Christmas Symbols
The Wreath
The Wreath which is traditionally displayed on the
front door of a home during the weeks of Advent
and the Christmas season once was a multiple role.
The wreath is intertwined with red ribbons which
is done to express the festive spirit, while its
evergreen leaves were symbolic of the everlasting life
promised to the faithful by the birth of Jesus Christ.
The circular shape was a reminder of the crown of
thorns placed on His head by the Roman soldiers
when they ridiculed Him as the ‘king of the Jews’.
Another reason for the wreath being used as part
of celebrations related to the god Bacchus, whose
worshippers were thought to have worn circular ivy
crowns.
Another practical purpose for the wreath was that
the evergreen boughs were believed to protect a
home from evil spirits, which were thought to be
plentiful during this dark time of the year. During
the Middle Ages the red berries of holly were
believed to keep witches out of the home; this is
why holly became the traditional and lucky evergreen
for the wreath-making.
Christmas Colors
There are many colors assocaited with Christmas
such as the red of holly berries, of Santa Claus or
Father Christmas outfit; the green of fir tre4es; the
gold of candles and stars; the whiteness of snowy
fields.
Red is the color that is considered the greatest
excitement, and is also the color of the month
December. As the religious symbol it stands for fire,
blood and charity.
Green is the symbol for nature, youth and the hope
of eternal life. It is for this reason that Christmas is
a feast of hope, with a newborn child as its central
symbol.
White is the religious symbol which stands for light,
purity, joy and glory. White is seen in the robes
of Christmas angels, in Santa’s beard and suit
trimmings, as well as in Christmas snow and snow
flakes.
In Northern Europe and in some of America, snow
covers the ground at Christmas. In southern
California roses are blooming. In the warmer climate
but the snow is artificial, so as to show the link with
the Northern Yuletide.
Gold stands for sunlight and radiance. It is the color
of the christmas stars, tinsel, candles, electric lights.
Christians who were once pagans saw the new god
as they had the sun, that is the radiant being who
lighted the world. Many artists show Christ in a pool
of light, or with a bright halo around his head.
Christmas Rose
The Christmas Rose was originally grown in England,
and is now native to the mountains of Central
Europe, it blooms in the winter.Legends link this
flower with the birth of the Christ Child. One legend
is that the three wise men along with shepherds
were travelling together when they came upon a
shepherdess named Madelon who was tending to
her sheep. When she saw the gifts for the Christ
child she began to weep as they all had gifts for the
Christ Child while she had nothing. An angel who
saw her crying, brushed the snow away, revealing
a lovely white flower tipped with pink — the
Chrtistmas Rose.
Rosemary
Rosemary was used during the Middle Ages by
housewives to spread on the floor at Christmas.
As people walked on it, a pleasant aroma arose.
Tradition has it that the shrub is fragrant because
Mary laid the garments of the Christ Child on its
branches. The night he was born, legend has it, the
trees suddenly bore fruit and flowers blossomed out
of season.
Bells
Bells being rung on Christmas morning has been
and is done to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A
legend that has been told is that the bells were rung
for an hour before midnight on the first Christmas
eve, this was said to have been done to warm the
forces of darkness of the imminent birth of the
Saviour. At the stroke of midnight, the peal of the
bells changed pitch into a joyous peal.
The bells sounding was also for another purpose as
well. Just as bells are tolled to announce the death
of someone they were also rung to tell the ‘death’ of
the Devil which was brought upon by the coming of
Jesus Christ. The church bell was also known as ‘the
Old Lad’s Passing bell’, ‘Old Lad’ which was said to
be a euphenism for Satan. The bells pealing has also
been assumed to chase away evil spirits, which are
said to be repelled by noise of any kind.
There are many types of Christmas bells for the
season. They can be heard on Christmas morning,
they are used as decoration on Christmas cards as
well as on the Christmas tree. Wassailers would
use them to announce their presence by ringing
them, so did Father Christmas, with jingling bells
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