The history of the Christmas tree – why it’s pine
Every year, people all over the world put up Christmas trees during December for the festive season and in anticipation of Christmas Day.
The Christmas tree is usually a pine tree where, in America and some other countries, real pine trees are cut down for Christmas and taken home.
The pine tree is an evergreen tree, meaning it keeps its leaves and colour throughout the year where some other trees lose their leaves during winter.
According to a website, www.history.com, long before Christianity, trees that remained green throughout the year had a special meaning for people during winter.
It states that ancient people hung evergreen boughs in windows as it was believed in multiple countries that this would keep away all evil things as well as illnesses.
Seemingly, for creating the tradition as we know it today, Germany was credited for starting this tradition when they brought decorated trees into their homes in the 16th century.
As it is winter in many other countries during Christmas, this evergreen tree has stuck as a signal for Christmas and good will.
South Africa adopted this notion and that is why we have the pine Christmas tree in our homes to celebrate this tradition.
Although it is summer during this time and most trees are green, it’s the evergreen pine that remained as a symbol.
Source: www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees
