The Christmas Tree: Origins and Symbolism
The Christmas Tree: Origins and Symbolism
Natale, the Latin for Christmas, means “day of birth.” In different cultures and regions of the world, December 25 is celebrated as the date marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Among the various Christmas traditions, shaped by regional expressions and local customs, one stands out and seems to have crossed borders and centuries: the decoration of the Christmas Tree.
The origin of this practice dates back to Central Europe in the 16th century, when candles began to be used to decorate trees in cathedrals in the German Lutheran tradition. Centuries earlier, however, there were already legends that associated trees with Christian culture. One of them tells that Saint Wilfrid, an Anglo-Saxon monk who worked in Central Europe, had encountered communities that believed in the existence of a guardian spirit in the oak tree, which was considered sacred. To offer a new perspective, he is said to have decided to cut down an old oak tree that was venerated in front of his small church.
According to tradition, at the moment the tree fell, a storm formed, and lightning struck the trunk, splitting it into four and scattering its branches around. Despite this, a small, newly-sprouted pine tree, growing exactly where the oak had fallen, remained intact.
Saint Wilfrid interpreted the event as a sign, symbolizing divine protection over purity and innocence, associating the episode with the symbolism of Christmas celebrations. In his sermons, he stated that the little pine represented peace and immortality, as it remained green even through the harshest winters. Thus, by linking the image of the resilient pine tree to the Christmas season, Saint Wilfrid contributed to this tree becoming prominent in Christmas celebrations in the years that followed.
A similar narrative involves Saint Boniface (675–754), Archbishop of Mainz, in Germany, who is said to have cut down an oak tree to build a church dedicated to Saint Paul. In the same place, it is told that a small pine tree sprouted, which came to be seen as a symbol of peace and was associated with Christian traditions.
In addition to these legends from Central Europe, which associate ideas of eternity, light, peace, and abundance with the symbolism of the tree, there are also biblical passages that use this metaphor. In one of them, Jesus is said to have taught that people could be recognized by their actions: “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit(…). A good tree cannot bear bad fruit (…). Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Gospel of Matthew (7:16–20).
Centuries after the birth of Jesus, many of His teachings continue to spread among different peoples and cultures, as do the traditions that celebrate the date of His birth. As a new month of December arrives, the messages of peace and love symbolized in the decorations of Christmas trees multiply and, like the fruits of a flourishing tree, reach many places throughout the world.
Sources:
MAZZAROLO, Brother Isidoro. Natal: teologia, tradição e símbolos. 1st ed. Aparecida, SP: Editora Santuário, 2004. 160 p.
THE HOLY BIBLE. New International Version. Available at https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/7.htm (Accessed December 13, 2025)
