The Christmas tree is a beloved symbol that instantly conjures up images of gifts and family joy. There are many beautiful connections to ancient traditions. Egyptian and Roman customs, early Christian practices, and Victorian nostalgia combine in our modern Christmas tree.
Greek fir is commonly used as a Christmas tree. The ancient Greeks called the tree “pity” and, along with the pine, it was sacred to Pan. Legend tells us that Pan was once in love with a nymph named Pity, just like the god of the north wind. Pity chose Pan and the god of the wind, insulted and humiliated, threw her down a canyon to death. Pan found her lifeless body and made her his sacred fir. Since then, every time the north wind blows, he can feel sorry for himself by crying, and his tears are the droplets of tar that escape from the fir trees every autumn.
Ever since ancient times, evergreens have been revered as a representation of sexual potency and fertility, and they played an important role in winter celebrations. Perhaps the Christmas tree is a watered-down version of the Scandinavian Yggdrasil, the Great Tree of Life. In Northern Europe, the evergreen was a reminder that the long dark winter nights would end and the green of spring would return. For Saturnalia, the Romans decorated their trees with suns, candles and small pieces of metal and today we still bring trees to our houses and decorate them.
During the winter solstice, Egyptians brought green palms to their homes to symbolize the triumph of life over death. Live trees in large tubs were brought into homes during the old German Yule festival. Prince Albert, husband and consort of Queen Victoria, continued this German tradition by adorning a tree with candles, sweets, fruits and gingerbread. Although generally opposed to anything of German origin, the English public had great affection for their queen and soon adopted the custom for themselves.
Some say that the Christmas tree is an evolution of Paradise Plays. Beginning in the 11th century, these popular religious works were performed outdoors and in churches. It told the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The only accessory on stage was the “tree of paradise”, a fir tree adorned with apples. From this tree, at the appropriate time in the play, Eve would take the fruit, eat it, and give it to Adam.
A legend tells that Saint Boniface met some German pagans about to sacrifice a child at the base of an oak. He cut down the oak to avoid sacrifice and a fir grew in its place. Saint Boniface told the pagans that this was the Tree of Life and represented the Christ.
Another delightful legend is told of the time when Herod’s soldiers were chasing the Holy Family, when many plants were offered to provide shelter for them. One of those plants was pine. With Mary too tired to travel further, the family stopped at the edge of a forest to rest and an old gnarled pine that had sunk over the years invited them to rest within its trunk. Then, it closed its branches, keeping the family safe until the soldiers had passed. As they were leaving, the Child Jesus blessed the Pine and the imprint of his tiny hand remained forever on the fruit of the tree … the pineapple. If you cut a cone lengthwise, you can still see the hand.
Martin Luther also appears in the legends of the Christmas tree. One night the founder of the Protestant religion was taking a walk in the woods. The sky was clear and many stars were shining through the branches of the trees, giving the impression of twinkling lights. Luther was so captivated and inspired by the beautiful brightness of the sight that he cut down a small evergreen tree and took it home. He recreated the stars by placing candles on the branches of the tree to mimic its glow and presented it to his children.
Whatever legend you like, be sure to tell the story when you gather around your own Christmas tree.