Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays around the world. It is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. While Christmas has religious significance for Christians, many non-religious people and cultures also celebrate Christmas in various ways, often incorporating Santa Claus, gift-giving, family gatherings, decorations, festive meals and more into the celebrations. But what is the main symbol associated with Christmas that captures the essence of this holiday season?
The Christmas Tree
The most iconic and recognizable symbol of Christmas is undoubtedly the Christmas tree. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree with lights and ornaments during the Christmas season originated in Germany in the 16th century. From there it spread to other parts of Europe and eventually made its way to America in the 19th century as more German immigrants came to the U.S.
The Christmas tree has distinctly Christian roots and symbolism. The evergreen, which stays green throughout the winter, represents life and the promise of spring to come. The star or angel that is often placed at the top represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to the baby Jesus. The lights represent Jesus Christ being the light of the world. And the decorations and gifts under the tree harken to the gifts of the Magi to the Christ child.
But the Christmas tree has also become a secular symbol of Christmas as well, representing general ideas of light, joy, nature and gifts during the darkest time of the year. The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree is now practiced by people of many faiths and cultures. The lights, ornaments, tinsel and candy canes help set a festive mood during the Christmas season. And the gifts piled under the tree represent the spirit of giving associated with the holidays.
Origins of the Christmas Tree Tradition
Evergreen trees have been used to mark winter festivals for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians decorated with evergreens during the winter solstice festival. In Northern Europe, Vikings and Saxons put evergreen branches in their homes and barns to ward off evil spirits during the winter.
The modern Christmas tree tradition has its origins in 16th century Germany. It started with “Paradise trees,” evergreens decorated with apples to represent the Garden of Eden during plays put on by craft guilds that celebrated Adam and Eve on December 24th. This then evolved into Christmas trees decorated with sweets, fruits, paper flowers and candies. By the early 18th century, the custom of putting up a Christmas tree was widespread in Germany.
German immigrants brought the tradition to America in the 1700s. But Christmas trees didn’t gain popularity in America until the 19th century. In 1846, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were featured in the Illustrated London News standing around a Christmas tree, helping the tradition from Germany become fashionable in England and America. By the 1890s, putting up a Christmas tree had become common in American homes.
Selection and Decoration of Christmas Trees
Evergreen trees that are commonly used as Christmas trees include fir, pine, spruce and cypress. The most popular varieties used for Christmas trees are:
- Fraser Fir – a sturdy tree with good needle retention
- Balsam Fir – fragrant with a classic Christmas tree shape
- Douglas Fir – very popular with excellent needle retention
- Scotch Pine – bright green color retained throughout the season
- White Pine – soft needles with flexibility to support lots of ornaments
Christmas trees are traditionally put up and decorated on the first weekend of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas. However, some people put up their tree after Thanksgiving or wait until closer to Christmas. Part of the fun of Christmas trees is choosing and decorating them.
Here are some typical ways that Christmas trees are decorated:
- With lights – Christmas tree lights are typically mini lights, LED lights, or fiber optic lights. Multicolored or all-white lights are most common.
- With tinsel – Thin shiny metallic strips of tinsel are draped over the branches.
- With garland – Strands of beads or popcorn are often hung as garlands.
- With ribbon – Ribbons in holiday colors are tied into bows and hung on branches.
- With ornaments – Ornaments of glass, wood, metal or other materials are hung from branches. Ornaments may be colored spheres, snowflakes, icicles, animals, clip-on bows, and more. Or they may be sentimental ornaments with nativity scenes, Santa Claus, reindeer, etc.
- With a tree topper – Either a star or an angel tree topper is placed at the very top of the tree.
- With presents – Gifts are piled underneath the tree, representing gift-giving during the Christmas season.
The decor on a Christmas tree is often very colorful, shiny, and bright. Popular Christmas tree color schemes are red, green and gold; blue, silver and white; or multicolored with lots of variety.
Other Christmas Symbols
While the Christmas tree is the most iconic symbol, there are a number of other symbols associated with the Christmas season including:
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle or just Santa, is a legendary figure said to deliver gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on Christmas Eve. The modern Santa Claus grew out of European folklore about St. Nicholas combined with the British figure of Father Christmas. Santa is typically depicted as a jolly old man with a white beard dressed in red with white trim. His reindeer-drawn sleigh and sack of gifts for children around the world make him an iconic Christmas symbol of generosity and the joy of giving.
