Christmas flowers
The Christmas wreath has sometimes been attributed to being a representation of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore. This is probably not accurate.
The wreath more likely represents and is related to different types of headpieces that were worn in cultures of the ancient Persian Empire. Nobles wore headpieces made of fabrics and jewels and Greeks gave Olympic victors crowns. The St. Lucia festival in Sweden celebrated on Dec 13, has the oldest daughter wear a headpiece with greenery and nine lit candles.
Laurel (A Mediterranean evergreen tree (Laurus nobilis) having aromatic, simple leaves and small blackish berries) was used for Christmas decorations in Roman Christian homes whereas Europeans favored evergreens coming from their German and Celtic solstice festivities. The evergreens stayed green representing life in the time of year that was so dark. As a result, evergreens and candles became favored and were related to the yule log that was a good luck charm used in the Nordic festival of Jol Christmas. Christmas candles may also be related to Hanukkah candles, as both of the nearly concurrent observances celebrate holy light.
European Christians in the Middle Ages used holly with its prickly leaves and red berries to represent thorns and drops of blood if Christ. There is also some belief that the cross was made of holly, though others believed it was made of oak. Holly used in Christmas decorations was often kept after the holiday for protection—against witchcraft in England and against lightning in Germany. There is no known direct connection to wreaths and Christ's crown.
Mistletoe also lasted beyond the Christmas season and up to Candlemas (February 2) and further. The kissing tradition came from an old Scandanavian custom whereby enemies who met under mistletoe in the forest would lay down their weapons and maintain a truce until the next day. Mistletoe was worshiped by Druids, who believed it could cure all diseases and is usually excluded from church decorations for that reason.
Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the American ambassador to Mexico, brought the poinsettia to this country in 1829. Mexicans called it the "flower of Holy Night" because its red bracts (they're not petals) make a shape like the Star of Bethlehem. Legends from Mexico state that a poor boy did not want to enter the church because he had no gift for the baby Jesus. He prayed and when his eyes opened, there was a blooming poisetta at his feet. He took this into the church as his gift. This flower has no pagan roots associated with its tradition.
The wreath more likely represents and is related to different types of headpieces that were worn in cultures of the ancient Persian Empire. Nobles wore headpieces made of fabrics and jewels and Greeks gave Olympic victors crowns. The St. Lucia festival in Sweden celebrated on Dec 13, has the oldest daughter wear a headpiece with greenery and nine lit candles.
Laurel (A Mediterranean evergreen tree (Laurus nobilis) having aromatic, simple leaves and small blackish berries) was used for Christmas decorations in Roman Christian homes whereas Europeans favored evergreens coming from their German and Celtic solstice festivities. The evergreens stayed green representing life in the time of year that was so dark. As a result, evergreens and candles became favored and were related to the yule log that was a good luck charm used in the Nordic festival of Jol Christmas. Christmas candles may also be related to Hanukkah candles, as both of the nearly concurrent observances celebrate holy light.
European Christians in the Middle Ages used holly with its prickly leaves and red berries to represent thorns and drops of blood if Christ. There is also some belief that the cross was made of holly, though others believed it was made of oak. Holly used in Christmas decorations was often kept after the holiday for protection—against witchcraft in England and against lightning in Germany. There is no known direct connection to wreaths and Christ's crown.
Mistletoe also lasted beyond the Christmas season and up to Candlemas (February 2) and further. The kissing tradition came from an old Scandanavian custom whereby enemies who met under mistletoe in the forest would lay down their weapons and maintain a truce until the next day. Mistletoe was worshiped by Druids, who believed it could cure all diseases and is usually excluded from church decorations for that reason.
Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the American ambassador to Mexico, brought the poinsettia to this country in 1829. Mexicans called it the "flower of Holy Night" because its red bracts (they're not petals) make a shape like the Star of Bethlehem. Legends from Mexico state that a poor boy did not want to enter the church because he had no gift for the baby Jesus. He prayed and when his eyes opened, there was a blooming poisetta at his feet. He took this into the church as his gift. This flower has no pagan roots associated with its tradition.
posted by Anonymous at 5:56 AM
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