Our most-read post since we started this blog was a feature we did on symbols and traditions. The piece really came about because we wanted to know the history behind the pickle ornament.
I always believed it was a German tradition based on a war story of a hero solider. Nope. It was an over sensationalized story concocted by a Woolworth’s salesman who was looking for ways to sell more pickle ornaments.
Of course, many of the other symbols we covered in the piece had a more meaningful past: spider, cardinal, rooster, frog, pig, ladybug and donkey.
We’ve found a few more to share.
BUTTERFLY
Butterflies are so often associated with spring, but the symbolism behind these beautiful insects is shared at Christmastime with popular butterfly ornaments. From caterpillar to chrysalis to beautiful butterfly, the cycle of the butterfly is symbolic of the resurrection and eternal life. Just as Jesus emerged from the tomb, the butterfly emerges from the cocoon with a new body.
SUNFLOWER
The sunflower has represented love and loyalty in many cultures. One of the more popular stories about the sunflower comes from the Native American culture. According to the story, a young girl had been betrothed to an old man, even though her love was a young brave. She was turned into a sunflower by the tribe when she refused to marry the older man. The young brave was turned into the sun. The sunflower follows her love as he moves across the sky.
ROSE
Rose has universally been a symbol of beauty and love. At Christmas, the rose has become a popular ornament based on a store of a shepherdess that visited baby Jesus at the manger. The shepherdess was crying because she had no gift for the child. Her tears dropped to the ground and there grew a beautiful rosebush. She presented the blooms to the newborn King as her gift.
POINSETTIA
The poinsettia is one of the most notable symbols at Christmastime. One of the more well-known stories about this symbol comes from Mexico where a poor girl named Pepita had no gift to present to the Christ Child at the Christmas Eve services. She gathered a bundle of weeds and presented it at the alter. Upon laying the weeds on the alter, the leaves turned into the brilliant red and pink we are familiar with on this plant. This miraculous event was named the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night.
Its significant to also point out that is was Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first ambassador to Mexico, who brought the bright red star-shaped flower to the United States. Hence, it was names as Poinsettia.
BIRD NEST
The effort and care from our feathered friends that goes into making a nest is a symbol oftentimes found on Christmas trees. Bird nest ornaments are symbols of the love, commitment and effort it takes to build a happy home. Including a bird nest ornament on your tree is a sign of good fortune for your happy home.
BEE or BEEHIVE
In England, British farmers put sprigs of holly on their beehives. On the first Christmas, they believed, the bees hummed in honor of the Christ Child. Today, bees or beehives are common ornaments on Christmas trees, oftentimes in honor of this tradition or as a symbol of resourcefulness, security or togetherness.
GRAPES
Some of the very first Christmas trees were decorated with real fruit and nuts. When ornaments replaced the food items, early German glass ornaments inn the 1800s were known as kugels and were oftentimes shaped like bundles of grapes, pinecones, apples and eggs. Early kugels can be worth more than $1,000!
Grapes are a symbol of abundance and hospitality. Consider a grape ornament this year instead of a bottle of wine for your hostess gifts!
-Christmas Gal Maureen
