The History of the Wreath

History of the Wreath
The wreath has a long history and many religious associations dating back to the ancient cultures of the Persian Empire. Originally, the circlet was called a "diadem" and took the form of fabric headbands which were sometimes adorned with jewels. Beginning in 776 B.C., wreaths made of laurel leaves were used to crown victors of Olympic Games. Later, when the Games began to move to different cities, each host city would award head garlands made of branches of local trees. Exactly when the transition from head ornament to wall decoration occurred is unclear. It is likely that celebration attendees simply hung the leafy headbands on their walls as souvenirs. Today, beautifully decorated wreaths are not only an integral part of the December holidays, but they're popular throughout the year, decorated to fit each season. Perhaps the loveliest use of this symbol is the Advent wreath. Although its true origin is not know, some believe it was inspired by the Swedish Crown of Lights, a candle-bearing crown worn by young Swedish girls on St. Lucia's Day. St. Lucia was a young Christian martyr who gave her entire dowry to the poor

The making of wreaths is an ancient and honored art that began about a thousand years before the birth of Christ. The Christmas Wreath symbolizes the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter. In ancient Rome, people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory and celebration. the custom of hanging a wreath on the front door of your home probably came from this practice. At Christmas, the wreath is symbolic of Christian immortality. the circle and the sphere are symbols of immortality. The use of evergreens and wreaths as symbols of life was also an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews among other people. The use of evergreens for Christmas wreaths and other decorations probably arose in northern Europe, Italy and Spain in the early 19th century. The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red. Green represents the continuance of life through the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Christ. Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed at his crucifixion. but for most of the 20th century, the word "wreath" conjured up visions of rings of evergreens with red ribbons hung on doors at Christmas. The traditional Christmas wreath is hung anytime from right after Thanksgiving to mid-December and left hanging through the winter months.
Did you Know
In the early days in Europe, people would put wreaths on their doors to identify their home in the same manner that house numbers are used today. Each house would have a different wreath made of quite exotic flowers, most likely grown by the home owner right on their own land. Today, wreaths are a common custom in New England, with a different wreath for each season.

The word wreath most often invokes thoughts of Christmas, but its roots can be traced back to the ancient cultures of the Persian Empire, where they were originally used as a sign of importance and victory. Originally, the circlet was called a "diadem" and took the form of fabric headbands which were sometimes adorned with jewels.

Beginning around 776 B.C., The Greeks placed wreaths made of laurel on the heads of victorious athletes in the original Olympic Games. Later, when the Games began to move to different cities, each host city would award head garlands made of branches of local trees.

In ancient Rome wreaths were worn on the heads of leaders such as Julius Caesar much like the crown of a king.

Exactly when the transition from head ornament to wall decoration occurred is unclear. It probably came about when a warrior or athlete decided to save his or her award as a memento of victory.

Perhaps the loveliest use of this symbol is the Advent wreath. The origin of the advent wreath is claimed by several groups although it is now thought of as a Catholic custom.

It probably originated in Northern Europe at a time when Pagan customs were practiced. The evergreen circle or wheel was a symbol of the recurring seasons or the “circle of life” and the candles were to symbolize the coming of light, or spring. The candles were lit to ward off the dark and cold of the winter night in anticipation of the light and warmth of the coming season.

The Swedish custom of the wearing of the crown of lights by young girls on St. Lucia’s Day is another popular explanation for the origin of the Advent wreath.

Others claim the custom was started by the German Lutheran’s and taken up by the Catholics in the early 1500’s

Which explanation is the true one will probably never be known, most likely it evolved from all of them into what is known today as the Advent wreath, the circle of greens decorated with four candles to signify the four weeks prior to Christmas as the Advent weeks and the coming of light.

Today, beautifully decorated wreaths are popular throughout the year, having taken on many different meanings plus using many different types of vegetation.

But by far the most popular use is the Christmas wreath made from evergreen boughs which is hung on a wall or door to invoke warm feelings of Christmas cheer.