The origin of the christmas tree christmas and advent. The christmas tree an ancient pagan fertility symbol. And to think this beautiful decoration started as a simple backyard log. Tradition holds that a fir tree was growing in the roots of the oak, and boniface claimed the tree as a symbol of christ. She was worshipped by many civilizations in the middle east. Diy yule log tutorial pagan christmas, christmas yule log. Pagan roots of the christmas tree we call it the christmas tree, but the evergreen that we haul into our homes and decorate is only loosely and lately associated with christianity.
Pagan origins of the christmas tree from pagan roots to. But whether you celebrate christmas or yule or both, or neither. Like the christmas tree, its origin has pagan roots pun intended that were incorporated into christian traditions. European pagans were largely responsible for dressing their homes with the branches of. Christmas, christian festival celebrating the birth of jesus. As it turns out, plenty of modern christmas traditions actually have roots in pagan traditions, a group of people who coexisted with early christians in europe as christianity was spread. An indepth look at the pagan roots of christmas traditions, such as the tree, mistletoe, etc. When reading most historical sources on the origin of the christmas tree, it is almost universally and offhandedly mentioned that it was borrowed from pagan religious festivals and adapted into christianity. We can still see the pagan origins of christmas in many holiday traditions, including mistletoe, which symbolized fertility to prechristians and new life even in the depths of winter. Weve talked about the pagan roots of other holidays, such as halloween and thanksgiving.
Nov 30, 2015 this article will investigate the origins of the christmas tree tradition and will investigate the place of symbols. So the fir tree was first associated with pagan festivals but when was it actually used in association with christmas. Originally, it signified horrible death at the hands of a pagan people. We call it the christmas tree, but the evergreen that we haul into our homes and decorate is only loosely and lately associated with christianity. Consider the following admission from a large american newspaper the buffalo news, nov. Some in the modern day still adhere to the pagan meanings of the prechristian aspects of the christmas holiday, reported jefferson calico of. German settlers also introduced christmas trees in the united states, though the custom was not initially embraced. The headline reads the roots of the christmas tree. Queen victoria, prince albert popularise christmas trees. But in places like the united states, having a christmas tree was often viewed as a foreign pagan custom until the mid19th century. The use of christmas wreaths is believed by authorities to be traceable to the pagan customs of decorating buildings and places of worship at the feast which took place at the same time as christmas. Around christmastime you are likely to hear the objection that christmas is a christopagan holiday, a mashup of pagan beliefs and christian celebration. Some historians say that the tradition of hanging a christmas tree was still popular in certain european countries as recently as 100 years ago.
It presents quite a lot of information about a wide variety of plants, mushrooms, etc. Clever church men then took certain pagan beliefs and wrapped them up in christian words and then called those. As with many things that go against the norm, there is a lot of controversy and confusion about the practice of hanging an inverted tree from the. Both tallin in estonia and riga in latvia claim that it is their. Dying eggs at easter is a tradition that dates back to pagan europe where eggs were dyedpainted for fertility in the spring. Very educational, sometimes a little dry, but pretty engrossing as well. A christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of christmas, hence its name, originating in northern europe. The tradition of christmas caroling actually began as the tradition of wassailing. God does not want us to follow pagan religious customs. Pagan roots of the christmas tree celebrations wine club. The custom was developed in medieval livonia presentday estonia and latvia, and in early modern germany. The unexpected origins of popular christmas traditions.
Diy yule log tutorial create a natural yule log centerpiece or decoration using branches, berries, pine cones and a. The tree was an oak once sacred to the former pagans. This popular celebration is of course linked closely to christianity and is intended to honour the birth of jesus christ, but people in nations with little or no christian culture or tradition are celebrating this holiday in increasing numbers and, surprisingly, most of the christmas customs we. Mistletoe is guilty of killing baldur and is another item changed of being a pagan influence on christmas traditions. The christmas tree derives from the tradition of pagans, who brought evergreen trees inside their homes as a reminder of the coming spring, when other flora will bloom again.
True origins of christmas traditions and real pagan. Dec 17, 2019 construction workers started the rockefeller center christmas tree tradition in 1931. See more ideas about jewish history, history and ellis island immigrants. Groups of people who follow contemporary pagan religious traditions will be gathering to celebrate the oldnew holiday of yule. Children all over the world are told that father christmas developed from st. I think it makes total sense about pagan traditions everywhere in the world attaching significance to the connection of the tree of life to the evergreen tree. In ancient times, the goddess asherah was known the queen of heaven.
