Christmas “tree”

Christmas “boat”

In Greek tradition

• The Christmas tree is the most widespread custom in the world and the decoration is identified with the spirit of the season. Since antiquity there was in all religions tradition of decorated trees or tree parts.

The Christmas tree in Greece

• The custom of the Christmas tree was brought to our country by the Bavarians and the first decorated tree in Greece appeared in Othon’s Palace in 1833.

• Forerunner of the Christmas tree in Greece was the traditional Christoxylo (wood of Christ) or Dodekameritis or Skarkanzalos mainly in the villages of Northern Greece. Every Christmas they put a big stump wild cherry, pine and olive tree in the fireplace which would burn throughout the 12-day feast of Christmas to Epiphany. According to tradition it brings good fortune and mainly protects the house from the goblins coming from chimneys and steal or do damage to the household.

• Undoubtedly the Christmas tree is one of the most beautiful traditions and every year large and small, natural or artificial trees decorate a corner of our house and give joy to young and old.

As a country of the Sea, Greece had the custom of adornment of a boat

• The ship symbolizes the new tack of man in life, after the birth of Christ. Custom declined with time, in front of this of Christmas tree, but no one seems to have it forgotten.

• The Greek traditional boat is a tradition of the old times of our country that children with love, joy and creative mind built their games. It was, however, a kind of honor and welcome to seafarers, who were returning from their travels.

• Before 50 years, ie until the first postwar decade, we met the boat in many Greek homes and into the hands of children who sang carols. Today, this tradition tends to disappear, as it has been replaced by the outlandish Christmas fir.

• However, in the early 1970s, it has been intensively discussed in our country about the removal issue of the Christmas tree and its replacement with the boat, as it combines tradition and ecological consciousness. The question of course was not as straightforward as presented irrefutable arguments from both sides, with references to ecological issues and suggestions from experts on the use of plants and trees, except fir.

• We should note that the Christmas tree has displaced the traditional boat that adorned the Greeks days of Christmas.

• In some areas (especially on islands) still adorn "boats", and in recent years it’s been made a commendable effort of some of the country's municipalities, to restore the custom in its original form, adorning their squares boats instead of trees.

• However, the branch always entered the Greek house during the twelve days from Christmas to the Epiphany, to bring hope for a new flowering, for a better future.

In the special, brilliant decoration offestive atmosphere of days Christmas and New Year, both the traditional boat and the exotic laden tree bring in every home a distinct aroma.

Merry Christmas!