The New Year tree in many countries of the world has long become a symbol of the New Year and Christmas. It is difficult even to imagine that once upon a time people did not even suspect that a coniferous tree could be used as a kind of festive decoration.
It is believed that the tradition of decorating Christmas trees on the New Year first appeared among the Germanic peoples many centuries ago. The spruce was not chosen by chance: this tree symbolized courage, immortality of spirit, faith in the best and even rebirth. The spruce has become a sign of the birth of the new year, the emergence of new hopes. Moreover, it was believed that she was able to bestow protection, protect from evil people, and help win a battle. It was ate that men, women, children and the elderly should have prayed on New Years.
Christians have somewhat changed the pagan tradition. For them, the spruce became a Paradise tree, reminding people of God. This tree was supposed to be decorated with the symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, as well as with paradise fruits - apples. Some Christians decorated the tree with nuts, candy, and angel figurines. Over time, the eight-pointed star of Bethlehem was replaced by a five-pointed one, and the New Year tree ceased to be a symbol reminiscent of the birth of Christ. Apples also ceased to be attached to the tree, because they were too heavy and pulled the branches down. Instead of fruit, they began to use light balls. At first, Christmas decorations were a simple substitute for apples, but over time, this connection was forgotten even by many Christians, and, in addition to balls, a huge number of other New Year's decorative elements appeared.
In Russia, the custom of decorating a Christmas tree on New Year's Eve was established by Peter I. Having learned about this Western tradition, he wished to introduce his subjects to it. This is how a decree appeared, according to which every family on New Year's holidays was obliged to decorate yards, streets and gates of houses, if not with trees, then at least with branches, moreover, it was possible to use not only spruce, but also pine and juniper. At first, people did not like this decree, and they obeyed it only for fear of angering Peter I. However, over time, decorated Christmas trees became an attribute of the New Year and remain so to this day.
