What are Christmas tree superstitions? [Ursprung & Bedeutung]

Superstitions and myths have been associated with Christmas since ancient times and are still persecuted in many parts of the world.

The night of December 24th begins the longest party of the year; This night is followed by another 12 magical nights and 13 days of festivities that evoke ancient flavors and magical atmospheres.

And while some go to church to celebrate the birth of the Lord, many others eat and exchange gifts while the children await the arrival of Santa Claus; According to some popular traditions, anything becomes possible on this magical Christmas night.

I love Christmas and wanted to write an article to talk a bit about Christmas tree superstitions and some other beliefs of this amazing festival.

The origins of the Christmas tree

Since ancient times, the tree has been the absolute symbol of life, and this belief was widespread in all countries and in all ages, even long before the birth of Christianity. In Christian culture, the tree is present from the beginning and often mixes with the candlestick as both carry the lights that flicker on and off. The ancient theme of the tree of life also merges with the cross of Jesus Christ: the wood blossoms and bears fruit, as we see in many early Christian catacombs and baptisteries.

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According to tradition, the Christmas tree as it is used today was born in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1441, when a large fir tree was erected in the Town Hall Square, around which young bachelors, men and women in search of a soul mate danced together. This custom was later revived in Germany: the Bremen Chronicles of 1570 states a The tree was decorated with apples, walnuts, dates and paper flowers.

A chronicle of Strasbourg, however, reports in 1605 that the citizens brought fir trees to their homes at Christmas, put them inside and decorated them with paper roses of different colors, apples, sugar and similar objects. Even the city of Riga in Lat via defends its tradition that the first Christmas tree stood here; In fact, in Riga there is a memorial plaque written in eight languages, according to which the “first New Year tree” was decorated there in 1510.

As far back as ancient times, a pagan rite involved bringing home an auspicious branch before the new year. In the Middle Ages, the tradition of “Adam and Eve Games” spread, the games of Adam and Eve, which on December 24th, Christmas Eve, allowed the reconstruction of the paradise scenario on earth with fruit trees and symbols of abundance and the mystery of life.

As a result, fir trees, which have the magical property of always being green, were increasingly preferred to these fruit trees. The fir tree, with its triangular shape, also reflected the pyramidal and hierarchical structure of medieval society, and in German folklore it also became the stork tree from which the midwife shook babies.

The tradition of The Christmas Tree remained standard for the regions north of the Alps for a long time. Initially, it was considered a Protestant tradition, and it wasn’t until the 1900s that this tradition spread to the Catholic world as well.

In our century, this custom has become very widespread and now it seems that this fir tree, decorated with balls, bows, garlands, sweets and colors, is the true symbol of Christmas, even if over time the fir tree has been replaced by an artificial tree and instead the wax candles were replaced. by intermittent electric light.

At home or outdoors, it is traditionally prepared a few days or a few weeks before and at his feet if inside houses, well-wrapped gifts may only be opened on Christmas Day (but how many really resist)?

Also read:
How to remove Bad Omen from home?
What are Friday the 13th superstitions?

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Superstitions and traditions of the Christmas tree

Long ago among initiates, the tree represents a person’s experiences throughout their lifetime. The Christmas tree represents this tree of life. The choice falls on the fir because it is one of the trees that keeps its green branches all year round and also because the schools of ancient wisdom, its symmetrical shape and evergreen branches symbolized a life that lasts forever.

Once, instead of electric light, candles were attached to the tree, the beads symbolizing wisdom. The Pearls of Wisdom is the wisdom gained and understood for every experience. They are like doors to future enlightenment.

The lights of the candles that illuminate the tree represented the sacred flame that is within every human being and the potentials and possibilities that can arise from the choices or choices made during a lifetime. If you don’t turn on the lights, you’ll be stuck in the rut for a long time without living your best life.

The colored orbs also had a profound meaning. In fact, they not only beautified the tree, but also represented the experiences that people had or wanted to have. So you should place them to attract even more things into your life and achieve your goals.

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Everything on the tree was a celebration. For example, the garlands symbolized the feast of life If you skip them, you will attract death.

The star placed on the tree represents the Great Work. Simply put, the Great Work is the journey back to God. The journey is about gathering all the pearls of wisdom available through experience and remembering who we are.

The star at the top of the tree is therefore the arrival point where every human should eventually arrive. It was placed on top to remind you of the return journey to be completed, and superstition has it that if you don’t place it on top you will not live a long, happy life.

The gifts under the tree represented the great virtue of giving.

What not to do on Christmas Eve?

Now let’s look at Christmas Eve and share some of the beliefs that are still being put into practice both in Italy and abroad. This specifically concerns the seven things not to do on Christmas Eve – let’s see together what they are.

• The lights on the tree and those used for decoration must not be turned off from the evening of the 24th until the early hours of Christmas morning. This is to light up the silent night like the comet that guided the wise men.
• In houses where there is a fireplace, the “log” must burn all night without ever going out: the myth says that in this way the following year will be without bad luck.
• At the end of dinner, don’t throw away all the fishbones: keep at least one if you don’t want to run out of money in the coming year.
• Don’t give jewelry in the shape of a cross because the birth of Jesus is not the death being celebrated; Giving them is therefore a sign of suffering for the coming year.
• Avoid arguments; it would be a bad omen.
• Don’t sweep the house and if you really have to, collect the garbage in the middle of the room.
• Nobody should sit with their backs to the wall during dinner; This Czechoslovak superstition seems to be very popular.