2007-12-13 02:57:26 · 10 answers · asked by LOR 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Paganism.
2007-12-13 03:01:56 · answer #1 · answered by Buying is Voting 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The exact origin of the Christmas tree seems under debate, but it is safe to say that this symbol evolved from Pagan tradition.
The Norse pagans and Celtic Druids revered evergreens as manifestations of deity because they did not "die" from year to year but stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare. The trees represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.
The druids decorated their trees with symbols of prosperity -- a fruitful harvest, coins for wealth and various charms such as those for love or fertility. Scandinavian Pagans are thought to be the first to bring their decorated trees indoors as this provided a warm and welcoming environment for the native fairy folk and tree elementals to join in the festivities. The Saxons, a Germanic pagan tribe, were the first to place lights on the their trees in the form of candles. Ancient Romans decorated their homes with greens at the Festival of Saturnalia, their New Year and exchanged evergreen branches with friends as a sign of good luck.
The first Christian use of the Christmas tree symbol is credited to 16th century when devout Christians also brought decorated trees into their homes. German born Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, is credited with starting the trend in England in 1841 when he brought the first Christmas Tree to Windsor Castle.
While Europe had already been celebrating Christmas for some time, the first recorded sighting of a Christmas tree in America came in 1830's Pennsylvania. It seems a local church erected the tree as a fundraising effort. Christmas trees were generally not thought kindly of in early America, as many people saw them as Pagan symbols, which is in fact, their origin. By the 1890's, however, Christmas ornaments were being imported from Germany and Christmas trees were in high fashion.
2007-12-13 11:06:40 · answer #2 · answered by ayflau 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This custom originated in Germany at the time of Martin Luther.
2007-12-13 11:05:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it came from Germany originally in Queen Victoria's reign as her husband Prince Albert came from Germany.
2007-12-13 11:02:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
One of the Royals- I think Prince Albert brought it over from some country. It's used because of its triangular shape-representing the holy trinity.
2007-12-13 11:01:44 · answer #5 · answered by Munchy Mooneo 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I might be wrong but I thought it was Prince Albert who introduced the custom into the UK from Germany.
2007-12-13 11:05:25 · answer #6 · answered by John G 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think in victorian times, it was so horrible in the cities, they put trees up, to remind them of the countryside, i'm probs wrong though, loll
2007-12-13 11:12:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ayflau is right. It's a Wiccan thing.
2007-12-13 11:30:17 · answer #8 · answered by MindStorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wrong apostrophe.
2007-12-13 11:01:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
what cine of question is that
2007-12-13 11:01:58 · answer #10 · answered by fourwheelerboy10 2 · 0⤊ 6⤋