us today is difficult to imagine New Year holidays without a green, beautifully dressed up eating.But once our ancestors did without it.Where there was a tradition to decorate a Christmas tree?This you will learn from this article.
Christmas tree: a little bit about the character
beautiful green fir - is an essential attribute of Christmas in many countries of the world.As a rule, under the Christmas spruce imply not only a particular type of trees - spruce.The role of the festive tree with the same success serves pine or fir.Also, in recent years the increasing popularity began to use artificial simulation of live spruce.
Today this attribute New Year's mood beautifully and variously decorated with the help of colorful balloons, garlands, candles, lights and sweets.But many are wondering about where there was a tradition to decorate the Christmas tree.Let's try together to answer it.The origins of the tradition
"Weihnachtsbaum" - this is how the Germans called a Christmas tree.Responding to a question about where there was a tradition to decorate a Christmas tree for the New Year, the researchers say confidently that of Germany.The people of this country dressed up for Christmas trees still in the Middle Ages.They were sure that the plants are able to bloom and bear fruit in the Christmas night.
By the way, it should be noted that the old Germanic tribes are always treated with a special awe for the natural world, giving her divine features.They sincerely believed in the existence of so-called "forest spirits".And the strongest spirits, in their opinion, lived just in the crowns of coniferous trees.Therefore, in order to appease them, the Germans hung on the branches of fruit, nuts and a variety of sweets.By the way, that's why some people in the decoration of the Christmas tree and now refuse glass spheres and "rain" in favor of apples, nuts or candies.
Where did the tradition to decorate a Christmas tree?Legend of Martin Luther
a long time, even after the European Region commonly stuck Christianity, people continued to go on New Year's night in the forest.There they dressed up trees and fruit treats.
whole situation, which is more suited to a pagan society than for the Christian, it is extremely worried about the priest Martin Luther.And one day he wandered into the forest, thinking about this problem.In one of the field, he saw a tall and beautiful spruce, silver powdered snow, which shone brightly in the moonlight.This wonderful picture of Martin Luther reminded of the star of Bethlehem, which has become a guiding for the Magi in the Christmas night.
And so was born the reformers brilliant idea: he brought a fir tree home and decorated it with lights that resemble stars in the sky.Such is the legend that explains the tradition.
difficult to say how it can be considered true.However, we can safely trust the written documents, which were first mentioned Christmas trees.They date back to the beginning of the XVII century.Then they were decorated with apples, nuts, colored paper.It was only at the beginning of the XIX century spruce as a mandatory attribute of Christmas has spread to other European countries.And closer to the middle of the same century, a tradition rooted and overseas, particularly in the US.
Where did the tradition to decorate a Christmas tree in Russia?
now is to figure out how did this tradition has migrated to our country.Where there was a tradition to decorate a Christmas tree for the New Year in Russia?
"Window to Europe", as it is known, cut a Tsar Peter I. This applies to the New Year traditions as well.So, it was on his decree in Russia began to celebrate the New Year, and decorations in the form of twigs of coniferous trees were used in 1700.
However, the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree in Russia has become popular only in the 30s of XIX century.And the founder of its right to be considered Nicholas I. He first ordered to dress up a Christmas tree for the holiday.After that followed the example of the king and all his entourage.The popularization of this custom also helped by the fact that in the middle of the XIX century in Russia was very popular after the German culture and literature.
is very interesting and the fact that Christmas tree managed to survive the difficult times, "the fight against the opium of the people" - the years of Soviet power.Thus, immediately after the October Revolution, the Christmas holidays, and all that is connected with them, it came under the strict ban.But later, apparently, came the realization that the holidays people still need.And in 1936 the tree again becomes the main attribute of the winter holiday, but not Christmas and the New Year.The entire religious overtones of the new symbol ideologues managed to root out, and took the top of Christmas trees is not Bethlehem and the red five-pointed star.
In conclusion ...
Now you know where there was a tradition to decorate the Christmas tree.Dressing up your Christmas guests in the forest again, you'll know about the history and significance of this wonderful and beautiful custom.
