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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 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, y 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 realism. 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. |