Its a cute little tradition, kissing under a hanging sprig of mistletoe. What is the prechristian celebration called the natalie invitus solis, that was kept in the occult world, which christians have stolen and have called christmas about. Like the christmas tree, its origin has pagan roots pun intended that were incorporate when she was done, michelle had an adorable homemade yule log. Although the specific practices were different in each country and culture, the symbolization was generally the. Hanging a christmas tree from the ceiling makes some sense it can keep your floor space clear and may protect your pets or young children from harm but it is not common. But when one closely examines these claims, they seem to have little basis in fact. Winfred cut down a deciduous tree in the presence of some newlybaptized christians. The christmas tree is a 17thcentury german invention, university of bristols hutton told livescience, but it clearly derives from the pagan practice of bringing greenery indoors to decorate in. Pagan christmas books inner traditions online bookstore. Despite the fact that our modernday image of father christmas has largely been shaped by a 1930s cocacola advertising campaign, he most definitely has pagan roots. At first i thought this book would be about the pagan and folk traditions behind christmas, historically and culturally. They began to worship the evergreen tree as it was the one tree that remained green during the winter.
The earliest reference to christmas being marked on dec. Christmas trees soon became common in english homes. Christmas, celebrated on december 25th, has roots in ancient pagan holydays such as yule germanic, the winter solstice which is celebrated in different ways worldwide, yalda, and more. The modern christmas tree tradition dates back to western germany in the 16th century. Around christmastime you are likely to hear the objection that christmas is a christo pagan holiday, a mashup of pagan beliefs and christian celebration. If you were thinking or hoping our winter celebrations were a proper christian tradition, well, youll be disappointed. I heard the term solitise tree a few weeks before christmas and irked me. Christmas yule log diy tutorial christmas yule log. Dec 12, 20 as northern europe was the last area to be christianised, many of its pagan traditions had a major influence on the celebration of christmas, such as the yule log and koliada, a cycle of ukrainian winter rituals, which is synonymous with christmas carolling and festive fun on christmas eve.
The modern catholic has many fronts to defend, one of them being the socalled pagan roots of christmas. A common reason given by those wishing to force a tiein between pagan superstitions and christmas is that evergreen plants warded off sickness, evil spirits and witches, or that the sun god became weakest near the winter solstice and evergreen trees showed that he would soon be returning to strength and vigor. The christmas tree is considered by some as christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the winter solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. Although some christmas customs have pagan roots, others have more prosaic beginnings. The botanical elements of christmas provide a unique view of the religion that existed in europe before the introduction of. The origins of christmas can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations such as deus sol invictus observed dec 25, the kalends jan 15, and saturnalia dec 1723 the christian church disapproved of these festivals and coopted the holidays by declaring dec 25 as jesus birthday 2. According to the encyclopedia britannica, the use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient egyptians, chinese, and hebrews. An entire book could be written on how christian holidays are based on ancient pagan holidays, so ill be brief in this section. The christmas tree, now so common among us, was equally common in pagan rome and pagan egypt. The plants, spirits, and rituals at the origins of yuletide. Dec 22, 2016 the modern catholic has many fronts to defend, one of them being the socalled pagan roots of christmas. What really got me was the consensus of the group that was chitchatting agreed with the idea that most, if not all, christmas traditions were originally pagan.
Just as you suggest is the correct framing nowhere does this articles say that the yule tree is responsible for all of christmas. The christmas tree itself has its roots in pagan practice as well. Christmas has also become a secular family holiday that is observed by christians and nonchristians, is marked by the exchange of gifts, and features the mythical figure of santa claus. This is a book on ethnobotany, but it is really quite fascinating. From these pagan roots sprouted the modern christmas tree. Aug 26, 2018 an entire book could be written on the christian holidays that are based on ancient pagan holidays, so i will be brief in this section. Here are two of the objections you might meet, and a helpful way to respond to each. In the ad 300s the roman emperors wanted christians and pagans to unite as one. There is a legend that saint boniface started the custom of the christmas tree in germany around the eighth century. Soon afterwards i fell into conversation with a few coworkers about the holiday. The christmas tree is probably one of the most recognizable symbols of christmas. They were called paradeisbaum paradise trees and were brought into homes to celebrate the annual feast of adam and eve on dec24. May 16, 2019 an entire book could be written on how christian holidays are based on ancient pagan holidays, so ill be brief in this section.
While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of christmas the birth of the. This is a lovely, interesting book, concentrating on the botanical influences on pagan christmas that is, the customs we celebrate today that in fact have roots in pagan celebrations. One of the symbols most closely associated with asherah was a tree. December 25 has become widely accepted as the date of jesus birth.
