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New Year's Christmas wreath: the symbol of Christmas and its origin. What are Christmas wreaths made in Europe What are Christmas wreaths made in Europe

Oncology

What are Christmas wreaths made of in Europe?

Alternative descriptions

A tree whose cones infusion is healing

deciduous tree or shrub of the birch family

Deciduous tree whose fruits are cones

tree with earrings

Which tree do beavers hate?

Levada tree

birch family tree

Under it dozed off "esaul at rest"

This tree got its name from the same word as "tin", i.e. named for its whitish color

medicinal plant

birch relatives

tree with earrings

Berezina "sister"

tree with brunches

birch tree

Tree blooming in early spring

Tree, related to birch

Tree growing along rivers

Eloha, Elshina. What tree?

birch relative

deciduous tree

Wood for packaging and plywood

birch sister

It stands above the cherry (song.)

Black ... - the Celts have a miracle tree, symbolizing the resurrection and deification

What was the ark made of, on which Rhea Sylvia sent the twins Romulus and Remus down the river?

Its shavings are suitable for smoking

Deciduous tree or shrub of the birch family

tree of the birch family

Berezina "sister"

Eloha, Elshina. What kind of tree

J. Elha Vlad. vyat. tree lower olshina, elshina, olshina novg. psk. wolf thief. chickens. tree Alnus glutinosa, black alder, small species. incana, stone alder, alder dwarf birch, podolshan. You can bend an alder, and you can bend an elm with a twist. If the birch leaves before the alder, then the summer will be dry, and if the alder is ahead, then it will be wet. There are a lot of earrings on the alder, for the harvest of oats, and a lot of cones, for the harvest of barley. Olkhovnik, olshnyak, oleshnik, alder, elshnik m. elshanik, elshinnik, alder, olekh ryaz. forest, grove; alder logs, firewood. On the alder forest, buds (buds) are a crop for oats. Alder, alder, novg. podoleshnik, mushroom. Oleshye cf. collected novg. psk. alder forest or firewood. Olkhovian, olshanina, oleshin, elshina. one alder tree. Alder forest. Elkhovy, spruce leaf. Alder table. Talk about alder, and oak is stronger! Alder thickets. Alder, alder-colored, yellow-brown, esp. about birds; alder, bird Accentor modularis southern. different small fish, more oatmeal. Olkhovka st. native bad partridge, Lagopus alpinus. An alder hawk, all brown, without whiteness and without small ripples: when washing a hawk, they change their feathers according to age; young ones are alder, gradually taking on more ripples and blueness; old clean-skinned

From what was built the ark on which Rhea Sylvia sent the twins Romulus and Remus down the river

This tree got its name from the same word as "tin", i.e. named for its whitish color

Under it dozed off "esaul at rest"

A tree from the birch family

Deciduous shrub with fruit-cones

Listven. tree with fruits

Listven. tree with fruits

Surely Russian people have ever thought about why Catholics decorate their home with a rather unusual item on Christmas holidays - a wreath? And it becomes curious just this decoration or attribute of Christmas, which carries a special meaning? Let's find out!

A traditional Christmas wreath with four candles symbolizing the light that will illuminate the world with the birth of Christ.


The traditional Christmas wreath with four candles, symbolizing the light that will illuminate the world with the birth of Christ, is an attribute of Lutheranism that came from Germany.
Previously, it was created with their own hands from spruce or fir branches, decorated with apples, sweets and red ribbons.

The wreath was made from spruce branches, decorated with apples, sweets and red ribbons.

A Christmas wreath is decorated not only with candles, but also with bells. For example, in Scandinavia, their melodic ringing symbolizes the completion of all work and invites to have fun and celebrate. England has its own belief that the ringing of bells disperses evil spirits and welcomes Christ.

The ringing of bells disperses evil spirits and greets Christ.


Especially it is necessary to say about the red ribbons, which are so rich in the classic Christmas wreath. In Christianity, red is a royal color and denotes the future resurrection of Christ.

Later, such a wreath became quite easy to buy in a store, and its decorations have changed - now a variety of wreaths are sold: woven from twigs, completely created from apples, cones or Christmas balls etc.

Now for sale a variety of wreaths

The imagination of designers is inexhaustible! In Europe, the Christmas wreath can be seen both in the altar of the church and on the dining table. On the streets, wreaths with luminous lights decorate shops and salons, offices of firms. Now it is quite a fashionable Christmas attribute that can be found even in Russian homes!

