Why do we decorate our houses with Christmas Plants?
Christmas plants play an important role in Christmas celebrations. Rich in symbolism, they often originated in ancient pagan rituals linked to the winter solstice.
In the Celtic world, the Winter Solstice was a major religious event, and many of the plants used in these ancestral rituals have naturally found their place in modern Christmas celebrations.
These plants are chosen not only for their meaning, but also for their appearance, which evokes the festive spirit of the holidays.
Our traditional Christmas plants
Pagans used holly, ivy, and mistletoe to decorate their homes during the winter solstice festivities, as they believed that these plants housed Tree Spirits.
Their branches were not only decorative, but were also believed to protect the Tree Spirits during the twelve days following the winter solstice. This period was considered dangerous, as it was believed that evil spirits roamed the earth while the sun seemed to disappear.
After these twelve days, it was customary to return the Tree-Spirits to nature. This act was intended to help nature gently awaken and ensure good harvests for the months to come.
People believed that failing to release the spirits of the trees in time could anger them and lead to misfortune. Even today, some people cling to these superstitions and believe that keeping Christmas decorations up after January 5th brings bad luck!
Poinsettias have been used in Christmas decorations since the 16th century because of their leaves that turn a carmine red in mid-December.
However, the traditional Christmas plants used in for wreaths are limited to holly, mistletoe, and ivy. In the northern hemisphere, they are usually combined with spruce branches and pine cones to create classic Christmas decorations.
In Christian countries with milder climates, various seasonal plants and flowers are often used instead such as cattails, olive branches and wheat there, as well as flowers such as poppies and pomegranates. Some warmer regions even use orchid cactus, as it blooms in late December.