But the germans got it from the romans, who got it from the babylonians and the egyptians. The ancient roots of christmas customs ancient origins. Dec 25, 2014 christmas is a very popular holiday tradition that is celebrated by some 2 billion people worldwide. The truth is that the christmas tree and the decorations we put on the tree have ancient roots in pagan fertility traditions. The book answers to questions, compiled by frederick j. While the christmas tree originated in germany, it was britains queen victoria and prince albert who popularised it in the 1840s and 1850s. While it is still a symbol of christianity to some, to others it is simply part of. Twelve christmas traditions with pagan origins holidappy.
It is said that saint boniface found a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree and became angry. James cooper explained the origins of mistletoe, evergreens and holly in both christian and pagan celebrations, pointing out that there are undoubtedly pagan roots to some christmas traditions. The rockefeller center christmas tree tradition began in 1933. The pagan beliefs surrounding christmasthe christmas tree. Christmas tree has its roots in ancient customs ancient. Dec 26, 2012 the druids tied fruit to the branches of live trees, and baked cakes in the shape of fish, birds and other animals, to offer to their god, woden. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletideyule decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in ones home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism. What is the prechristian celebration called the natalie invit. Similarly, in ancient rome, the festival saturnalia was celebrated from december 17 through december 23. At one time it was prohibited by christian officials, who saw it properly as a pagan expression. Dec 04, 20 today christians debate over nearly everything rather than going directly to the word of god. Refuting the pagan roots of christmas claim catholic. Dec 7, 2016 the yule log has been a tradition in european countries for centuries.
Bernd brunner wrote in his book, inventing the christmas tree, that people living in the 19th century needed the floor space. German immigrants brought the modern christmas tree tradition to the u. Dec 08, 2017 pagan origins of the christmas tree ancient egyptians used to decorate the temples dedicated to ra, the god of the sun, with green palm during the winter solstice. We also inherited the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe from the druids. Dec 14, 2017 hanging a christmas tree from the ceiling makes some sense it can keep your floor space clear and may protect your pets or young children from harm but it is not common. In other words, christmas was pagan before it was adopted and renamed by christians.
Decorate your tree with things that represent your pagan spirituality and the themes of the season lights, sun symbols, magical items, and natural objects. The day on which many commemorate the birth of christ has its origins in pagan rituals that center on tree worship, agriculture, magic, and social exchange. Well, the first recorded fir tree being used exclusively for christmas celebrations finds its roots in 16th century europe. Franklin pierce, the 14th president, brought the christmas tree tradition to the. No article about christmas is complete without some explanation of the christmas tree. Nearly all aspects of christmas observance have their roots in roman custom and religion. Many puritans opposed the holiday because of its pagan roots, and officials of the massachusetts bay colony actually outlawed celebrating christmas. Christmas undoubtedly has pagan roots but having a tree. For your pleasure, here is the truth behind the christmas tree origin. Christmas, celebrated on december 25th, has its roots in ancient pagan holydays such as yule germanic, the winter solstice which is celebrated in different ways worldwide, yalda, and more. The tradition of decorating green trees during the winter solstice goes back at least as far as the egyptian and roman civilizations. And those things are in there, but the real focus through which these traditions are viewed is through the plants associated with christmas.
Although the specific practices were different in each country and culture, the symbolization was generally the same. Dating back centuries before christ, cultures brought evergreen trees, plants, and leaves into their homes upon the arrival of the winter solstice, which occurs in the northern hemisphere between december 21st and 22nd. Construction workers started the rockefeller center christmas tree tradition in 1931. Evergreens were cut down, brought in and decorated to symbolize the tree of knowledge during. We have touched on it without directly focusing on it. This was a week of feasting, giftgiving and an excuse for an orgy during the northern hemispheres winter solstice. Dec 17, 2012 though some scholars have attributed the origin of the christmas tree to pagan celebrations, it is more likely that the modern christmas tree has its beginning in christian practices. This is a rather modern practice having nothing to do with ancient pagan beliefs. It miraculously split into four pieces, revealing an evergreen tree growing from the center of the oak stump. Probably for this reason, we see it in public spaces, and people of different faiths or none at all are free to enjoy the tradition without. Christmas trees did begin as a pagan tradition as early as the fourth century c.
Start by taking back the christmas tree the christmas tree may be a pagan tradition, but it doesnt have to stay that way. Needless to say, the people readily accepted bonifaces message, and the tree eventually came to be associated with the birth of christ and a celebration of the day when the mighty god who could hurl a gigantic oak to the. Charles dickens 1843 novel a christmas carol was conceived as a way for the cashstrapped author to make a. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The christmas tree tradition christians currently practice had its origins in 16th century western germany. Refuting the pagan roots of christmas claim catholic answers. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading pagan christmas.
1274 863 471 90 259 569 1358 1124 641 1022 967 294 607 429 993 761 331 595 163 1036 582 1348 851 1391 873 725 768 119 368 473 484 1059 893 988 268 372 415 1474 547 1306 1004 566