Tradition of decorating the Christmas tree

It is impossible to imagine the New Year without a beautiful fluffy Christmas tree. For the New Year's holiday, children and adults dress up the forest beauty. Several decades ago there was no tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in our country. So where did she come from? This is exactly what will be discussed in our article.

Where did the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree come from?

The Germans claim that the origins of the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree came from Germany. Initially, trees were decorated for Christmas. The tradition began during the Middle Ages.

Residents believed that decorated trees at Christmas would bring a rich harvest. The ancient Germanic tribes had a belief that local forest spirits lived in the crowns of coniferous trees. The tribal people treated the environment with great honor and respect. They believed that if they appeased the spirits well, they would be protected.

People in the forests regularly decorated coniferous trees. Sprigs of pine needles were decorated with nuts, fruits, sweets and fresh homemade bread. The Celts believed that trees were endowed with magical meaning and were not susceptible to destructive power. Over time, local residents began to dig up spruce trees with roots and replant them near their homes. It was believed that an old spruce would be a good talisman.

In European countries, most residents refuse standard Christmas tree decorations. They are happy to decorate the Christmas tree with sweets, candies, and dried fruits. It looks beautiful and original. Those with a sweet tooth can take away the sweets at any time.

The legend of Luther King: what does the Christmas tree have to do with it?

During the birth of Christianity in Europe, the ancient inhabitants still had the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in the forest. Decorated with candies, sweets, ginger cookies, fruits, berries. The ritual of decorating coniferous trees was more reminiscent of pagan rituals than traditions in Christianity. This worried a local priest named Martin Luther King.

One winter evening, he went to the nearest forest to understand why people come here to decorate their beautiful conifers. Walking along snowy forest paths, his gaze fell on a tall, beautiful spruce. It was dusted with silvery snow and illuminated by heavenly moonlight. The picture he saw reminded him of the biblical story about the Star of Bartholomew.

The priest got the idea to bring home a Christmas tree and decorate it with lights in the shape of stars. So he did. Since then, Christians around the world began to decorate the Christmas tree with toys, bright lights, streamers, rain and tinsel for the New Year.

In chronicles you can find records dating back to the 17th century that mention Christmas trees. Starting from the 19th century, the tradition from Germany of decorating a Christmas tree before Christmas moved to other European countries: England, Finland, France, Hungary, Slovenia and others. At the beginning of the 20th century, the tradition moved from Europe to America.

The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in Russia

The great Tsar and commander of All Rus' Peter I in the 17th century issued a law on the celebration of the New Year. For the holiday, the house was decorated with fir branches and various treats were served on the table. The first Christmas tree, as an attribute of a new celebration, came to Russia with the ascension to the throne of Tsar Nicholas I.

It was he who ordered the decoration of the coniferous fir tree in the palace for the New Year, according to European traditions.The subjects followed the example of Nicholas I and decorated their homes and estates with fir trees for the upcoming Christmas and New Year. From that time on, the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree for the New Year began. In the 19th century, German culture, poetry and literature were popular in Russia. Therefore, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in homes quickly took root in all levels of society.