The tradition of decorating Christmas Tree

Polska choinka – zgodnie z polską tradycją świąteczną, jest dekorowana i zapalana w pokojach rodzinnych. Oczywiście w dniu Wigilii. Inne drzewka umieszczane są w większości miejsc publicznych i na zewnątrz kościołów. Nikt nie wyobraża sobie świąt Bożego Narodzenia bez pięknie przystrojonego drzewka. Ale gdzie i jak to wszystko się zaczęło? Czy ten zwyczaj był zawsze zachowywany przez Twoich polskich przodków?

Origin and meaning of decorating Christmas Tree

Decorating is one of the youngest Christmas traditions in Poland. It was brought to us from Germany in 18th century. At first it was popular only in big cities. With time people started to decorate trees in their houses although it was not accepted by the Catholic Church right from the beginning. It was caused by the fact that decorating Christmas tree was taken from pagans and was considered as magic ritual and witchcraft. The tree was kind of a talisman that should protect the house from evil spirits and keep family members safe.

According to Polish tradition the tree should be a fir or a pine. By folk beliefs it symbolize life, by the Church the green colour of the tree is regarded as a symbol of hope. The ornaments also was not accidental. In the past Christmas trees were decorated with candles, cakes, nuts, apples and handmade paper adornments. Each one of these ornaments had its own meaning for example apples were for health and beauty, nuts for strength and welfare and candles for protection against evil and darkness.

Conclusion

Today Christmas tree decorations are less symbolic. We usually use electric lights, shimmering chains, glass balls handmade, paper ornaments are becoming more and more popular. Although all these are less symbolic then it used to be the true magic is in decorating the tree with our beloved ones and that is why is still one of the most important elements of Polish Christmas.