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The Solstice Evergreen: History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree
Why do over 40 million Americans decorate Christmas Trees? Few of us know the origins and spiritual significance of the annual ritual they perform. With depth and detail this revised and expanded second edition of reveals even more hidden meanings of evergreen trees throughout human history - for over 5000 years! Throughout the centuries the evergreen has been a potent cultural symbol of rebirth. Contemporary Christmas Trees are a vestige of the pagan practice during the winter solstice of bringing greenery into the home to symbolize life in the dead of winter. Living trees have special significance to nearly every culture from Siberia to Palestine to Greece to Medieval Germany to Aztec (Mexico) to Native American (USA) to pre-historic Japan and many more. Illustrated with dozens of period line drawings educates entertains and enlightens the understanding of the Christmas Tree - for both adults and children. Karas has ga thered nearly 40 myths legends and folktales from diverse cultures around the globe. Evergreen the tree represents the ideals that connect all human beings making it a true symbol of peace on earth regardless of nationality or religion.
169 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 7, 2019
It wasn't as in-depth as I expected, but it was a pleasant collection of folk tales, and illustrations. I would have liked to see some citations as to where she gleaned her material.
One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.
3 Stars = It was 'okay'.
One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.
3 Stars = It was 'okay'.
January 2, 2011
An easily-readable book on why so many cultures, worldwide, revere the evergreen. It is punctuated with interesting mythological tales from all around the world, some of which I read at our Solstice Ritual. This is not an in-depth book because the "reasons why" behind this particular form of tree reverence was pretty much wiped out by or sanitized by Christianity. It wasn't until the Victorians in England revived the Christmas Tree ritual in the late 1800's that people began to explore the what and why. Much is conjecture based on the mythological tales, but it is still a good book to use to make Solstice more interesting for young and old.
December 6, 2018
I felt like the author didn't quite know what she was doing with the book. It has some interesting information and it has some collections of short stories, but it's "neither fish nor fowl." I found out a few interesting tidbits, but I had been hoping it was slightly more coherent to be able to show Christian friends a slightly broader understanding of the origins of the Christmas tree. However, I think it just meanders too much between tales and explaination.
October 15, 2022
What is the source idea of the Christmas tree? There's a book for that. I read from chapter and verse every year to celebrate the Solstice.
August 8, 2024
A HISTORY TOLD LARGELY THROUGH FOLKLORE AND STORIES
Author Sheryl Ann Karas wrote in the Preface to this 1991 book, “Throughout this presentation of the origins and development of the Christmas Tree, I focus on the folklore which illustrates the sacred significance of the tree. Although folklore is often neglected in historical studies of cultural phenomena, no other medium can so colorfully and accurately portray the daily life, beliefs, and attitudes of a particular society… No serious attempt to find ‘the most authentic version’ of the tales included has been made here. I have taken the liberty of presenting the stories as if I were the storyteller, trying to keep the basics as close to whatever versions I found as possible. If I found more than one version of a story I chose the one I liked the best or wrote a composite of all of them.” (Pg. 1)
She explains, “Because prehistoric people depended on the forests for food and shelter, for fire, canoes, tools and household implements, trees were an important feature of their environment. Furthermore, they seemed to embody the cycle of Nature itself. They grew and made sounds, gave birth to flowers and fruit, ‘bled’ when cut, became old and died. It is not wonder that the trees became special in the religious life of various societies both as representations of deities themselves, and as the sacred home of or place of communion with other spirits.” (Pg. 19)
She observes, "As time goes on, usage makes the symbolism of an object almost inseparable from the object itself. This must be taken into account in any study of early religion. To say that primitives worshipped the trees, as many anthropologists assert, is to take the evidence too literally. To some extent it is true, yet rituals of the tree pay homage to more than the physical form or the spirit within it. As an embodiment of nature the tree represented much of what gave meaning to everyday existence. Among other things it symbolized fertility and life, strength, and steadfastness of spirit. Where evergreens were abundant, they became the trees most highly revered, because while other trees lost their leaves and seemed to die … during the winter, the evergreens stayed fresh and green through the most severe weather.” (Pg. 37)
She reports, “During its first 300 years, the Church in Rome maintained a staunch position against all pagan beliefs and practices; however, many new and potential converts were reluctant to give up their familiar celebrations… In 375 A.D. the Church announced that the birth date of Christ had been discovered to be December 25, and allowed some of the lighthearted customs of the older celebration, such as feasting, dancing and the exchange of gifts, to be incorporated into the reverent observance of Christmas. The use of greenery, however, popularly used to decorate homes and holy places during the Saturnalia, was still prohibited as pagan idolatry.” (Pg. 88)
She notes, “The most well-known story about lights on the tree attributes their introduction to Martin Luther, leader of the Reformation movement in the sixteenth century… This is significant because it shows that the Protestant reformers needed a way to justify the continued use of the tree even while they were rejecting other aspects of basic Catholic theology. So developed the Christmas Tree, with the ornaments, colored lights, and pastries that we know today.” (Pg. 106)
She concludes, “Since the tree is a product of nature, dressed in its solstice finery it still glorifies and reaffirms our connection to the earth. As such it seems fitting that many people have begun to revive the custom of using a live evergreen for their celebration. The tree can be planted in the forest or in yards with the return of spring. We need to remember our symbiotic relationship with nature so we can preserve and enjoy the earth for many Christmases to come.” (Pg. 107)
This book will interest those looking for a non-technical summary of the history of the tree in both Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations.
