When were Christmas trees first introduced?

For families in North America, Germany, and other parts of Europe, the Christmas tree is the symbol of the Christmas season. Other evergreens have been a part of mid-winter festivals long before Christ. They played a symbolic part because they stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare. They represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring. Primitive European tribes hung evergreens above their doors to offer the wandering winter spirits shelter within their homes, in the hope they would receive good fortune and health in return.

The use of evergreens and trees was and is most widespread in England and Germany. It can be traced back at least 500 years, when religious meaning began to be associated with these plants.

Fact File:

It has now become traditional to decorate our Christmas trees with lights and ornaments as part of our festivals. The use of evergreen trees is an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews. 

 

Picture Credit : Google