New Year tree: the history of appearance in Russia

It is difficult to imagine the most anticipated holiday in the year, loved by children and adults, without such a classic attribute as New Year's tree. The history of the tradition, which commands to decorate this tree for the holiday, goes back centuries. When did people start to decorate evergreen trees in Russia and other countries, what made them do it?

What does the Christmas tree symbolize?

Inhabitants of the ancient world sincerely believed in the magical powers that trees possessed. It was believed that in their branches are hidden spirits, evil and good, which should be pacified. It is not surprising that the trees became objects of various cults. Ancient people worshiped them, prayed to them, asked for mercy and protection. To the spirits did not remain indifferent, they were offered treats (fruit, sweets), which were hung on the branches or unfolded nearby.

Why did not the pine, eucalyptus, oak and other species decorate, namely the Christmas tree? The New Year story contains many beautiful legends on this topic. The most true version - the coniferous beauty was chosen due to the ability to remain green, whatever the season of the year has come. This made the inhabitants of the ancient world consider it a symbol of immortality.

History of the New Year tree: Europe

The custom, as it is known to the inhabitants of the modern world, developed in medieval Europe. There are various assumptions about when the history of the New Year tree began. Initially, people limited themselves to small branches of pine or spruce, which were hung in the house. However, gradually the twigs changed whole trees.

If you believe the legend, the history of the New Year tree is closely connected with Martin Luther, the famous reformer from Germany. Walking in the evening on the eve of Christmas, the theologian admired the beauty of the stars shining in the sky. Arriving home, he installed a small Christmas tree on the table, dressed it, using candles. To decorate the top of the tree, Martin chose a star that symbolized the one that helped the Magi find the Infant Jesus.

Of course, this is just a tradition. However, there are official references to the Christmas tree, which are approximately the same time period. For example, it is written about in the French annals for the 1600th year. The first New Year trees were of miniature size, they were put on tables or hung to walls and ceilings. However, in the 17th century big Christmas trees were already in the houses. Deciduous trees, which were also used to decorate dwellings before the holidays, were completely forgotten.

Firs in Russia: ancient times

It is believed that the first who tried to make this tree a symbol of the change of the year was Peter the Great. In fact, even the ancient Slavic tribes with special trepidation related to coniferous vegetation, they already had a kind of "New Year tree". The story goes that our ancestors in the height of the winter arranged dances and sang songs near this tree. The goal, for the sake of which all this was done, was the awakening of the spring goddess Zhiva. She was required to interrupt the reign of Santa Claus and save the earth from the ice.

Firs in Russia: The Middle Ages

Peter the Great really tried to consolidate in our country such a wonderful custom as the New Year tree. History tells that the emperor first saw a dressed tree in a house with German friends whom Christmas had met. The idea made a huge impression on him: a fir tree decorated with sweets and fruits instead of ordinary cones. Peter the Great ordered to celebrate the New Year in accordance with German traditions. However, his heirs forgot about this decree for many years.

In this case, the question arises: where did the New Year tree come from in Russia? This would not have happened for a long time if Catherine the Second had not set trees on holidays. Nevertheless, coniferous plants were not adorned until the middle of the 19th century. It was then that the Germans, who did not have enough of this cheerful tradition in Russia, installed the first decorated Christmas tree in St. Petersburg.

Firs in Russia: the Soviet Union

Unfortunately, the coming to power of the Bolsheviks for nearly two decades has made a lovely family tradition illegal. The Soviet government declared decoration of the coniferous trees "a bourgeois whim." In addition, at this time there was an active struggle with the church, and spruce was considered one of the Christmas symbols. However, many inhabitants of Russia of those times did not abandon the beautiful custom. It came to the point that the tree was set up secretly by rebels.

From which only the history of the New Year tree in Russia does not add up! To put it briefly, already in 1935 the tradition again became legal. This was due to Pavel Postyshev, who "allowed" the holiday. However, people were strictly forbidden to call Christmas trees "Christmas", only "New Year's". But the first day of January was returned to the status of the day off.

The first Christmas tree for children

A year after the return of the forest beauty to the houses of people celebrating the main holiday of the year, a grand celebration was held in the House of Unions. With this, the history of the New Year tree in Russia officially began for children, for whom this celebration was organized. Since then, children's institutions have traditionally held similar events with the mandatory distribution of gifts, the call of Santa Claus and Snow Maiden.

The Kremlin Tree

One of the favorite places of the New Year for the inhabitants of Moscow has been the Kremlin Square for many years. All other Russians do not forget to turn on the TV to admire the majestic Christmas tree dressed in honor of the New Year. For the first time the installation of a coniferous tree, symbolizing eternal life, took place in the Kremlin Square in 1954.

Where did the tinsel come from?

Having dealt with the history of the appearance of the main New Year's symbol, one can not help but be interested in its ornaments. For example, such a wonderful tradition as the use of tinsel, also came to us from Germany, where it appeared in the 17th century. In those days it was made from real silver, which was thinly chopped, becoming a silvery "rain", thanks to which the New Year tree was shining. The history of the appearance in Russia of modern products made from foil and polyvinyl chloride is not exactly known.

It is interesting that a beautiful tale is associated with the Christmas tree tinsel. In ancient times a woman lived who was a mother of many children. The family was chronically short of money, so the woman did not manage to properly decorate the New Year symbol, the tree remained almost without decorations. When the family fell asleep, the spiders created a web on the tree. The gods, to reward the mother for her kindness to others, allowed the web to become shining silver.

In the middle of the last century, the tinsel was only silvery. At the moment, you can buy this decoration in almost any color. The characteristics of the materials used for manufacturing make the products extremely durable.

A few words about lighting

As already mentioned, coniferous trees brought into the house on New Year's Eve were taken not only to decorate, but also to light. For a long time only candles were used for these purposes, which were securely attached to the branches. Disputes about who exactly came up with the use of garlands, have not yet been completed. What does the story tell us about the New Year tree with modern lighting?

The most common theory is that for the first time the thought of lighting an evergreen beauty with electricity was expressed by an American Johnson. This proposal was successfully implemented by his compatriot Maurice, an engineer by profession. It was he who first created the garland, assembling this comfortable design from a large number of small lamps. Mankind first saw a festive tree, lit this way, in Washington.

Evolution of Christmas toys

Without a garland and tinsel it is difficult to imagine a modern Christmas tree. However, it is even more difficult to abandon elegant toys that easily create a festive atmosphere. It is interesting that the first Christmas tree toys in Russia were edible. To decorate the symbol of the New Year, figures were created from the dough, wrapped in foil. The foil could be golden, silver, painted in bright colors. Fruits and nuts were also hung on the branches. Gradually, other materials were used to create the decor.

Some time later, glass products, mainly produced in Germany, were brought into the country. But local glassblowers quickly mastered the manufacturing technology, as a result of which bright toys began to be created in Russia. In addition to glass, such materials as cotton wool, cardboard were actively used. The first glass balls were distinguished by considerable weight, by the beginning of the 20th century the masters began to produce thin glass.

Approximately since the early 70's people had to forget about the unique design of ornaments. "Balls", "icicles", "bells" conveyors were stamped with factories that used the same technology. Interesting specimens came across less and less, in different houses hung the same toys. Fortunately, in our days the search for a truly original Christmas tree decor is no longer a difficult task.

A few words about the star

To decorate the tree for the holiday is fun with the child, who will like the story about where the New Year tree came from. The history of appearance in Russia for children will become even more interesting, if you do not forget to tell them about the star. In the USSR it was decided to abandon the classical Bethlehem star, which pointed the way to the baby Jesus. Its alternative was a red ruby product, reminiscent of those that were placed on the Kremlin towers. Sometimes such stars were produced together with light bulbs.

It is interesting that there is no analogue of the Soviet star in the whole world. Of course, modern products for decorating the Christmas tree look much more attractive and interesting.

So, in brief, the life path of the New Year tree looks like the history of its appearance in Russia as a classic attribute of the holiday.