Author Sheryl Ann Karas wrote in the Preface to this 1991 book, “Throughout this presentation of the origins and development of the Christmas Tree, I focus on the folklore which illustrates the sacred significance of the tree. Although folklore is often neglected in historical studies of cultural phenomena, no other medium can so colorfully and accurately portray the daily life, beliefs, and attitudes of a particular society… No serious attempt to find ‘the most authentic version’ of the tales included has been made here. I have taken the liberty of presenting the stories as if I were the storyteller, trying to keep the basics as close to whatever versions I found as possible. If I found more than one version of a story I chose the one I liked the best or wrote a composite of all of them.” (Pg. 1)
She explains, “Because prehistoric people depended on the forests for food and shelter, for fire, canoes, tools and household implements, trees were an important feature of their environment. Furthermore, they seemed to embody the cycle of Nature itself. They grew and made sounds, gave birth to flowers and fruit, ‘bled’ when cut, became old and died. It is not wonder that the trees became special in the religious life of various societies both as representations of deities themselves, and as the sacred home of or place of communion with other spirits.” (Pg. 19)
She observes, "As time goes on, usage makes the symbolism of an object almost inseparable from the object itself. This must be taken into account in any study of early religion. To say that primitives worshipped the trees, as many anthropologists assert, is to take the evidence too literally. To some extent it is true, yet rituals of the tree pay homage to more than the physical form or the spirit within it. As an embodiment of nature the tree represented much of what gave meaning to everyday existence. Among other things it symbolized fertility and life, strength, and steadfastness of spirit. Where evergreens were abundant, they became the trees most highly revered, because while other trees lost their leaves and seemed to die … during the winter, the evergreens stayed fresh and green through the most severe weather.” (Pg. 37)
She reports, “During its first 300 years, the Church in Rome maintained a staunch position against all pagan beliefs and practices; however, many new and potential converts were reluctant to give up their familiar celebrations… In 375 A.D. the Church announced that the birth date of Christ had been discovered to be December 25, and allowed some of the lighthearted customs of the older celebration, such as feasting, dancing and the exchange of gifts, to be incorporated into the reverent observance of Christmas. The use of greenery, however, popularly used to decorate homes and holy places during the Saturnalia, was still prohibited as pagan idolatry.” (Pg. 88)
She notes, “The most well-known story about lights on the tree attributes their introduction to Martin Luther, leader of the Reformation movement in the sixteenth century… This is significant because it shows that the Protestant reformers needed a way to justify the continued use of the tree even while they were rejecting other aspects of basic Catholic theology. So developed the Christmas Tree, with the ornaments, colored lights, and pastries that we know today.” (Pg. 106)
She concludes, “Since the tree is a product of nature, dressed in its solstice finery it still glorifies and reaffirms our connection to the earth. As such it seems fitting that many people have begun to revive the custom of using a live evergreen for their celebration. The tree can be planted in the forest or in yards with the return of spring. We need to remember our symbiotic relationship with nature so we can preserve and enjoy the earth for many Christmases to come.” (Pg. 107)
This book will interest those looking for a non-technical summary of the history of the tree in both Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations.
January 7, 2011
The folk tales were definitely my favorite part. It was an interesting read, but I kept questioning how well-researched it was...I think I would have enjoyed more internal citations.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews