Northern Hemisphere meets Southern

[Diane]

I wonder if the traditional Christmas tree with baubles hanging on it was originally meant to represent both northern and southern hemisphere Decembers - the pine tree for winter in the northern hemisphere and the baubles representing cherries which are in season in the southern hemisphere? Can't think what else the baubles/balls are meant to represent......

[Guest JD97]

Just thought about that... Good point

[Diane]

Unless of course the baubles are gold - in which case they might have once belonged to a brass monkey....

[Guest Wes Bloss]

The ancient pagans, Druids, Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews celebrated the Winter Solstice, (Dec. 21st), the day of the year that the Sun begins its ascent in the sky thereby ushering a fertile time of planting and bountiful harvests. Hence, the evergreen tree represented eternal life and the promise of replenishment during the cold winter solstice. Apples and other fruit were hung upon the tree to represent the plentiful food to come. Candles were lighted to symbolize the warmth and brightness of the sun. While the Christmas tree is generally associated with Christ, it predates this religious figure by many centuries.

Later on in history Germans hung wafers on the tree along with the apples to represent the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Later on in the Victorian era, the apples were replaced by red glass balls and candles and the representation signified both Adam and Eve along with the fire of life. Moreover, the Christmas tree was also used to scare away evil forces for the new year. (Christmas tree. (2009).

After the beginning of the New Year, January 1, the Pagans would take the chopped decorated Christmas tree down and burn the "Yule" log in remembrance of the past year