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发帖数: 38403 | 1 Pagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees
in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them. Modern-
day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time
of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the
year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23; most often, it is
DEC-21. As the solstice approached, they noticed that the days were
gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually
disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous
trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen
trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them
to withstand the rigors of winter.
Not having evergreen trees, the ancient Egyptians considered the palm tree
to symbolize resurrection. They decorated their homes with its branches
during the winter solstice.
"The first decorating of an evergreen tree began with the heathen Greeks and
their worship of their god Adonia, who allegedly was brought back to life
by the serpent Aessulapius after having been slain."
The ancient Pagan Romans decorated their "trees with bits of metal and
replicas of their god, Bacchus [a fertility god]. They also placed 12
candles on the tree in honor of their sun god" 2 Their mid-winter festival
of Saturnalia started on DEC-17 and often lasted until a few days after the
Solstice.
In Northern Europe, the ancient Germanic people tied fruit and attached
candles to evergreen tree branches, in honor of their god Woden. Trees were
viewed as symbolizing eternal life. This is the deity after which Wednesday
was named. The trees joined holly, mistletoe, the wassail bowl and the Yule
log as symbols of the season. All predated Christianity. 5 |
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