The evergreen fir tree was once held in high regard, as a symbol of fertility, by many ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and the Romans. However, it is the Christmas holiday season that the fir tree has become most associated with. There cannot be many folks, who do not recognize the image of a Christmas tree. Moreover, how many little children do not look forward to seeing all those presents under the Christmas tree when The 25th of December rolls around. So how did the humble fir tree transcend from a fertility symbol to a sign if happiness and joy that it is today. Read on for a brief history of the Christmas tree tradition.
Whether it is a twenty-four inch Christmas table decoration or a huge twenty-foot fir that touches the living room ceiling, nobody wants the Christmas tree to fall down. Aside from damaging the tree and the ornaments that adorn it, there is all the mess to clean up as well. Fortunately, with a little effort and common sense, it is easy to prevent such a catastrophe.
Every Christmas season there is always that office party, neighborhood get-together, or family reunion that brings everybody together, whether they like it or not, to the same place. At that place, wherever it may be, there is the one Christmas tree, which everybody is supposed to admire and compliment. The problem comes when you are the one who is hosting the party and needs to get a tree up and decorated as soon as possible, while you are running around with a turkey and a hundred and one other things to do.
As with many other Christmas traditions, the origins of the Christmas tree originated in Germany. In the seventh century, an English monk from Devonshire traveled to Germany to preach the word of God. He spent time in Thuringia, an area of Germany, which became the center of the Christmas decoration industry. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the fir tree to describe the trinity of god the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Folk began to revere the fir tree instead of the traditional oak. The original Christmas trees were hung, upside down from ceilings as a symbol of Christianity.