You probably didn’t realize that hanging mistletoe, using colored lights, and topping your tree with an angel all have peculiar origins. Before you start decking the halls this season, learn the strange stories behind these popular Christmas tree superstitions. You may find yourself looking at your decorations in a whole new light.
Pagan Beliefs Surrounding Evergreen Trees
The tradition of decorating evergreen trees during winter solstice dates back to pagan beliefs. Ancient pagans saw evergreen trees as a symbol of life during winter. They believed that spirits inhabited the trees, so people would decorate the trees to please the spirits during the solstice.
The Druids, priests of the ancient Celts, would decorate oak trees with fruit and candles during the winter solstice. They believed the sun god would return, and the days would start getting longer.
Germanic pagans saw evergreen trees as a symbol of life amid winter. They would decorate pine trees with food, candles, and ornaments during the solstice to honor the tree spirits.
Romans also had a similar tradition of decorating trees with trinkets and candles during Saturnalia, a winter solstice festival. They believed the sun god Saturn would return, and days would start getting longer.
Early Christians incorporated evergreen trees into Christmas celebrations, with the trees symbolizing everlasting light and life. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees as we know it today started in Germany in the 16th century and spread to England and the United States in the 19th century.
Bringing A Tree Indoors: Bad Luck And Evil Spirits
Bringing an evergreen tree indoors during winter has long been thought to invite bad luck or evil spirits into the home.
According to folklore, the tree may shelter woodland creatures that could cause mischief once inside. To prevent this, some would bang the trunk on the floor before bringing it in to shake loose any stowaways.
Others believed that evergreens were homes to spirits during winter. Cutting one down risked offending these supernatural beings or accidentally bringing them indoors. To appease the spirits, people would decorate the tree to make it a more pleasant abode or leave offerings of food under its boughs.
In Germany, it was thought that the tree could shelter an evil spirit named Knecht Ruprecht (although, in reality, he is just a companion of Saint Nicholas rather than an evil.) To prevent him from entering their homes, people would inspect the tree carefully before bringing it inside and say an incantation as they carried it through the doorway.
Decorating The Tree: Symbolism And Taboos
Decorating the Christmas tree is a time-honored tradition, but some old superstitions still survive regarding how it’s done. Here are a few peculiar taboos to keep in mind when trimming your tree.
Adding Decorations From Bottom To Top
It’s considered bad luck to decorate the Christmas tree from top to bottom. Always start at the bottom, adding garlands, ornaments, and tinsel as you work your way up. This ensures you’ll have good fortune in the coming year, as your life and status improve.
Avoid Leaving The Tree Unfinished Overnight
If you don’t complete decorating the tree in one session, make sure you at least add one ornament or decoration each time before leaving it for the night. An unfinished tree is said to bring misfortune. Even adding just one tiny item shows your good intentions to complete the task.
Use An Even Number of Ornaments
Decorating the tree with an even number of ornaments, especially red ones, symbolizes balance, harmony, and goodwill. An odd number of ornaments could upset the positive energy and vibrations of your home during the holidays. Of course, if you have an excess of one color or type of ornament, don’t let superstition stop you from creating a beautifully decorated tree in your own style!
No Ornaments On The Top
Avoid placing any ornaments or decorations at the very top, or ‘crown’, of the tree. This area should be left bare. Placing decorations at the pinnacle is said to offend the tree spirits that make the tree grow, and could bring illness or financial troubles in the coming year.
While these old superstitions add charm and whimsy to the Christmas season, in the end, decorating your tree in a way that makes you and your loved ones happy will ensure the most magical and meaningful of holidays.
Artificial Trees
The artificial Christmas tree has become a popular alternative to real trees in recent decades. While they have many practical benefits, like being reusable and not dropping needles, some people still feel superstitious about having artificial trees instead of real ones.
One common superstition about artificial Christmas trees is that they supposedly bring bad luck. While the origins of this belief are unclear, some people think artificial trees lack the “spirit” of a natural, living tree cut down specifically for the holidays. Others point to folktales of spirits and nature beings that supposedly inhabit natural evergreens.
Some people avoid artificial trees altogether for fear of cursing their homes with misfortune during the holiday season. However, most experts agree that artificial trees are not inherently unlucky. They simply represent a more practical option for those who want the look of a Christmas tree without the hassle of a real one.
Leaving Your Christmas Tree At Home For Too Long
Leaving your Christmas tree up for too long after the holidays can bring bad luck, according to an old superstition. Many people take down their Christmas decorations in early January, but some like to keep the festive spirit alive for a little while longer. However, there is a belief that leaving the Christmas tree standing too long after Christmas day can actually invite misfortune into your home.
The origins of this superstition can be traced back to old European folklore. Evergreens like pine, fir, and spruce were seen as symbols of life, renewal, and hope during the long winter months. People decorated their homes with boughs of evergreen at winter solstice celebrations. When Christmas day passed, it was believed that the magical, life-giving properties of the greenery began to fade. Leaving the tree up risked “overstaying its welcome” and could anger spirits or upset the natural cycle.
Superstitions? Take Them With A Pinch of Salt
While these superstitions may seem silly or far-fetched, for centuries, people truly believed that how they handled their tree could impact their fortune in the year to come. Though we now know better, these peculiar traditions remain an amusing glimpse into the folklore of Christmases past.
So this season, go ahead and decorate your tree however you like – just don’t come crying to us if your tinsel tangles or your lights go out. Only kidding, of course. However you celebrate, we hope you have a happy holiday surrounded by loved ones.
