Brown, Barbara wrote:
Web searches indicate the same 12th century info (e.g.
http://www.christmasarchives.com/trees.html). I'm unqualified to
evaluate sources in this case. Maybe there's a historian among us who
is up to the task?
This site says: "Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the
Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree,
as they had previously revered the Oak."
Hmm. Or perhaps they used conifers because deciduous tree don't have any
leaves in the winter? The decorating of pine trees for religious
holidays dates back at least to ancient Roman cult of Cybele, whose
lover, Attis, was said to have castrated himself as punishment for an
infidelity, and then beld to death under a pine tree, only to rise again
three days later (sounding familiar?). This act of self-sacrifice was
celebrated by cutting down a pine tree and decorating it with violets to
represent Attis' blood. By the way, priests of Cybele were celebate
(because they were castrated as well).
Chris
--
Christopher D. Green
Department of Psychology
York University
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Canada
416-736-5115 ex. 66164
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.yorku.ca/christo
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