On the streets, wreaths with luminous lights decorate shops

Candles that are lit on a wreath in the pre-holiday season have a special meaning. The candles on the wreath are lit four weeks before Christmas. One - every Sunday, as we approach the holiday. On the last Sunday, all four candles fill the house with warmth and light. These 4 Sundays are called the days of Advent (adventus, from Latin - arrival, attack). Every family knows that the days before Christmas bring with them the joy of preparing for the feast of the birth of the Infant Jesus.

The candles on the wreath are lit four weeks before Christmas.

Each Sunday of Advent is dedicated to a certain "remembrance", which corresponds to the gospel readings during the service.

First Sunday of Advent. On this day, the first candle in the Advent wreath, the Candle of Prophecy, is lit. It symbolizes the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of Christ. The French celebrate the fulfillment of these prophecies - the coming of the Savior to earth as a baby, His coming into the hearts of people through faith in the Word of God, and His final coming in glory to judge all mortals.

Second Sunday of Advent. On this day, the Candle of Prophecy and the second candle in the Advent wreath, the Bethlehem Candle, are lit. It represents the coming to earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. This is a symbol of preparation for the meeting of the Christ Child.

Third Sunday of Advent. On this day, the first two candles are lit and the third is attached - the Candle of the Shepherds. The Candle of the Shepherds means the coming of the Savior into the hearts of ordinary people through faith in Him Holy Word. She seems to be talking about how the shepherds saw the Savior with their own eyes and believed. So all believers must see Him with the eyes of faith. For the French, this candle also symbolizes how ordinary people share their faith in Christ, like shepherds who told everyone they met about Him.

Fourth Sunday of Advent. On this day, the first three candles are lit and the last one is attached - the Angelic Candle. It means the last coming of the Savior with all the Angels to take all true believers with him to heaven.

However, in many countries, for example in America, they did not know about candles - there a spruce wreath is simply hung on the door of the house as a decoration.

In America, a spruce wreath is hung on the door of the house as a decoration.

In Europe, the wreath carries a special meaning and significance. This is a symbol of faith and joy about the birth of the Savior and his coming into the world. A traditional Christmas wreath with candles is placed horizontally - for example, placed on a table. However, a wreath without candles can be hung on a wall or on a door. On the wall, he decorates the house and reminds the whole family of upcoming joyful events, and on the door, he tells those who come about the cordiality and hospitality of the owners and their readiness to undress the holiday with the guest.

A traditional Christmas wreath with candles is placed on the table.

But, speaking objectively, I cannot but touch upon another version, another view of the symbolic form of the Christmas wreath. It is round, and since ancient times this shape has been associated with the shape of a wheel, and many millennia ago, long before the advent of Christianity, it symbolized the Sun. Another 2000 BC in various unrelated peoples there was a holiday of the rebirth of the Sun, the victory of good over evil. This event took place on the days of the winter solstice (end of December), when the day began to grow and light triumphed over darkness. Therefore, it cannot be absolutely certain that the Christmas wreath is only a Christian tradition. All earthly cultures are inextricably linked, and modern customs have the deepest roots that permeate history many millennia ago ...

The shape of the wreath symbolized the Sun.

And what is your opinion on this matter? Are there really pagan roots in Christian traditions or not? And is it worth it for a Russian person to bring into his house a Catholic Christmas attribute - a wreath?

Christmas is just around the corner, so it's time to start thinking about decor. Of course, the most important attribute of the winter holidays is a lush evergreen tree, but do not forget about other, no less beautiful, options for Christmas (and New Year's) decor.

Among all other decorations, it is worth highlighting the Christmas wreath or Advent wreath - a very beautiful attribute of winter decor that came to us from the Catholic world. Now many will say that this decoration has nothing to do with Orthodoxy and Orthodox Christmas However, don't jump to conclusions.

As strange as it may sound, church holidays absolutely all areas of Christianity (including Orthodoxy) have pagan roots and therefore they are all closely intertwined. So why not decorate your home with something as gorgeous as a Christmas wreath and make it an annual event? family tradition? But first, let's find out where this decoration came from and what meaning it carries.

