Why is a Christmas tree upside down?
Here's what to know. Displaying a Christmas tree upside-down may date back to the 7th century. Legend has it that Boniface, a Benedictine monk, used the triangular shape of a fir tree to explain the Holy Trinity to pagans in Germany. It was subsequently hung end-over-end in celebration of Christianity.
Why do they hang trees upside down in France?
Saint Boniface, the eighth-century English monk, brought Christianity to Germany and France. In the Middle Ages, Europeans would hang fir trees upside down to represent the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). The triangular shape was used to explain the Trinity to the Pagans.
What is the origin of the triangular shape of the Christmas tree?
According to the legend, Boniface saw a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree, and in response he cut down the tree and in its place grew a fir. Then, Boniface cut down the fir and turned it upside down, using its triangular shape as a way of explaining the Holy Trinity to the pagans. But it was southern Poland where the trend really thrived.
What's behind the trend of hanging spruce trees upside down?
But it was southern Poland where the trend really thrived. In a tradition called podłazniczek, Polish people used "fruit, nuts, sweets wrapped in shiny paper, straw, ribbons, gold-painted pine cones" to decorate a spruce hanging upside down from the ceiling in the center of the room, according to The Spruce.
Was the original Christmas tree upside down?
Displaying a Christmas tree upside-down may date back to the 7th century. Legend has it that Boniface, a Benedictine monk, used the triangular shape of a fir tree to explain the Holy Trinity to pagans in Germany. It was subsequently hung end-over-end in celebration of Christianity.
Who started hanging Christmas trees upside down?
But it was southern Poland where the trend really thrived. In a tradition called podłazniczek, Polish people used "fruit, nuts, sweets wrapped in shiny paper, straw, ribbons, gold-painted pine cones" to decorate a spruce hanging upside down from the ceiling in the center of the room, according to The Spruce.
Did Christmas trees used to hang from the ceiling?
It is believed that the early Christmas tree tradition started 1000 years ago in Northern Europe, where many early Christmas trees were hung upside down from the ceiling; looking like 'green chandeliers'.
What was originally hung on Christmas trees?
In 1419, a guild in Freiburg put up a tree decorated with apples, flour-paste wafers, tinsel and gingerbread. In “Paradise Plays” that were performed to celebrate the feast day of Adam and Eve, which fell on Christmas Eve, a tree of knowledge was represented by an evergreen fir with apples tied to its branches.
What's the purpose of an upside down Christmas tree?
Turning a Christmas tree upside down first became a tradition in the Middle Ages when Eastern European Christians would flip them to represent the Trinity and Christ being crucified, according to TheSpruce.com.
What does a black Christmas tree symbolize?
There's no special or dark meaning behind the black Christmas tree. But it is a growing trend since more people prefer to shake their holidays up by forgoing the green pine trees for a darker Christmas tree.
How did slaves celebrate Christmas?
Christmas on a plantation among the enslaved meant gorging yourself on food and drink you otherwise never might have tasted. Following the feast was a communal dance. Children took hog bladders they had blown up and held them near the fires with sticks until they burst from the heat.
What does Christmas tree mean in the Bible?
"That became a symbol of Christ — being triangular in shape it represents the trinity — and from there came the idea that the tree should be a symbol of Christ and new life," Dr Wilson said. "That's one of the main origins of the Christmas tree and bringing it into the house."
What is the real name of Christmas tree?
Araucaria columnaris - Christmas Tree. The Cook pine, called Christmas Tree in India, is a tree native to the Cook Island, north-east of Australia in the South Pacific.
What Christmas traditions are pagan?
Things like kissing under a mistletoe, carolling, wreaths, and even gift-giving were all aspects of pagan holidays that were adapted into Christmas celebrations in the early years.
What do Germans put on their Christmas trees?
At first the tree was decorated only with apples, nuts and sweets; wax candles were added later. Many German families still decorate their tree in the "altdeutsche Tradition," or the old German way, with real candles and wood and straw ornaments.
Should Christians have Christmas trees?
The Bible never tells Christians if they should have Christmas trees or not, but the Bible does tell Christians to reject any idols in their lives and worship Him alone. Christmas is about Jesus' birth and God's promise to save us, not about what we put on our Christmas trees.
What is the upside down tree?
African BaobabThe largest and most striking tree in the Flower Dome, the African Baobab (Adansonia digitata), also known as the Upside Down Tree, is one of nature's most useful trees. Its fruits and seeds are edible, while its trunk may hold as much as thousands of litres of water to act as a reservoir during the dry season.
What does the Christmas tree stand for?
birth and resurrection of Jesus ChristIn Christianity, Christmas tree is symbolic of birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The tree's branches and shrubs are viewed as an emblem of immortality and are said to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross.
Where did the Christmas tree originate?
GermanyGermany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.
How do you hang an upside down Christmas tree from the ceiling?
Wrap wire or string around the trunk to create a loop by which to hook the tree from your ceiling. If your tree has a little loop on the bottom, great. Hook the string through that. If not, take the lowest 'branches' and tie the string around there, so it's up by the branches and doesn't slip down.
When did the upside down Christmas tree start?
Inverted Christmas Tree Origins. The symbol of the upside down tree may have begun in 7th century . Folklore around the topic credits a Benedictine monk named Boniface. According to the legend, Boniface saw a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree, and in response he cut down the tree and in its place grew a fir.
