Evolution of Christmas tree

In most parts of the world, winter is cold and harsh; the Christmas tree, with its ornaments and twinkling lights, is a sign of warmth and gaiety. The Christmas tree is such a popular symbol of the winter holiday that it has been adopted by people of many faiths all over the world.

Many ancient cultures perceived trees to be symbols of the universe, and trees were often associated with the many pagan solar deities whose birthdays were celebrated during the winter solstices. Evergreen trees in particular were seen as symbols of divinity and immortality, because they do not 'die' as other trees do. The evergreen tree has also been long associated with gift giving- citizens of ancient Rome celebrated the Saturnalia, a week long December festival honoring the God Saturnus, by exchanging gifts attached to evergreen branches.

In an Old Norse tradition, evergreens were burned to encourage the return of the sun. A direct descendent of this practice, which is still carried out in remote parts of Europe, is the Yule log.

The custom of burning a tree was eventually replaced with trees or wooden pyramids decorated with burning candle, which are still common in many households in Europe.

As trees have long been a symbol of rebirth, the Christmas tree became a natural symbol for the resurrected God of Christianity. The first known record of a decorated tree honoring the Christian nativity was a sixteenth century description of a tree decorated with "roses cut out of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gold foil and sweets," which was burned in the old tradition.

Strong opposition to Christmas trees by the Puritan settlers kept Christmas trees out of American territory until the nineteenth century, when German settlers popularized the tradition. Until recent years, the Christmas tree was hung upside-down, suspended from the ceiling.