17 December 2021 | Culture
Le sapin de Noël
Sun rebirth tree
Between 2000 and 1200 BC, the spruce is the symbol of the rebirth of the sun.
Indeed, the Celts allocated a tree each month according to their lunar calendar.
The spruce, symbol of life, was associated with December 24, celebrating the winter solstice. It was decorated with flowers and fruits. Rock engravings in the Scandinavian regions attest to this symbolism.
In the 7th century, the fir tree was collected by Christians who planted young fir trees in celebration of the birth of Christ.
Tree of paradise
In the 11th century, the Christmas tree is decorated with red apples and becomes "the tree of paradise".
It was in the 12th century that it appeared in France, in Alsace. It was not until the 16th century that it was considered the Christmas tree. It is then more gourmet, decorated with cakes and sweets.
In the 17th century, the firs were lit with candles.
A little anecdote: in 1738 Marie Leszczynska, wife of the King of France Louis XV, had a Christmas tree installed in the Palace of Versailles.
Today, the Christmas tree occupies a major place in homes at Christmas. Nearly 6.5 million Christmas trees are sold each year in France.
How do you decorate your tree?