You see them everywhere. Christmas Trees, Santas, Menorahs, candles, wreaths and lights. Yes, they are the symbols of the Holiday season. But, how much do you really know about them? Where have all the symbols come from and what kind of history do they have?
Here is your assignment: Pick a symbol of the upcoming holiday season and find out about (research) it. Then tell us about the history, origin or other interesting information about your chosen symbol in your posting!
This should be at least 5 sentences long and be proofread. Have fun and I hope you learn something new! Here is some music to enjoy while you work!
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The origin of the Christmas wreath dates back to ancient times. They are believed to be a symbol of importance and success. They were smaller in size and were given as presents called diadems. People use to wear wreaths as headbands, and sometimes with jewels also. Julius ceaser wore a wreath on his head back in ancient times.
In Europe, Christmas originated because the end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many people it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking and so forth the celebration of December succeeded.
A symbol of Christmas has always been Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. It was originally created by an employee of Montgomery Ward. He has been featured in several movies, songs and other things linked to Christmas. Johnny Marks decided to adapt the deer into one of the most popular christmas songs. The song is the only one week hit to fall of the chart after reaching the top of the charts during Christmas week 1949.
There are many symbols during Christmas that stands for some- thing important. The Christmas tree symbols God's everlasting love us, the lights represents the heavens, and the star represents the star the wise men followed. The Holly symbolizes two things, the thorns is compaired to the crown of thorns that Jesus wore, the red berries symbols the blood that Jesus shed for all. The candles sybolize that each of us are to be a light to the world.
Candy Cane’s were invented sometime around the mid-17th century in Europe. The hook shape of the cane stands for the shepherd hook; also it stands for the good shepherd, Jesus Christ. The hook was invented by a minister in Germany in 1670. They are used in Europe and the U.S to decorate Christmas trees. The peppermint flavoring came in after the turn of the century.
In ancient Rome people hung up wreaths as a sign of victory. Many people believe this is where the hanging of wreaths on doors came from. There are many types of wreaths, the most popular one is the Advent wreath. The wreath is crafted with four candles in a circle of evergreens with a fifth candle in the middle. The middle candle is the last to be lightened. It signifies the birth of Jesus Christ.
There are many Christmas stories about Saint Nicholas (Santa Clause). There are indicators that his life story was recycled from those of Pagan gods. His legends were created by Pagan gods and goddesses. The change from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus happened in America, with inspiration from the Dutch.
In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity. The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night.
Historians believe that the triangular shaped Fir Tree was used to represent the Holy Trinity of the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The converted people revered the tree as God’s tree. By the 12-century the tree was hung upside-down from ceilings at the Christmastime in central Europe. The upside-down tree was used as the symbol of Christianity. But the first actual decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, 1510. The decorated tree was used to teach children how the stars twinkled through the dark night.
People started putting lights on Christmas trees in the 27th century. They would attach small candles to the ends of the branches on trees. People didn’t put their trees up until Dec. 25, because the risk of fire. once electric Christmas tree lights were invented people started putting their trees up earlier and left them up longer.
The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice(meaning season) arrived, they brought green palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death. The Romans also celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture and decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. Coins were given for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life. The Druids, (another tribe), used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.
Well everyone has their beliefs about Christmas. Some believe that Christmas is a time to spend time with friends and family. While others believe that it is the remembering of the birth of Christ. We see all of these different types of symbols that symbolize Christmas. Like Rudolph the red nose reindeer, The legend says that he would lead Santa's sleigh at night because his nose was bright.
In the 1800's, a man in Indiana created the Candy Cane. Before the 1900's the Candy Canes were just, white, but in the 1900's they were decorated with stripes. They used to be handed out in church to keep the kids quiet. When you turn it upside down it looks like a J for Jesus, and if turn right side up, it looks like a shepherds staff.
The Christmas wreath came from the pre-Christian Germanic people. During the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe the Pre-Christian Germanic people lighted fires with wreaths of evergreen. They lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. By tradition the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreen. A candle is lite everyday succeeding to December 25 before every evening meal. The middle candle is lite last and is taking place on Christmas Eve. That is to represent Jesus Christ being born.
Some people say that the Christmas tree is an ever green “pagan” symbol. Legend has it that Martin Luther started the tradition for decorating the trees to celebrate Christmas. I don’t know how true that is. I thought people just put the ornaments up for decorating. I never thought that it came from pagans.
