- Nov 21, 2021
- 3 min read

Christmas wreath is another decoration that every house needs besides the Christmas tree

The tradition of hanging Christmas wreaths on the front door is literally fascinating! However, this tradition is not considered ours, before we knew it only from Hollywood movies. But how beautiful it is! Currently, it is also taking root in our society. A Christmas wreath above the threshold protects the house, attracting happiness, well-being and prosperity to it. And for guests it's a sign that they are welcome here. The wreath as a symbol of luck is hung not only from the outside, but also on the inside of the door, on the walls and windows. It can also be placed horizontally in the center of the festive table, on the fireplace shelf, chest of drawers, etc. The basis of any traditional Christmas wreath is shaggy spruce branches. Green means hope, triumph of life over death, and closed form means infinity of being. The wreath was braided with bright red ribbons. In Christianity, red is the affiliation of the kingdom and indicates the future resurrection of Christ. If the wreath lies on the plane, it is decorated with candles, the fire of which expels the cold and the forces of darkness and symbolizes the light that comes into the world with Christmas. Candles can be four (by the number of directions of the world) or one in the center. In many countries, bells are considered an important attribute of the wreath. Their joyful sound expels evil spirits and welcomes the birth of Christ. Cones, tangerines and apples, Christmas balls are also great decor elements corresponding to winter themes. By the way, the northern peoples do not argue with the harsh climate, but are inspired by the most interesting things that can be found in it: snowflakes, icicles, branches and bark of trees, knitted wool souvenirs help to create a festive atmosphere. If you delve into the history, which is rich in wreaths, it will become clear that their powerful power as ritual objects was known to many peoples, including the Slavs. No holiday or important event was complete without wreaths. It has long been believed that wreaths and similar products (rings, rolls, hoops) have special power, are charged with magical properties to scare away entities contrary to man and fight negative energy. This is due to the feminine principle, the female nature that gives rise to a new life. To attract happiness, well-being, abundance, wreaths decorated people and livestock, houses, yard buildings and wells. Often they were placed even on fruit trees in gardens and on the roofs of houses. Wreaths were not only hung at the entrance to turn away unclean power or resist the bad thoughts of evil people. To protect yourself from rodents, wreaths were put under the first sheave of the new harvest. The women in labor were put a wreath under the pillow - he protected them from the evil eye and helped in future childbirth. The patients were fumigated with a set on fire with a wreath woven from special herbs. In ancient Rome, a wreath of laurel leaves meant military glory, and myrtle wreaths were worn at feasts so as not to get drunk longer. And of course, the Christmas wreath has been and remains a bright symbol of love. In the United States, even now, a man has the right to kiss a girl if she stands under a hanging wreath. Interestingly, there are peculiarities of Christmas wreaths in different countries. The classic version is the most popular in Germany. In France, they like to decorate wreaths with compositions of dried flowers. The Scots use the famous plaid fabric instead of red ribbons. In Scandinavian countries, wreaths are decorated with cones, red braid and silver bells. Americans have wreaths of basic colors, red and green, decorated with bows and golden jewelry.