Christmas means Christmas trees! But where does this tradition come from? Why do we decorate this coniferous tree for the festive season? What's the story behind the Christmas tree? These are just some of the questions you may be asking yourself, and there are so many different answers to them.
So where does the Christmas tree come from? The origins of the Christmas tree are as much pagan as they are Christian: as far back asRoman antiquity, people decorated their homes with conifer branches during the Saturnalia festivals, agricultural celebrations in homage to the god Saturn (Cronos in Greek mythology), father of Jupiter. A week-long festival from December 17 to 24, around the winter solstice, during which the master/escal hierarchy was suspended, no war could be declared and no condemned man executed. For seven days, the courts and schools were closed, and gifts were given to one another while delicious meals were enjoyed on large tables, without distinction of "social class".
Other peoples, other customs... In northern Europe, this was the time of year when renewal and rebirth were celebrated, and thespruce tree was the king of December, each lunar month being associated with a tree. A conifer that symbolizes life, seen as a cycle, but it was only in the Middle Ages that decorations began to appear. For example, when biblical scenes were performed on church squares, a tree was decorated with apples, in reference to thetree of paradise.
In France, it first appeared in the 12th century. In the 14th century, confectionery and flowers were added to the apples. The star didn't appear until 1560, as a distinctive sign of Protestant celebrations, to distinguish them from Catholic ones. This symbol corresponds to the Star of Bethlehem, the star that guided the Magi to Christ. Today, Christmas baubles have replaced apples, and the Christmas tree has become a fixture of the festive season. As a reminder, nearly six million Christmas trees are sold in France.
While you're waiting for December 25, discover thestory of Santa Claus.
Top 15 most beautiful Christmas trees at Paris 2024: enough to put glitter in your eyes
Would you like to discover the most beautiful 2024 Christmas trees in Paris? We'll take you on a tour of the capital's end-of-year creations and illuminations. Gilded, traditional green, sober or sumptuous, one thing's for sure: they're taking it up a notch! Discover the 15 most majestic or largest Christmas trees in Paris. [Read more]
Top 15 most beautiful Christmas trees at Paris 2024: enough to put glitter in your eyes
