OCR Text |
Show Christmas Trees Universal Symbol The Christmas tree is almost a universal symbol. It Is common In many countries and Its decorations mirror the cultural traditions and customs of the world. The Japanese, who adopted American baseball, have also adopted the Christmas tree. They have given it an oriental appearance appear-ance by decorating its branches with Japanese dolls, woodcuts, small tangerines and rice cookies called "sembei" that hold paper slips of fortunes. In Germany, where the Christmas Christ-mas tree originated, chains and baskets made by hand from ordinary ordi-nary newspapers when nothing else Is available are hung on the tree. Candles have been used for illumination illumi-nation ever since the time of Martin Luther, when the custom of decorating deco-rating trees at Christmas first began. be-gan. The French Christmas tree is loaded with glittering ornaments and sugar-balls hang from its branches. In Italy, the crib is the traditional tradition-al symbol of Christmas and is carefully care-fully arranged beneath every Italian Ital-ian tree. This custom dates back to 1223 . when St. Francis of Assisi arranged the first crib at Grecio, Italy, using a simple manger with a doll to represent the Christ Child and adding live animals for real-Ism. real-Ism. Czechs decorate their trees with clusters of gilded nuts, apples, and cookies made to resemble animal figures, peasant girls, stars and village huts. |