History of Christmas Tree: From Ancient Roots to Modern Symbol

What does the Christmas tree symbolize in ancient times?

Every holiday has its unique symbols. Weddings are associated with white, birthdays with cake and candles, Easter with eggs, and Christmas with family, gifts, and the tree. It is no secret that the evergreen is one of the most important attributes of the holiday season. However, this was not always the case. Our ancestors placed great importance on plants and trees, believing in their power and trusting them for protection. This is how the history of Christmas tree traditions truly began.

It is now known that ancient Egyptians had a custom of decorating their homes with green palm branches or wreaths on the shortest day of the year. Because the winter solstice occurs around Christmas, the connections are clear. Ancient Egyptians firmly believed that palm leaves represented life and immortality. At the time, they thought the days grew shorter because their sun god, Ra, had fallen ill. To give him strength and vitality, homes were adorned with various green plants. While these Egyptian customs are well-documented, archaeologists were particularly surprised to find a fresco resembling a modern evergreen in one of the ancient tombs.

Although the Egyptian traditions of decorating with greenery are likely among the oldest, they were by no means the only ones. Celtic priests also celebrated the solstice by decorating their temples with evergreen branches and leaves to represent vitality. Even the Vikings observed similar customs. In their culture, it became common to kiss under the mistletoe, a practice that eventually became a staple holiday tradition, evolving alongside the history of Christmas tree in America and across other Western regions.

The more modern version of the evergreen we see today is associated with Renaissance Germany. So, who started the Christmas tree tradition as we know it? Legend has it that the Protestant reformer Martin Luther was the first to place lighted candles on a green fir tree, giving birth to the custom of illuminating the branches. The practice of using electric lights spread centuries later, around 1882, when Edward Johnson, an assistant to Thomas Edison, created the first string of electric lights. Eventually, mass production began, and people worldwide adopted them for holiday decorating [2].

Returning to the Middle Ages, the tradition of decorating homes and temples with trees and plants took on a deeply religious tone. During this era, churches hosted mystery plays—theatrical performances depicting events from the Bible, such as the temptation of Adam and Eve near the Tree of Paradise. In Central European churches, this tree was often made from fir branches, adding to the Christmas tree spiritual meaning for early believers. Later, the English adopted the fir tree tradition when Prince Albert, who was born in Germany, surprised his wife, Queen Victoria, with a decorated evergreen at the palace in 1840. Knowing the customs of his homeland, he helped popularize the practice throughout Europe and beyond [3].

The history of Christmas tree traditions spreading globally

In many rural parts of Eastern Europe and other regions, the modern evergreen was largely unknown in the early 20th century. Instead, older customs prevailed, such as hanging sheaves of rye or attaching simple fir branches to doors for the holidays [4]. The custom of decorating a full indoor tree first spread through wealthy estates, schools, and churches before reaching the wider public.

The tradition was often introduced to new regions by German immigrants and soldiers during times of conflict, such as World War I. While rural populations observed these cultural shifts firsthand, local leaders and community figures were often invited to celebrations hosted by stationed soldiers. These leaders would then share the German customs with their communities, allowing the tradition to gradually take root among the local populations [5].

Early decorations were far from luxurious. Branches were adorned with simple, homemade items like cookies, apples, and paper cutouts. It was modest but cozy, providing much-needed comfort to populations exhausted by war and unrest. In some regions that later fell under strict political regimes, authorities attempted to eradicate these religious traditions, though people had already grown to love the joy of decorating and adapted the custom to survive [6].

During the Soviet era in Eastern Europe, celebrating Christmas Eve was strongly discouraged, and the traditional evergreen temporarily lost its religious value. Secular customs dictated that a New Year's tree be decorated instead. This was an entirely different tradition with altered decorations, such as the popular red five-pointed star placed at the top. As states modernized later on, the tree regained its traditional appearance, but the custom soon faced a new challenge: widespread commercialism.

Commercialism and the modern holiday craze

It is hard to argue against the fact that Christmas has become a highly commercialized holiday, often focused on showing off expensive gifts, lavish decorations, and new clothes. While our ancestors decorated their branches with homemade baked goods, candies, fruits, or handmade paper crafts, today we rarely have to make that effort. Stores are filled with a vast array of ornaments, ranging from cheap, mass-produced items to rare, luxurious decorations.

The very perception of the holidays has also shifted. While it used to be the most important celebration for believers and families, today many spend the holidays alone. Interpersonal connections are sometimes less close, and religious ties have frayed for many, making the season feel like just another day. To chase away the gloom, some people decorate their homes as early as the beginning of December, even though older traditions dictated that the tree should only be trimmed on Christmas Eve. Because we live with these decorations for an entire month, the centerpiece of our home often fails to evoke the same strong emotions by Christmas morning.

The way cities and towns decorate can also be seen as a devaluation of the original tradition. While it is interesting to see how different global capitals and coastal towns dress up for the season, the fierce competition over which city has the most beautiful display often divides rather than unites the public, highlighting sheer commercialism. It is completely understandable that a major capital city's display will look vastly different from a small town's. Major cities aim to catch the eyes of international tourists with massive budgets, while smaller municipalities rely on local community efforts and a fraction of the cost. Because of this, the modern "Christmas tree wars" between cities ultimately feel pointless.