As early as Thanksgiving, many people begin to decorate their homes. The custom of placing fresh greenery on the outside of homes at first had nothing to do with the Christmas season. Long before Christmas was ever heard of, primitive tribes in Europe hung evergreens above their doors in winter to provide shelter for woodland spirits wandering around in the cold. In return, the primitives hoped for good health and fortune throughout the coming year.
Some cultures began hanging greens during the winter solstice, bringing boughs into the house to ensure the return of foliage in spring. Romans decorated their homes with evergreens during the Saturnalia festival, and at the Kalends of January, their celebration of the New Year. Friends gave one another green branches for good luck. To the Druids, the “plants that do not die” were revered as sacred and a symbol of life. In the language of flowers, pine stands for endurance, and winter greens for harmony.
When the concept of Christmas came along, Christians continued to bring greenery into their homes as a sign of Christ’s victory over death and his promise of eternal life. Although Bishop Martin of Germany forbade the hanging of evergreens as a heathen custom, they reappeared several centuries later as a live advent wreath.
The red and green of winterHolly has been associated with celebrations almost as long as greenery. Druids believed that holly’s glossy leaves and red berries remained green so that the world would remain beautiful when the sacred oak had lost its leaves. Romans believed that holly had the power to give strength, to frighten away witches, to bring happy dreams, to heal quarrels and to cure coughs. For the early Christian church, the pointed leaves of the holly represented Christ’s crown of thorns; and the red berries, Christ’s blood. Holly was firmly established as part of holiday celebrations in 17th century England. In a European household that displayed prickly holly, it was thought that the husband would rule during the coming year. Smooth holly on display meant that the wife would rule.
Another green plant that is customarily found in homes at this time of year is ivy. Sacred to the Greeks and Romans, ivy is popular in England. In pagan religions, its green color suggests eternal life; its clinging, both fidelity and human weakness depending on Divine strength. Among Christians, it came to stand for the promise of eternal life. It is still a favorite in England and is often shaped into topiaries reminiscent of the holiday season – trees, wreaths, stars, etc. Ivy is also associated with friendship, which is why ivy topiary wreaths are a favorite for gift-giving among friends.
Rosemary is often used during the holidays to season foods, but was once used as a Christmas plant. During the Middle Ages, wives spread it on the floor to give off a pleasant aroma as guests walked on it. According to tradition, the shrub is fragrant because Mary laid the garments of the Christ Child on its branches. Shoppers will often find small topiaries of rosemary for sale at this time of year.
Laurel, though not often seen in the U.S., is used extensively in other countries. In ancient Rome, early Christians used laurel, bay and holly to decorate their homes at the Saturnalia. Rosemary and evergreens provide aroma therapy during winter.
Smells like ChristmasAnd what could be more symbolic of Christmas greenery than a Christmas tree? Although I’m in the minority 19 percent of people who still put up a cut tree, Christmas wouldn’t be the same at our house without it. Sticky and sappy, fresh and fragrant, there’s nothing that means more to us at Christmas than our tree.
If you garden, fresh greens are a reminder that spring will return. Not only do they bring fresh, green color and fragrance indoors, you might also find that you’re saying a whole lot more than you thought!
Gail Vanik can be reached at 970-565-8274 or by email at fourseasons@animas.net.