Inverted Christmas Tree Origins According to the legend, Boniface saw a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree, and in response he cut down the tree and in its place grew a fir. Then, Boniface cut down the fir and turned it upside down, using its triangular shape as a way of explaining the Holy Trinity to the pagans.
Why were Christmas trees originally hung upside down?
Turning a Christmas tree upside down first became a tradition in the Middle Ages when Eastern European Christians would flip them to represent the Trinity and Christ being crucified, according to TheSpruce.com.
Did Victorians hang Christmas trees upside down?
In the 19th century, it was apparently not uncommon for some to hang upside-down Christmas trees from the rafters of homes. “In the small common rooms of the lower classes, there was simply no space,” CBC reports Bernd Brunner wrote in his book, Inventing the Christmas Tree.
Did Christmas trees used to be hung upside down?
Hanging fir trees upside-down in the home harkens back to the Middle Ages when Europeans employed the act in order to represent the Holy Trinity. The first to do this, according to many sources, was Saint Boniface, a Benedictine monk, who used the inverted trees as a theological teaching tool for pagan Germans.
Who started hanging Christmas trees upside down?
But it was southern Poland where the trend really thrived. In a tradition called podłazniczek, Polish people used “fruit, nuts, sweets wrapped in shiny paper, straw, ribbons, gold-painted pine cones” to decorate a spruce hanging upside down from the ceiling in the center of the room, according to The Spruce.
Why do Germans hang Christmas trees from the ceiling?
The History and Meaning of Upside-Down Christmas Trees
Legend has it that Boniface, a Benedictine monk, used the triangular shape of a fir tree to explain the Holy Trinity to pagans in Germany. It was subsequently hung end-over-end in celebration of Christianity.
Where did the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree come from?
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.
Why do Jews put up Christmas trees?
It was a pretty way to commemorate the winter solstice or winter holidays.” “Christmas isn’t even mentioned in the New Testament – trees were not necessarily ubiquitous at Christmas – so some Jews felt the trees were a symbol that could be shared by people of all faiths,” said Sarna.
Why do Germans hide a pickle in the Christmas tree?
Description. In the tradition, an ornamental pickle is placed on a Christmas tree as one of the Christmas decorations. On Christmas morning, the first person to find the pickle on the tree would receive an extra present from Santa Claus or would be said to have a year of good fortune.
What do Americans put under their Christmas tree and why?
It is customary to decorate Christmas trees with electric lights, garlands and ornaments and place gifts bought for family and friends underneath. Young children sometimes leave cookies and milk for Santa Claus beneath the tree, and leave carrots or oats for his reindeers to snack on, as well.
How were Christmas trees decorated in Victorian times?
Christmas trees were traditionally decorated with dried fruit, candies in wrappers, cookies, nuts, and strands of popcorn or cranberries. Small home made gifts were also popular. Decorations of tin, leather or glass would become cherished heirlooms.
What were Victorian Christmas traditions?
Giving Gifts
Presents were shared on the evening of Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day as is traditional in the 21st century. In the royal household Queen Victoria insisted unwrapped presents be spread out across tables, as they did with royal birthdays.
How did Victorians decorate Christmas trees?
In Victorian times, the tree would have been decorated with candles to represent stars. In the Edwardian period Christmas trees were made from coloured ostrich feathers. Nowadays they can be decorated with lights, tinsel and baubles – and even some homemade decorations too!
What did Christmas trees look like in the 1800s?
They were often decorated with apples, gilded nuts and red paper strips. Edible ornaments became so popular on Christmas Trees that they were often called “sugartrees.” The first accounts of using lighted candles as decorations on Christmas Trees come from France in the 18th century.