There many different symbols of the Christmas Holiday! My favorite symbol of Christmas is the candy cane. Candy Cane’s were invented sometime around the mid-17th century in Europe. The hook shape of the cane stands for the shepherd hook; also it stands for the good shepherd. The peppermint flavoring came in after the century took its turn. My favorite type of candy cane is blueberry!
I have chosen the Christmas tree and ornaments. some people say that the Christmas tree represents Jesus being crucified. Other people simply believes that there is only a Christmas tree because of ornaments. Candle lights were added to Christmas trees to explain the story of Christmas. Germans also introduced the Christmas tree as a part of their holiday celebrations.
The menorah is the nine-branched candle holder used during Hanukkah. It's origins date back to the rededication of an ancient temple. There was only enough oil to last for one day, but it lasted (miraculously) for eight days. Since then, it has been used in celebration. The middle candle, called the shamash, is used to light all the others, one night at a time. The number of candles lit per night increases until the eighth day, when all eight plus the shamash are lit. Certain temples do the opposite, with less candles being lit until only one remains.
Christmas Cookies first came around about 10,000 years ago in the Neolithic age where farmers baked food made of grainy, water paste that was cooked on hot stones. These are believed to be the beginnings of cookies. Lebkuchen (gingerbread) was the first known baked sweet to be related to Christmas. The word cookies comes from the Dutch word “koekje”. The name over many years spread to all nations and launguges.
The mistletoe is an interesting symbol. It started as being considered occult because Jesus was supposedly crucified on it. The the druids used it in most winter solstice festivals. The evergreen nature was considered a sign of fertility, so people started kissing under it to have good relationships. That is how it got associated with Christmas.
Menorah is the Jewish holiday object like the Christmas tree is Christian and Atheist. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the successful Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy. The Menorah has eight candles because during the time of the Jewish revolt, their temple was under siege. They thought they had only enough olive oil to light the Menorah for one night, but the supply lasted for eight nights until they were resupplied. This still goes on till this day, the holiday I mean.
The origin of the Christmas trees dates back to ancient times.The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshiped evergreens.When the winter solstice(meaning season) arrived, they brought green palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.The Druids, (another tribe), used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.Coins were given for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.
The candy cane has always been a widely used symbol for Christmas. The candy cane began in the seventeenth century, and were originally used as decorations for Christmas trees. They started simply as straight, white sugar sticks. Around 1670 the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral started to bend the sticks into the shape of a shepard's crook. These were easily hung on trees and the candy cane tradition made its way into America by the 1800's. The red stripes did not appear on candy canes until the early 20th century, which gives them their familiar appearance. Some people say that candy canes are a religious symbol. The white stripe represents the purity of Jesus and the red stands for God's love. The three stripes represent the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are many other religious interpretations of the candy cane, but many people just love the taste and reminder that it's the Christmas season!
However, I'm a baptist, not Jewish... I found a lot of information on Wikipedia.
In the early 20th century, people in America started decorating their Christmas trees, mainly with homemade ornaments. While Americans did this German-Americans continued to use nuts, apples, and marzipan cookies. Once electricity was introduced, people started to put lights on thier trees, which made them able to be seen at night. Now having a Christmas tree in your house for Christmas has become a tradition in America. To some people the
Christmas tree symbolizes the immortality of Christ because the tree is an evergreen and doesn't die, fade away, or loose its needles in the winter.
To Germans mistletoe was called a Gut Hyl. They used the plant in potions and fertility drug. The candles are to substitute for the oil lamps that were in the Bible. The Christmas tree was to represent immortality, resiliency, longevity, and rebirth. Santa came from Turkey in the 4th century; he was known to be a jolly fat man.
People hung wreaths in Ancient Rome as a sign of victory. People believe this is why they are hung today. The most popular wreath is the Advent Wreath. Pre-Christian Germanic people gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as symbols of good luck and happiness. The tradition now is four candles are lit around it and one in the middle. Three candles are violet and one is rose. A candle is lit every day. People light one a week every week until Christmas day.
The orgin of the Christmas tree dates back to the Egyptians. The Egyptains treasured and worshiped the evergreen trees, because when the winter solstice came they bought the evergree palms into there homes to symbolize life's triumph over the dead. Also in Great Britain the Druids put evergreen palms over their doors to keep evil sprits away. The evergreens were also used as symbols of eternal life for the British. The Germans used them in hopes that the spring come earlier in the year rather than its regular time.
the symbol that I picked is the Christmas Tree. I learned that in the 7th centry a monk of Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. he spent much of his time in Thuringia. Which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry. the Triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father. the first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510
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