| The Christmas wreath is as popular today as it | | | | pagan traditions to a Christian tradition, typically |
| was when it was first introduced to the world. | | | | used by the Catholics. The wreath was hung up |
| People take great pains to make these beautiful | | | | during Advent and they usually had four candles in |
| Christmas decorations but most people have no | | | | the middle of the evergreen circle. The wreath |
| idea just how far back the tradition of the wreath | | | | today is a circle, signifying that it had no beginning |
| really goes. It goes back to Pagan times and the | | | | and no end and is considered in the Christian |
| ancient culture of the Persian Empire. The wreath | | | | religion a symbol of God and eternity. The candles |
| that was hung on the doors of the family homes | | | | in the wreath were traditionally white or three |
| during this time was actually a symbol of wealth | | | | violets and one rose. Each candle was lit everyday |
| and importance. Granted, the wreaths of the | | | | with the exception of the middle candle which |
| Persian Empire were smaller than the ones that | | | | was not lit until Christmas Eve. They were usually |
| hang on doors today. As a matter of fact, they | | | | lit right before dinner. |
| were worn on the head and were encrusted with | | | | The Christmas wreath is quite often made of |
| jewels. The Greeks made wreaths of laurel that | | | | evergreen boughs of holly and they can be real or |
| were placed on the heads of winning athletes | | | | artificial. While an artificial wreath will last |
| during the Olympic Games. | | | | considerably longer, they don’t have the |
| This tradition was continued by the Romans and | | | | same smell as a fresh wreath when made of real |
| they were worn on the heads of leaders, such as | | | | pine and other items. It can be decorated today |
| Julius Caesar. Eventually they moved from | | | | with traditional items, such as pine cones, fruits, |
| headgear to wall and door decorations, possibly as | | | | berries, lace and ribbon or it can be made with |
| a souvenir of the athlete’s victory. It is | | | | more modern materials for a different look. |
| believed that this is how the tradition of hanging | | | | Whether you hand make a Christmas wreath or |
| them on the wall was born. From here the | | | | buy one from the store it is important to |
| tradition of hanging a wreath made of evergreen | | | | remember how the wreath got its start and to |
| was started and it moved into Eastern Europe. | | | | reflect upon what it means to you and your |
| The wreath was decorated with candles and lit | | | | family. These holiday decorations are a joy to |
| during the cold winter evening in order to help | | | | behold on every door and make your home look |
| rush in spring and the good weather. | | | | warm and inviting no matter how you decorate it. |
| The Christmas wreath tradition moved from | | | | |