Candy Canes
These striped, hooked candy sticks were first associated with Christmas in the 17th century. Their red and white stripes are said to represent Jesus’ sacrifice and purity. Candy canes are hung on Christmas trees as decor, used as stocking stuffers, or just eaten as a sweet Christmas treat.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are a flower that blooms in winter with red, pink or white petals. They became linked with Christmas in America in the 1830s when Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, brought the winter-blooming plant back from Mexico and began growing them in his South Carolina greenhouse. With their bright seasonal colors, poinsettias are now a popular Christmas decoration.
Holly and Mistletoe
Holly, with its prickly edges and red berries, and mistletoe, a parasitic plant with white berries, have long been used as Christmas decorations. In some cultures, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship and hanging it over doorways was thought to promote reconciliation. Both plants remain common Christmas decorations today, often included in wreaths or garlands.
Nativity Scene
A nativity scene refers to a visual representation of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ using figurines to portray key characters and elements. Standard figures include the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, wise men, and animals in the stable scene. Nativity scenes originated in Italy in the 13th century and are now common Christmas decorations that remind us of the religious meaning of the holiday.
Bells
Bells symbolize ringing out news of Jesus’ birth and are often used in Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells.” Small decorative bells are also common Christmas tree ornaments and holiday decor.
Christmas Wreaths
Christmas wreaths made of evergreens are circular, representing eternity and everlasting life. They often contain holly, mistletoe, pinecones, berries, flowers, and ribbons. Christmas wreaths adorn front doors, walls, tables and more, often with red velvet bows or Christmas tree lights.
Snowflakes and Snowmen
Although Christmas takes place during the winter in the northern hemisphere, many areas don’t actually see snow on December 25th. Yet snow-covered winter landscapes remain iconic symbols of Christmas. Snowflakes, snowmen, and images of sledding and ice skating evoke feelings of the cold, crisp weather during the Christmas season.
Christmas Stockings
According to legend, the original Saint Nicholas dropped coins down the chimney of a family in need, where they landed in the daughters’ stockings hung by the fireplace to dry. Christmas stockings are now a classic tradition where children hang up empty stockings on Christmas Eve to find them filled with treats and presents the next morning.
Christmas Lights
Twinkle lights adorning houses and Christmas trees represent the light of Jesus coming into the world. Neighborhoods often hold competitions to see who has the most elaborate and extreme Christmas lights displays. Lights are so iconic during the holidays that many areas have special Christmas light shows where people can drive through and view elaborate lighting setups.
Meaning Behind the Symbols
Christmas symbols fall into two main categories – secular and religious.
Many secular Christmas symbols represent things like winter, snow, gifts, Santa Claus and festive celebrations rather than direct connections to Christianity. These secular symbols have become tied to Christmas through popular culture and commercialization of the holiday. They convey the joy, activities, nostalgia and values associated with the Christmas season.
Religious Christmas symbols have strong connections back to the original events of Christ’s birth. They remind us of the true “reason for the season” and retain religious significance even as other aspects of Christmas have become more secularized.
Overall, Christmas symbols speak to the magic, nostalgia, meaning and values connected to the holiday. Whether secular or religious, they provide imagery that conjures up the memories and true spirit of the Christmas season and helps bring joy and happiness. They add sparkle, fun, beauty and warmth to the holiday in the middle of winter’s cold and darkness.
Conclusion
The Christmas tree is the preeminent symbol of the Christmas season. Its origins trace back centuries to Germany, with the practice spreading around the world to become a near universal Christmas custom. The evergreen tree, with its lights, colorful decorations and pile of gifts underneath, embodies the holiday spirit and the essence of Christmas. It ushers in the Christmas season more than any other symbol. But Christmas trees are far from the only symbolic representations associated with the holiday. Santa Claus, poinsettias, nativity scenes, candy canes, bells, and mistletoe are just some of the other symbols that have come to represent aspects of this beloved winter holiday celebration.