Why do we no longer see hanging trees?
Brunner also theorizes that we can blame the advent of plastered ceilings for why we no longer see hanging trees. As Brunner explains, without rafters, "the most they could bear was perhaps an Advent wreath or a wooden frame with candles."
How long has trend been around?
The so-called trend has actually been around for centuries.
Do topsy turvy trees make a comeback?
In recent years, these topsy- turvy trees have made a comeback, particularly in department stores and malls. Besides just being a striking design choice, it's actually pretty beneficial. Since it's attached to the ceiling, this way of hanging clears up more floor space for merchandise. Also, more ornaments are displayed on eye-level.
Is Ariana Grande's upside down tree a Christmas tree?
Given how trendy the upside down tree is, you might think that it's a more recent way of fashioning a traditional Christmas tree. But inverted trees have actually been around for centuries.
Why are Christmas trees upside down?
In modern times, Christmas trees are shaped with the tip pointing to heaven, and some consider an upside-down Christmas tree to be disrespectful or sacrilegious. However, upside-down holiday trees have also been used increasingly by retailers for in-store displays so more ornaments can be visible at eye level to consumers. Plus, it frees up additional floor space to hold extra stock of decorations or an additional holiday display.
Why do people hang fir trees upside down?
Hanging fir trees upside-down in the home harkens back to the Middle Ages when Europeans employed the act in order to represent the Holy Trinity. The first to do this, according to many sources, was Saint Boniface, a Benedictine monk, who used the inverted trees as a theological teaching tool for pagan Germans. It continued throughout Europe into the 19th century, primarily adopted by working-class and lower-class households that hung trees from their rafters due to both religious significance and a lack of household space.
Why are the branches upside down?
Because the tree is upside-down, the inverted branches mean that ornaments are more visible (rather than tucked into the branches like with a traditional tree). Therefore, your ornaments will be getting more showtime, and they should be pretty enough to take center stage.
How to Hang and Decorate Upside-down Christmas Trees?
Christmas is coming in a few months, so start planning your tree decorations now. Some appear to be better suited for indoor use than others. So, before you start your project, decide on your design, and have a Merry Christmas!
Why do Catholics hang pine trees upside down?
According to some versions of the story, the tradition began in the 8th century, when Saint Boniface hung an upside-down pine tree to symbolize the Holy Trinity and to discourage pagans who were venerating an oak tree. Another story goes that the practice was originated in the Middle Ages by East European Polish Catholics in a tradition known as podazniczek.
What is the tree that hangs above the floor?
An evergreen leafy pine tree with the crown pointing more towards the ground, supported chiefly by a pedestal and the trunks sticking upwards, is often linked. In some cases, this evergreen is hung quite far above the room floor—almost it’s like a one-of-a-kind Christmas light fixture!
Is the upside down Christmas tree still popular?
Although this upside-down Christmas tree was famous only for a while in the past, it is now regaining popularity.
Why hang a Christmas tree upside down?
For people with pets and kids, hanging the tree off the ground can help keep the bulk of the Christmas tree decorations out of reach of destruction. If you're able to suspend the tree high enough, you can also save floor space in small homes and apartments.
When did the upside down Christmas tree start?
But what's the origin of upside-down Christmas trees? While these funky, inverted evergreens might seem like an avant-garde, modern trend, they actually trace back to the eighth century. While this type of Christmas tree fell out of popularity for many years (partially because some religious critics said that doing so is sacrilegious), they’ve recently become popular again, and many major department stores now sell stands designed for inverted trees. Learn more about the reason some people are flipping their holiday tree traditions upside down below. (Need a tree for the season? Check out these top artificial Christmas trees !)
What is An Upside Down Christmas Tree?
Nowadays, Christmas trees are generally shaped with their tip pointing towards heaven. So, what is an upside down Christmas tree?
Why do fir trees hang upside down?
In the Middle Ages, Europeans would hang fir trees upside down to represent the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). The triangular shape was used to explain the Trinity to the Pagans.
What are the decorations on Christmas trees?
Each year, Christmas decorations and trees are getting more extravagant. Beautiful baubles, ribbons, fairy lights, Christmas flowers covering each and every inch of the tree. Gone are the days of poorly working lights, tinsel and sparse baubles sprinkled on the tree half-heartedly.
Why do people hang Christmas trees from their rafters?
But, fast-forward to the 19th century and the tradition changed. People would hang their Christmas trees from their rafters due to a lack of space in their home. Sound like a familiar problem?
Why did Martin Luther light the first Christmas tree?
Moreover, it was not until the 16 th century that Martin Luther lit the first Christmas tree with candles to show his children how stars shined bright during the night.
When did the evergreen tree become a symbol of Christmas?
However, the prominence of using these evergreen trees as a symbol for Christmas did not come about until the 12 th century when Europeans, particularly poorer people in Germany, would hang Fir trees upside down to decorate their homes over the festive season.
Is Christmas without a Christmas tree?
It’s also a time when new traditions begin. Christmas would not be Christmas without a Christmas tree. But, an upside down Christmas tree? You may be wondering who started this bizarre trend. But, this is not actually a novelty and dates back centuries.
