What does the Christmas Tree really symbolize?
Most of us know that the Christmas Tree is a carry over from Pagan times. Yet how many of you know what this tree meant to these ancient peoples?
Trees were venerated all over the world for thousands of years as a symbol of the cosmic world tree, which bore the fruits of wisdom and eternal life. The world tree was called the axis mundi, an immovable central pole of the universe in which all life evolves. It encompasses all worlds of existence (the stem=our human life, the branches =heavens and Gods, and the roots=the realm of the ancestors and underworld. In some traditions the Sacred Tree also represents the four Cardinal Directions. The Pine tree is of particular interest as a symbol of eternal life, as it is Ever Green during the changing seasons.
The Christmas Tree Says it All. Gifts at the roots symbolizes abundance and the fertility of creation. As a tree is represents an axis mundi, or cosmic center of the world in which the eternal energies of creation pour continuously. The Greeness of the tree, is the promise of life, eternally renewed. And the silver star at the top is the mythic image of the pole star, of the world axis.
With all of this glorious symbology, is it not ironic that each year millions of trees surrender their lives simply to decorate our homes for a short period of time. Perhaps if the ancient meanings were still alive, our tradition would be different.