krista@iham1.UUCP (krista anderson) (12/28/84)
Hey, how come nobody posted an answer to the question about
Christmas trees? I *think* it is a pagan custom from Scandanavia,
left over from when they worshipped trees. I seem to recall that
Scandanavians used to put evergreen trees on top of their houses for
good luck or to ward off evil spirits or something. Anyone else
know for sure?
ihnp4!iham1!krista2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (henning) (01/01/85)
> > Hey, how come nobody posted an answer to the question about > Christmas trees? I *think* it is a pagan custom from Scandinavia, > left over from when they worshiped trees. I seem to recall that > Scandinavians used to put evergreen trees on top of their houses for > good luck or to ward off evil spirits or something. Anyone else > know for sure? > ihnp4!iham1!krista **** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh Even before the Christian era, trees and boughs were used for ceremonials. Egyptians, when they observed the winter solstice, brought green date palms into their homes as a symbol of "life triumphant over death." When the Romans observed the feast of Saturn, a part of the ceremony was to raise an evergreen bough. The early Scandinavians are said to have done homage to the fir tree. To the Druids, sprigs of evergreen in the house meant eternal life; to the Norseman, they symbolized the revival of the sun god Balder. To the super- stitious, the branches of evergreens placed over the door would keep out witches, ghosts, and evil spirits. The idea of decorating trees is an outgrowth of a practice adopted by early dwellers of the forest. Certain food stuffs were hung in trees to get them out of reach of prowling animals. On the other hand, trees were worshiped by many, and gifts of food were often hung in the branches as offerings or sacrifices to the deities. Such giving was a Christian trait; thus the gifts were hung in "Christian trees" -- or Christmas trees. Martin Luther (1483-1546) is believed to have started the custom of lighting the Christmas tree to simulate the beauty of the heavens and the wintry landscape: the blue light on the low hills outside Weimar and on the evergreens, the snow flakes sparkling in the moonlight. Returning home, he told his family about it and attempted to reproduce the glory of the outdoors. To a small evergreen tree he attached some lighted candles so as to portray the reflection of the starry heaven. From 1700 on, when the lights were an accepted part of the decorations, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming an accepted custom in Germany, and during the Revolution the tradition of the Christmas tree bridged the Atlantic. Hessian soldiers softened their homesickness with Christmas trees. The idea spread widely through the young land. Cambridge, MA erected a Christmas tree in 1832, and Philadelphia followed 2 years later. --------the above was from research by A. M. Sowder, USDA, 1949.
berry@zinfandel.UUCP (Berry Kercheval) (01/09/85)
In the United States, at least, it is still customary (though often disregarded in tract building) to attach a green bough or small tree to the ridge of a newly framed house. At this point, the owner is expected to throw a party in the unfinished house for the workers. -- "Take this //JOB and run it!" Berry Kercheval Zehntel Inc. (ihnp4!zehntel!zinfandel!berry) (415)932-6900