What Does The Christmas Tree Represent Pagan

This article will investigate the origins of the christmas tree tradition and will investigate the place of symbols.

What does the christmas tree represent pagan. According to the encyclopedia britannica the use of evergreen trees wreaths and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient egyptians chinese and hebrews. In america president benjamin harrison 1889 93 was the first president to have a christmas tree in the white house in 1889 and this greatly increased its popularity in the united states 28 decorations for the christmas tree have greatly changed over the years. The christmas tree symbolizes the spirit of the christmas season and to christians the everlasting life and sacrifice of jesus christ. 1 for many people today it is primarily as a secular symbol of hope for the new year and the future return of warmth to the earth.

She was worshipped by many civilizations in the middle east. In ancient times the goddess asherah was known the queen of heaven. The truth is that the christmas tree and the decorations we put on the tree have ancient roots in pagan fertility traditions. To celebrate the return of life at the.

Queen victoria prince albert popularise christmas trees. But there is at least one story a story with fairly reliable credentials which represents it as a christian repudiation of these pagan practices. Some condemn the christmas tree because they believe that the custom of cutting down a tree erecting it in the home and decorating it is a pagan custom. Trees were later used instead with lights placed upon them in the form of small candles and thus the christmas tree was born.

Dating back centuries before christ cultures brought evergreen trees plants and leaves into their homes upon the arrival of the winter solstice which occurs in the northern hemisphere between december 21st and 22nd although the specific practices were different in each country and culture the symbolization was generally the same. Queen victoria s popularity in english speaking countries soon led to many other countries adopting the christmas tree custom. At a certain level the tradition of the christmas tree does appear to have historical connections with ancient germanic tree worship and idolatry. In the bible the cross upon which jesus was crucified is often referred to as a tree.

Christmas trees are widely associated with the christian holiday but their origins are far from the christ worshipping standards they represent today. The lights and decorations on the tree represent the wonder and glory associated with the birth and resurrection of jesus. One of the symbols most closely associated with asherah was a tree.