Does the christamas tree symbolize anything?
What is the Christmas tree for?
Why do we decorate it and put the presents underneath it?
Whats the history Behind the Christmas tree?
2006-09-25 13:37:01 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
The Christmas Tree started a long time ago. It was actually a Pagen symbol for winter. What they did was decorate them. I am not sure if they actually cut the trees down back then or not. I would guess not because Pagens were more into the environment and making it a good place.
It wasn't until later when Christianity decided to take the Pagen tradition and make it a Christmas decoration. I would guess that we put presents under it to symbolize the gift of Jesus' birth. Not sure what decorations symbolize, maybe they just did it because that is what the Pagens did.
2006-09-25 13:56:10 · answer #1 · answered by Dewdrop5 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's hard to say where the origins of the Christmas tree began. In fact, the Christmas tree as we know it today probably has its roots (no pun intended) in many different places.
The Romans celebrated the Feast of Saturnalia, a week-long festival in which slaves were exempt from punishment, heads of the household waited on their staff, and small gifts were exchanged. In addition, the Romans often cut down evergreens, brought them inside, and decorated them with ornaments of silver and gold to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture.
In Scandanavia, the evergreen ash is sacred, as the first man sprang from an ash tree. The world tree, Yggdrasill, is an ash, and its branches, roots, and trunk hold together Heaven, the Netherworld, and Earth. To celebrate the winter solstice (which they called Yule), a fresh log would be cut and brought into a cold hearth. This log was then lit using a piece of the previous year's log (which had been kept under a bed to keep the home safe from fire and lightning). If the log caught on the first try, good luck was sure to be with the household. It is from this that we take the tradition of the Yule log.
The Egyptians, too, recognized the power of the evergreen over death (as all other trees die in the winter, the evergreen survives). Though evergreens are scarce in Egypt, the significance was well-remembered through the use of palm fronds, which were used to decorate the home.
According to legend, Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.
In truth, no one knows for certain where the tradition comes from, but as humankind has long revered trees as objects of signifance, it is probable that it is a compilation of all of the above.
2006-09-29 10:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by whtknt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christmas tree is an evergreen tree because it symbolizes everlasting life which is the promise of Christ to all those who believe and follow him.
2006-09-26 22:30:39 · answer #3 · answered by jidwg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the how thin about Christmas has got out of hand they took Christ, out it and made it all about things that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ not a thing and shame on all of us... look around they took Christ out of Christmas its now Xmas or happy Holiday in stead of merry Christmas .. well it all wrong if you ask me......but life is still going on.
2006-09-25 23:15:10 · answer #4 · answered by Jada A 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know..I don't get it either but if they would stop cutting down tree's maybe we would all have enough oxygen in this world to stop being moody crappy attitude people and all the wars would stop.
I think thats the problem with this world....LACK OF GOOD CLEAN OXYGEN!
2006-09-25 20:40:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Money and to put you inter high gear spending - hey the merchants like it!
2006-09-26 14:32:53 · answer #6 · answered by toomuch 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it symbolizes anything. I think it's just a tradition.
2006-09-25 22:34:13 · answer #7 · answered by Art The Wise 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't really symbolise anything, it's just a gimmick to make people spend more money.
2006-09-25 20:48:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