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| A Brief History and Origin of Christmas Tree and Lights: Pagan Rites, Drunken Revels |
The Christmas tree’s history is not as simple as the ultimate symbol of Christianity. The modern Christmas tree was envisioned in the 18th century when people began to replace candles with electric lights, and the first illuminated trees appeared in department stores in New York City in 1890.
It was not until about 1920 that the Christmas tree became a mainstream tradition and widely popular in America.
As for its origins, many people believe it has its roots in pagan rituals celebrating the winter solstice when trees were seen as symbols of life and fertility. Others say it may be derived from Norse mythology when they left offerings of food and candles to honour Thor, the god of thunder.
A Brief History and Origin of Christmas Tree and Lights: Pagan Rites, Drunken Revels
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| A Brief History and Origin of Christmas Tree and Lights: Pagan Rites, Drunken Revels |
A Brief History of the Christmas Tree
Among the earliest known depictions of a decorated tree is on a 5th-century Roman fragment of a ninth-century Gospel of St. Luke depicting the birth of Christ.
The Norse tales describe Yule (or Jul, as it is referred to in English) and many of these appear to have served as models for the Christmas traditions that would eventually become popular in America.
A Yule log was burned over an open fire in the Christmas home to symbolize the light and warmth of the year. It was also associated with the Wodan, a god of winter solstice whose origins are still not completely known.
Other beliefs on Yule included Wodan serving as a judge who meted out judgment on men, and the leaving of food or branches, representing the giving of gifts.
The Origin of Christmas Tree and Christmas Lights
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| The Origin of Christmas Tree and Christmas Lights |
The earliest example of a Christmas tree was found in France, erected by the druids in the 6th century. The trees were planted and then tended to like any other tree, the druids believed they could take on “their” powers.
The first mention of a pagan custom in the Bible comes from an entry in the First Epistle of Clement, a letter written by Saint Clement of Alexandria in AD 100. He wrote about the custom of making “trees” out of what had once been the dead in their tombs. The trees were called “holy trees.”
These trees could be brought into their families and grown for another year. The living trees were used as Christmas trees as long as they did not fall from their roots.
What Is The Symbolism Behind Lighting a Christmas Tree?
The symbolism associated with a Christmas tree is believed to have been derived from the pagan rituals that occurred during the winter solstice when trees and their branches were seen as a representation of life and light.
Winter solstice was a celebration that was eventually merged with Christian traditions, according to LDS Church's Family Home Evening Website.
The lighting of the tree was one of the earliest forms of Western Pagan observance. As Christianity began to replace Paganism, the tree became a symbol for Jesus Christ’s birth in the darkest time of the year. Today, the tree is also a symbol of Christ’s nativity and birth in a stable.
Interesting Facts about the Invention of Electric Lights for Christmas Trees
While the Christmas tree has no one inventor, it is widely accepted that lights were not first invented for Christmas trees, but by Thomas Edison.
He developed the first practical incandescent bulbs in the mid-1870s, but by the time he started offering them for Christmas trees, in 1882, Edison’s bulbs were sold to people all year round.
How many Christmas trees do you see during the Christmas season? Do you make any of your own decorations or do you buy them from a store? Do you have a favourite decoration from when you were a child? How about your favourite Christmas movie? Are you having a white Christmas?
This post is part of our ongoing series “A Brief History of…” and our 3rd post will be on one of the most popular and well-known Christmas legends in the world – Santa Claus.
How to Make Your Own Unique Christmas Tree Decoration?
And yet others think it’s more pure Celtic blood from the long-ago pagan pre-Christian tradition of decorating the tops of trees with evergreens and lights, and then burying the trees during winter.
This is the idea behind the pagan solstice festival of Yule, which began on December 21, the winter solstice, and lasted until December 26. This practice has been replaced with Christmas traditions as Christianity took over and became popular during the late Middle Ages.
Whatever the actual source, the tradition of hanging a tree with lights and ornaments came in the late 19th century when electric lights were introduced. Most Americans weren’t using electric lights back then, but some people were.
The tree itself was a fixture at Victorian homes.
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A Brief History and Origin of Christmas Tree and Lights: Pagan Rites, Drunken Revels
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