WORDS: CATRIONA GREW. PHOTOGRAPH: THE DAVID PEARSON COLLECTION/MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY
EVERGREEN TREES STOOD as symbols of hope and rejuvenation long before they became a staple of the festive season and depot for family Christmas presents. The Ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun god Ra, and believed winter descended when he grew sick in the latter part of the year. They decked their homes with green palms seasonally to assure themselves that he’d soon be well again. The Roman festival of Saturnalia marked a similar excitement around the return to power of Saturn (god of agriculture) ater the barren winter months. Romans laid out evergreen boughs in their temples to express gratitude at his return.
During the 16th century, Germany was the nation most active in bringing Christmas trees to the fore. Martin Luther supposedly set up the irst decorated tree indoors, ater walking through a forest on Christmas Eve. He was struck by the beauty of stars shining through the ir trees’ dark fronds and, to share the wonder with his family, he brought a tree inside and rigged its branches with candles. Whether or not the Protestant reformer can be credited with the spread of Christmas trees, they remained uncommon in Catholic parts of Europe until the 19th century. Since 1982 though, the pope has embraced the tradition (see right).