When the first settlers arrived in what would become the U.S., they brought Christmas garland with them. Around the holidays, families looking to make a little extra money would take the branches of firs, pines or spruces and twist them until they became flexible, shapeable decorations.
What does garland symbolize in Christmas?
As Christians began celebrating the birth of Christ, the pagan traditions of winter were carried over and somewhat modified and new meanings were created. The boughs and garlands served as a symbol to remind Christians of the salvation and redemption of Jesus.
What does garland symbolize?
Garlands have been used in many cultures across the world as symbols of purity, beauty, peace, love and passion. Flowers, leaves and foliage, delicately strung into garlands, wreaths (circular arrangement), chaplets (flaunted on the head), etc. have been worn as adornments or hung as decorations since time immemorial.
When was Christmas garland invented?
16th century
Kalends, the New Year festival celebrated by the Romans, included the exchange of wreaths, garlands and other small tokens. It is believed that Advent wreaths may have been first used by Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century.
What does the Christmas tree actually represent?
In 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.
What is the history of garland?
Garlands have been a part of religious ritual and tradition from ancient times: the Egyptians placed garlands of flowers on their mummies as a sign of celebration in entering the afterlife; the Greeks decorated their homes, civic buildings, and temples with garlands and placed them crosswise on banquet tables; in
Why do we hang a wreath on the door at Christmas?
Christmas wreaths have a spiritual meaning that represents an unending circle of life, with no beginning and no end. Its circular shape became a Christian symbol for Christ’s suffering and ultimate triumph over death and therefore represents eternity. The evergreen symbolizes growth and eternal life.
What is the difference between a wreath and a garland?
Garland – just like the wreath, the Christmas garland is made from woven branches of fir trees with added festive accents. The difference is that the garland is a long strip rather than a loop.
Why do we hang garland?
The first garlands were used to decorate Christmas trees and bring some festive cheer to the home. They were also full of Christmas (and Christian) symbolism. Since traditional garlands were circular in shape, they were “infinite,” like the love of Jesus.
What is the origin of Christmas decorations?
Christmas decorations are as old as Christmas itself. They are mentioned in ancient descriptions of the Roman feast Saturnalia, which was believed to have originated in the 5th century BC.
Are Christmas wreaths Pagan?
Yule Celebration
Although Christmas wreaths are the most popular, wreaths were also used in pagan celebrations. In ancient Germany and some Scandinavian countries, evergreen wreaths marked the winter solstice of Yule. Yule is a 12-day holiday when people celebrated the return of the sun and the cycle of the seasons.
What does Bible say about Christmas tree?
Deuteronomy 16:21 says:
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee. Although this verse doesn’t speak directly to christmas trees, it does make a point to mention trees near the altar of the lord.
Is a Christmas tree a religious symbol?
Even though Christmas trees once carried religious connotations, the Supreme Court found that a Christmas tree, by itself, is not a religious symbol. “[T]oday [Christmas trees] typify the secular celebration of Christmas,” the Supreme Court said.
What is the legend of the Christmas tree?
A story is told that, one night before Christmas, he was walking through the forest and looked up to see the stars shining through the tree branches. It was so beautiful, that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas.
Why is it called garland?
Etymology. From the French guirlande, itself from the Italian ghirlanda, a braid.
Where did the name garland originate from?
Garland as a boy’s name (also used as girl’s name Garland), is pronounced GAR-land. It is of Old English and Old French origin, and the meaning of Garland is “land of the spear; wreath; prize”.
How did garland get its name?
The move was completed in 1887. The new location was named Garland after U.S. Attorney General Augustus Hill Garland. Soon after, the towns of Embree and Duck Creek were combined, and the three areas combined to form the city of Garland, which was incorporated in 1891.
Are Christmas wreaths religious?
Together, the circular shape and the evergreen material make the wreath a representation of eternal life. It is also a representation of faith, as Christians in Europe often placed a candle on the wreath during Advent to symbolize the light that Jesus brought into the world.
What does a white wreath on a door mean?
White decorations, specifically, tend to represent purity, innocence, and youth. So white wreath meaning may vary, but a general one you can use is just a sense of newness. It represents things becoming new, and pure.
What date should Christmas decorations be put up?
According to electrical wholesaler ERF, most households will deck the halls on Sunday 28th November this year — exactly 27 days before Christmas day. It might seem early for some, but this fits in with traditions that decorations should be put up at the beginning of Advent (four weeks before Christmas).
What is the synonym of garland?
Synonyms & Near Synonyms for garland. drape, festoon, string.