On Christmas trees, you can find different toys: icicles, snowflakes, artificial fruits, stars and much more. The most popular decorations are balls of different sizes and colors. But where did the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree with balls come from? Do these toys have any secret meaning?
Decorating a Christmas tree is a painstaking task that requires a creative approach. After all, it is necessary to place your favorite toys on the fluffy branches so that they combine with each other so that the festive tree does not look clumsy.
Now there are many different New Year's toys. They are made from different materials, giving them different shapes and silhouettes. To this day, balls remain one of the most popular types of Christmas tree decorations. Christmas balls come in different sizes and colors, with or without patterns, shiny and matte. They are made not only from glass, but also from plastic or even wood. However, not everyone knows where the tradition of hanging balls on spruce branches came from. There are several explanations for this phenomenon: historical, magical and esoteric.
Why balls are hung on the tree: a historical point of view
In ancient times, Christmas / New Year trees were decorated with something edible. Sweets, gingerbread, nuts, fruits, berries were used. The first main decorations were apples. They symbolized the same biblical forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve tasted. This tradition originated in Europe.
In one of the lean years, not all of the European population could afford to decorate a festive tree with apples. Glassmakers from different countries have created glass apples as decorations. They were transparent, with dense walls. Inside, these apple balls were hollow. This innovation quickly caught on for various reasons. Firstly, the glass balls reflected the light of the candles, which added a special festive atmosphere. Secondly, round Christmas tree decorations did not deteriorate, did not rot the way apples did. Thirdly, there was no need to re-create decorations every year, the balls could be easily stored at home in boxes.
Decorating a Christmas tree with balls: an esoteric approach
From the point of view of esotericism, the Christmas tree ball represents the sphere of the Universe. It encompasses the Universe in the broadest sense of the word and the personal world of a person. At the same time, the ball contains within itself all the desires and goals that you want to achieve in the coming new year.
Esotericists recommend hanging three balls of different colors on a New Year's tree. If you want financial stability, then you need to place three red balls on the branches. If you need to get rid of diseases, then choose green balls. To attract love, yellow balls are suitable. For spiritual growth, the development of extrasensory abilities, you need to decorate the Christmas tree with purple or lilac balls. If there is a need to harmonize the atmosphere in the house, then you should choose blue balls. Golden spheres on spruce branches keep warmth, comfort and sunshine. Silver - bring tranquility and are symbols of the moonlight.
A magical look at Christmas balls
Familiar to the eye, Christmas balls were once an exclusively magical attribute. They were called witch balls. They could be created for a variety of purposes, both good and bad. Hollow witch balls were filled with salt, sand, flowers and herbs, stones and other magical things in the witch's arsenal. On their walls from the inside, spells could be applied. The outside of the balls was also painted with various magic symbols.
The witch's balls on the tree served as a talisman. They reflected light, were a kind of mirrors that did not allow evil forces from another world to enter the house. In addition, they also protected from dishonest, negative-minded people.
During the decoration of the New Year tree, wishes were made on the balls, meditations were carried out. They were charged with moonlight, fire or water, which turned the Christmas tree ornament into a magical object with meaning.
