THE CHRISTMAS TREE
 

Decorating a tree with lights and ornaments has become a common tradition, and we almost forgot that its origin has nothing to do with the Christian world and came instead from a pagan celebration.

In fact, already many centuries ago, the Germanic people used a pine tree every year to celebrate the winter solstice on December 21: according to Germanic mythology, the evergreen pine tree was the symbol of vital energy and so reminded men that, even during winter nature was not dead and was about to start a new life cycle.

Later, when Christianity widespread in Europe, this celebration of December 21 was assimilated by Christian tradition, and the pine tree entered our homes and became our Christmas tree - first in Germany, around 700 AD.

The Christmas decorations were the hosts, followed shortly after by candies for good girls and boys. By the end of the sixteenth century, the Christmas tree was already decorated with silver or gold nuts and hanging paper-flower garlands. It wasn't until the eighteenth century that candles came into use. During the nineteenth century, glass ornaments of decoration started being produced in Germany.

With time, the tradition of the Christmas tree spread out of Europe and reached other countries; it is still expanding.

In 1906 at the small town of Pietarsaari, in Finland, some people had the bright idea of bringing a huge Christmas tree to the main market place and decorating it with lights. Years later, in 1912, the New-Yorkers - who had no knowledge about the Christmas tree of Pietarsaari - had the same brilliant idea and thought they were the first to show a tree decorated with lights. But that was obviously not the case!

The traditional Christmas tree in Portugal is a pine tree, the southern-European cousin-tree of the northern-European fir. Every country has its own traditions; and certain traditions are part of a country's cultural heritage - losing them, is losing part of its identity as an independent country!

And now, a curious aspect about pine or fir trees and other conifers in general. Do you know why these evergreen trees always look green? Well, it's because of their needle-shaped leaves that remain long on the tree and don't all fall at the same time.

And since pinecones are the fruits of the pine tree, I invite you to read the Legend of the Silver Pinecones.

© Dulce Rodrigues