient Egyptians.
The Christmas Custom, Origin and History of the Christmas Evergreens - The Winter Solstice Many of these pagan traditions and rituals surrounded the Winter Solstice and were held in honour of the return of the sun which at the winter solstice begins gradually to regain power and to ascend on the horizon. Pagan ceremonies and customs included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship.
The Christmas Custom of the Christmas Evergreens - Symbols of Fertility In winter, when everything is brown and dead, the evergreens are manifestations of the abiding life within the plant-world, and evergreens may well have been used as sacramental means of contact with the spirit of growth and fertility. Particularly precious would be evergreen plants like the holly, the ivy, and the mistletoe, which actually bore fruit in the winter time.
Types of Christmas Evergreens What are evergreens? Evergreen plants have leaves all year round, including the winter. There are many different types of Christmas evergreens including the following:
Christmas Trees - Pines, Spruce
Holly
Ivy
Mistletoe
Poinsettia
Christmas Cactus
In some old English Christmas carols holly and ivy are put into a curious antagonism, apparently connected with a contest of the sexes. Holly is the men's plant, ivy the women's, and the carols are debates as to the respective merits of each. The New World is represented in Christmas legend by only one plant, the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). The Yule log, usually cut from oak or ash, is a burning rite of the Ancients.
The History and Origins of the Christmas Evergreens - The Egyptians The Egyptians practised various rituals and had ceremonies relating to the winter solstice. Temples and the homes of Ancient Egyptians were adorned with green palm leaves on the shortest day of winter. In Egypt plants of all kinds were associated with life and fertility. Flowers such as the lotus, which opened each morning, were particularly linked with rebirth. Wreaths were used in ceremonies and placed around the necks of statues and people. Tombs of Pharaohs have also been found to contain wreaths which stood for "eternal life."
The History and Origins of the Christmas Evergreens - The Romans The Roman Empire celebrated the winter festival of Saturnalia which was observed near the winter solstice. The the customs of the Roman Empire which may be in part responsible for the German Christmas tree. The practice of adorning houses with evergreens at the January Kalends was common throughout the Roman Empire. The laurel plant was used to decorate the doors of Roman Houses.
The History and Origins of the Christmas Evergreens - The Celtic Druids The most celebrated festivals of the Celts and their priests called the Druids were held in honour of the return of the sun which at the winter solstice begins gradually to regain power and to ascend in the horizon. The Druids worshipped the sun which included prayers and offerings to their Sun God to ensure that the sun returned to give them a good summer. The Druids also revered the holly, the ivy and especially the mistletoe.
Christmas Evergreens Christmas is celebrated worldwide, throughout the Christian population of approximately 2275 million people, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. A Christmas custom or tradition is symbolized by a familiar symbol or icon, such as the Christmas Evergreens, have come to represent the spirit and meaning of this special time of the year.
Christmas Evergreens
Christmas Evergreens
Christmas Evergreens
The history, meaning and origin of this familiar symbol
Old Customs, Symbols and Traditions
Meaning and origin of this traditional Christmas custom
History, Facts and information about customs, symbols and traditions
Meaning, history and origin of traditional symbols
A Religious Christian meaning, Pagan origins or a Modern Christmas custom?
Christmas Evergreens
Christmas Evergreens
"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"
