The Pagan History of the Christmas Tree
There are many pagan or pre-Christian customs that are still part of the Christmas celebration. The use of jingling balls is an Old Norse custom to drive away the evil spirits, at a time where night was longer than day and so spirits had more time to get around and cause trouble. Yule trees tended to be Fir or Pine as such evergreens were cherished as a natural symbol of rebirth and life amid winter whiteness. Holly was particularly prized to decorate doors, windows and fireplaces because of its prickliness which could either ward off or snag and capture evil spirits before they could enter and harm a household, rather like flypaper for nasty sprites!
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the pagan Yule celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months and bells were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present. Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree. The colours of the season, red and green, also are of pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts.
The Pre-Christian Romans celebrated the Winter Solstice with a festival called Saturnalia. They decked their houses with boughs of evergreen trees and bushes in pots. People gave each other presents, and all normal business was suspended. Servants and slaves were given a feast by their masters who waited on them at table.
Pagan tree photograph by Plumbum, used under a creative commons attribution licence.
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