The History of the Christmas Wreaths
The circle is the first known shape in human history. It is the basis of geometry, astrology and astronomy. Ancient scientists believed it had divine powers since it has no beginning or end. The circle remains the world's most popular religious shape in many faiths. Christianity uses it throughout its worship for it represents the eternal circle of life. During the Christmas season, one of the best known and sacred symbols is the wreath. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ancient Influence
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Greeks first used wreaths to worship their gods and bestow honors on its citizens. Layers of leaves from the Bay Laurel evergreen tree that symbolized strength formed wreaths awarded to athletes in honor of Apollo. In Roman society, early wreaths represented authority and eternity. Prominent Romans wore them during religious and civic ceremonies. Many Romans hung the wreaths on their doors, and even had the wreaths buried with them as a sign of power in the afterlife.
Roman Influence
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The Roman empire conquered the known world spreading its influence throughout Europe, and especially dominated life in Germany and Britain. One of the most important annual Roman religious events was the Saturnalia or harvest festival. It honored Saturn, the Roman god of sowing during the winter solstice. Romans continued giving wreaths as gifts now made with holly berries while the native Druids observed the curious Roman customs.
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Druid Influence
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Druids, a Celtic society of priests and sorcerers, lived in the European woodlands. The Druid culture adapted many of the Roman customs into their pagan ones. They wore circles of holly and mistletoe in the hair. The Druids believed holly had magical and healing powers. Farmers made sick cattle walk through a holly ring as a cure. Druids formed wreaths from pine branches for their solstice ceremonies similar to the Roman Saturnalia. Peasants adorned their cottages with wreaths as a symbol of protection.
Christian Influence
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With the spread of Christianity in Europe, the wreath's purpose and use expanded in new ways. Growing Christian beliefs replaced the mystical, pagan rituals. The eternal circle symbolized the enduring love between God and his son, Jesus. Wreaths made from evergreen branches contained holly berries and red ribbons that represented the blood of Christ. The wreath became an icon of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore during his crucifixion. Rome declared Christianity the empire's main religion, and Emperor Justinian made Christmas an official holiday in the fifth century.
The Advent Wreath
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Advent, Latin for the coming, is a custom of spiritual reflection started by the German people to begin the celebration of the Christmas season. A wreath contained four candles to represent a light in the darkest winter months in hope of the coming spring. Three violet candles, each lighted a week before Christmas, represented hope, peace and love. The color of the fourth candle was red, and was lit on Christmas Eve. By the Renaissance, all Christian nations used advent wreaths. A white candle was placed inside the wreath and lit on Christmas Day. The color stood for the birth of Jesus.
The Christmas Wreath
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By the 15th century, the tradition of the wreath spread throughout Christianity. Pilgrims brought the wreath to America where it flourished. The advent wreath remained popular, but a secular style of wreaths arose. Ribbons of various colors including gold intertwined with beads and holly berries in large pine wreaths found their way into society. In England, wreaths also contained roses placed in the arrangement. Desert brush made up wreaths used in Mexico, and decorated Spanish missions in the Southwest. Today the Christmas wreath remains one of the most distinctive symbols of the holiday season.
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References
- Photo Credit a christmas wreath wreath image by Piter Pkruger from Fotolia.com