History of occurrence

There are several versions of the origin of the Christmas wreath. It is known that even pagans made winter wreaths using branches of evergreen coniferous trees, as well as nuts, cones, and various berries. In addition, mention should be made of the holly wreath that was placed on the head of Jesus Christ before the crucifixion.

However, the most popular version says that as a tradition, the Christmas wreath was introduced by a German theologian Johann Wiehern. In his house lived little pupils, whom he took from poor families. The guys constantly asked Johann when Christmas would come. And so that the children would not constantly torment him with this question, the teacher took a wheel made of wood, decorated it with nineteen small red candles and four white ones. Every day the guys lit one red candle, and when Sunday came, they all lit a white one together. And when there was one big candle left, the children learned that tomorrow was Christmas. So Johann was able to brighten up the period of waiting for the brightest holiday for the children.

The inhabitants of Germany liked this idea so much that soon a Christmas wreath began to show off in every house. Gradually, the tradition spread throughout Europe, and then to the United States.

Symbolism

The Christmas wreath has several meanings. So, on the one hand, the flame symbolizes the growing sense of joy of the coming Christmas, the circle - the infinity of being, green color needles - life, and the red color of candles and ribbons - the blood of Christ, bells, which are also sometimes decorated with a wreath, means the death of evil spirits and the birth of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, a wreath with four candles can be interpreted as the four sides of the Earth, and round form symbolizes eternal life.

The materials from which the wreath is made also have an interesting symbolism:

  • mistletoe protects the house from evil spirits and brings happiness to all its inhabitants.
  • Holly It is considered a symbol of life, because the head of the Savior before the crucifixion was decorated with a crown of this plant.
  • poinsettia considered a symbol star of bethlehem that led the Magi to little Jesus.
  • In the tradition of the Celts spruce- a tree symbolizing eternal life. Interestingly, among the Slavs, spruce was considered a symbol of death, they even decorated the graves of the dead with spruce branches. You can read more about this tree in our article Why a Christmas Tree is a Christmas and New Year's Tree.

Materials for manufacturing

The classic Christmas wreath is made from spruce branches, decorated with four large candles and red ribbons. Catholics often put three purple and one pink candles in their wreaths, as these are the colors that are symbols of worship during the Advent period. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday, which is called Gaudete, which translates from Latin as "Rejoice!".

However, many florist companies and craftsmen make Advent wreaths from the most different materials. So, popular decorations are cones, nuts, artificial and real berries, cinnamon sticks, dried citrus fruits, red glass balls. Some use modern materials such as paper cutting, rain, beads different sizes and flowers, plaster figurines, fabric, beads, etc.

See below photos of interesting Christmas wreaths that you can order from the masters or make yourself:

Christmas wreath with four candles

Christmas wreath with one candle

Christmas wreath with unusual and decorated candles

Classic version of the Catholic Christmas wreath

Christmas wreath made from natural materials

Christmas paper wreath

Textile Christmas wreath

Christmas beaded wreath

Unusual Christmas Wreaths

A classic Advent wreath with candles is placed on the table. But wreaths without candles are also made, which can be used to decorate a fireplace or front door. A wreath at the entrance means that you are ready to celebrate Christmas and invite everyone to share this holiday with you.

Features in different countries

Interestingly, in different countries have their own characteristics of Christmas wreaths:

  • In Germany, the most popular is the classic version of the Christmas wreath.
  • In France, it is customary to decorate Christmas wreaths with dried flower arrangements.
  • The Scots sometimes use the famous checkered fabric instead of classic red ribbons.
  • In the Scandinavian countries, cones, red braid and golden bells are especially popular.
  • In the US, the main colors of Advent are red and green, so Americans often decorate their wreaths with small red bows and gold-colored decorations.

What are Christmas wreaths made of in Europe?

First letter "o"

Second letter "l"

Third letter "b"

The last beech is the letter "a"

Answer for the clue "What are Christmas wreaths made of in Europe", 5 letters:
alder

Alternative questions in crossword puzzles for the word alder

Eloha, Elshina. What kind of tree

tree with earrings

birch sister

medicinal plant

From what was built the ark on which Rhea Sylvia sent the twins Romulus and Remus down the river

The tree from which the best firewood for barbecues is obtained

Deciduous tree whose fruits are cones

Word definitions for alder in dictionaries

Wikipedia The meaning of the word in the Wikipedia dictionary
Alder is a village in the Ershov volost of the Pskov district of the Pskov region of Russia. It is located 14 km north of the center of the city of Pskov and 9 km east of the volost center of the village of Ershovo. The population of the village as of 2000 was...

Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Vladimir Dal The meaning of the word in the dictionary Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Vladimir Dal
well. elkha vlad. vyat. tree lower olshina, elshina, olshina novg. psk. wolf thief. chickens. tree Alnus glutinosa, black alder, small species. A. incana, stone alder, alder birch, boletus. You can bend an alder, and you can bend an elm with a twist. When the birch...

Examples of the use of the word alder in the literature.

With his eyeless eyes, he saw in front of him a deep, silty barrel between thick roots. alder.

Alder Yes, the aspen pushed the oak and hazel forests aside, the grass seemed to grow lower in the copses, the heather grew thicker and the bilberry in the forests, and yet there was almost no difference: day after day, and the same land!

Then she also admired the brisk river twenty paces from the lake, along which they swam - it was noticeable - with considerable speed, dry reeds and yellow willow leaves, floated to where, because of the dark alder rose the red chimney of the thread factory.

She lived for Shmelev a living and original life, which still reminds of itself in the names of streets and streets, squares and sites, driveways, embankments, dead ends, hiding large and small fields under the asphalt, clearings, fields, sands, mud and clay, mosses , alder, even wilds, or derbies, ku-lizhki, swampy places and the swamps themselves, bumps, puddles, enemy-ravines, valley-ditches, graves, as well as pine forests and a great many gardens and ponds.

They feed on weed seeds alder and birches, red-capped finches are quickly mastered in captive conditions.

According to historical tradition, the birthplace of the Christmas wreath is Germany. Indispensable attributes of a classic Christmas wreath are coniferous branches, red ribbons and candles.

The tradition of decorating a wreath with bells appeared a little later. A wreath with four candles was brought into the house four weeks before Christmas, and one candle was lit every Sunday. On Christmas Eve, when the last candle burned out, a wreath was hung on the front door - as a forerunner and symbol of the holiday.

The basis of the traditional wreath is the branches of coniferous trees. It was believed that spruce and pine personify the triumph of life, bring happiness and prosperity to the house. In addition, it was believed that the shiny bells that adorn the wreath drive away evil spirits with their ringing and serve as a kind of amulet.



Over time, the tradition of decorating the house with New Year and Christmas wreaths came to most countries of Western Europe and the USA, and in the last few years has become popular in Russia. It is customary to decorate with New Year and Christmas wreaths entrance doors and windows of houses or just hang on one of the walls in the house. The wreath is attached to the window opening with the help of sufficiently long and wide decorative ribbons with a bow.

As a rule, branches of coniferous trees still form the basis of the New Year's wreath, and the decor can be very diverse. A wreath in a classic style is decorated with red ribbons and small bells, decorative candles. As New Year's decor ornaments of gold color are widely used - balls, bows, figurines of angels, gilded cones.

No less interesting and also paying tribute to the classical tradition can be a Christmas wreath decorated with glossy leaves and red holly berries, poinsettia and mistletoe branches. This version of the design of the Christmas wreath belongs to the North American tradition.



In Western Europe, candied fruits, marzipan figurines, sweets and gilded nuts were used as decorations for the Christmas wreath and New Year tree. Today, "fruity" Christmas decor is very popular, it is unusually bright, lush and spectacular.

Incredibly charming looks New Year's wreath, decorated with miniature soft toys and Christmas balls. It will be especially appropriate in a house where there are small children.



Today, Christmas wreaths decorated with gilded cones, nuts, fragrant cinnamon sticks, dried flowers and boxes of dried flowers have gained great popularity. Such a wreath creates an unusual feeling of comfort and warmth. hearth.

Today in Russia, the New Year or Christmas wreath is increasingly becoming, if not an alternative, then a spectacular addition to the New Year tree. It is used as holiday decoration houses, offices, cafes and restaurants. Big choice options for decorating the Christmas wreaths themselves allows you to use them to decorate a variety of interiors in style.

On the eve of the New Year and Christmas, wreaths with lights flickering in the branches look unusually impressive. As such an elegant backlight and an alternative to burning candles, you can use a small New Year's LED garland. Depending on the style of the wreath, you can choose between white and matte yellow lighting or multi-colored lights.

Windows decorated with backlit Christmas wreaths look amazingly beautiful, unusual and magical.