Have you ever thought about the meaning of Christmas symbols and traditions? You might be surprised at what you might find. Let’s take a look.
***Thankful***
1. Christmas Tree
Did you put up a Christmas Tree this year? According to World Atlas.com
Evergreen trees that were used as Christmas trees were used as protection against evil spirits and diseases long before the birth of Jesus and was said to have originated from Germany. They further added that Martin Luther King introduced the decoration of the Christmas trees using candles.
2. Mistletoe
The mistletoe has its origin in ancient Celts, a sacred plant that was capable of offering protection against poison, granting fertility and life. World Atlas.com further adds that the tradition has emerged over the years whereby couples kiss under it to make peace or as a promise to marry.
3. Candy Canes
I remember hanging candy canes on the Christmas tree. The red represents the blood of Jesus and white represents purity according to sofestive.com. They also added that Christmas lights represent the new light that Christ is.
4. A Rooster
Did you know that Bolivians celebrate Christmas Eve with people bringing roosters to midnight mass to symbolize the belief that a rooster was the first animal to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. That is according to greenglobaltravel.com. They further add that Guatemala’s local men dress in devil costumes and appear on the streets chasing children during the first week of Advent. It is amazing how different countries have different traditions.
4. Poinsettia
Have you ever received a Poinsettia plant or possibly gave one as a gift to someone else? I remember one Christmas my husband bought me a Poinsettia. I have now had that Poinsettia about 9 or 10 years. I did not know they could last that long. It only bloomed with the red leaves when I first received it, but the green leaves are still blossoming and are as beautiful as ever. Wilstar.com states that Poinsettias are native to Mexico; named after Joel Poinsettia. The Mexicans in the eighteenth century thought the plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem.
5. Gifts With a Bow
I learned something new. I have wrapped Christmas presents in the past and put a bow on them. I did it because it looked good, but I never thought of the meaning of doing it. Spruce.com talks about the men who brought their gifts to honor the birth of Jesus; Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar brought gifts of gold incense, and myrrh to the newborn baby Jesus and a ribbon is tied around a gift to represent how people should all be tied together in bonds of unity and goodwill during the holiday season. This reminds me of an opening song that we used to sing at the beginning of our church service. It was called “Bind us Together.” We sung about the Lord binding us all together with cords that cannot be broken. That is a powerful song.
6. Red and Green Colors
Spruce.com also talks about the color red. It is used at Christmas to represent the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross; this is also reflected in the color of holly berries, which also had pagan symbolism during the winter solstice celebrations in ancient Rome.
7. Wreaths
I discovered I really love a variety of wreaths. They are so beautiful. Countryliving.com mentions that Christmas wreaths were originally believed to be a bi-product of the Christmas tree tradition begun by Northern Europeans in the 16th century. I have seen breast cancer wreaths, summer wreaths, fall wreaths and Christmas wreaths.
8. Stockings
Countryliving.com also mentions that hanging stockings has been a tradition since the 1800s. One popular legend says a man with three daughters was worried about finding suitable husbands for the them’ Hearing about the family, St. Nicholas snuck down the chimney and filled the girls' stockings, set by the fire to dry, with gold coins.
9. Snowmen
Do you remember building a snowman when you were growing up? Over the years I have observed various creative-looking snowmen. I used to love to build a snowman and lay in the snow making an angel symbol. Snowmen symbols were especially popular during the Middle Ages, when many lacked the proper resources of outlets for artistic expression. That makes since. Snow is free and making a snowman is a great way to show creative and artistic talent. According to rd.com Michel Angelo was even commissioned to build a snowman for the ruler of Florence? Do you remember what your first snowman looked like. I believe people sometimes take some things for granted. There are so many free resources to become creative and snow is one of them. Although I could do without the snow and the ice now that I am an adult, I did love it growing up.
10. Skating
How many of you like to skate? In Venezuela they have all-night skating which ends with everyone skating to Mass at dawn. It is like a mini-festival where lots of people turn up in a park and there’s music. Can you imagine?Americanmagazine.org further states that it is a family affair and the roller skating is very much tied to the Catholic faith. They further add that it is normally nine days before Christmas although others do it just on the weekend or on Sunday and the songs being sung in the park are religious songs written specifically for Christmas. Can you imagine. I definitely could. While I like to skate I do not know that I would want to skate all night though.
What are Christmas traditions for your family? Will you share?
Photo Caption:
Pixabay, Ccats/
Pixabay, SilviaP_Design
Source:
6 Famous Christmas Symbols And Their Origins
12 Popular Christmas Symbols and What They Mean
80 Christmas Traditions Around the World (With Fun Christmas Facts)
Christmas Symbols and Their History
The Meaning of Christmas Symbols
Favorite Christmas Symbols and the Meanings Behind Them
The Fascinating History Behind These 24 Christmas Symbols
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I didn’t realize a rooster was a Christmas symbol. Thanks for broadening my horizons. I now am better-informed!
ReplyDeleteLisa I did not realize it either until I started the research. I would have never guessed this.
DeleteWow this is a lot of interesting information about Christmas. Most of these I had no idea. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour most welcome Military Traveler. Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year to you.
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