EDITORIAL

Decorations' evolution

The Germanic carol "O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum..." is of ancient origins. Evergreens were considered symbolic of eternal life in many societies, including early Chinese, Egyptian and He-brew. Gauls and Anglo-Saxons leaned toward holly, mistletoe and oak. Scandinavians placed evergreen firs around their homes and barns at the beginning of the solstice to confuse lingering devils. Germanic lore brought the tree inside, or at the entrance to the home.

As Christianity strengthened, a popular depiction of Adam and Eve used a fig tree adorned with apples, called the Paradise Tree, as the centerpiece in a melodrama concerning the Garden of Eden. The Paradise Tree eventually merged with the Christmas Pyramid, a triangle consisting of a pyramid of shelves supporting greenery and religious objects, all topped with a star.

Greenery in its various forms was traditionally set up on Dec. 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. Celebrations continued until the 12th day, Jan. 6, or Epiphany. Relics of "Old Christmas" continue even today on portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks.

The story goes that royalty of German descent introduced the fir as a Christmas tree to England. [It was Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort. OG] Candies, cakes and paper chains, and intricate hollow glass ornaments of Oriental and Germanic manufacture, joined the scene, while in the New World strings of cranberries and popcorn were included. Candles indicated the flame of life.

Eastern Carolina lacked fir trees, so early settlers substituted the more abundant cedar. Colonists replaced expensive glass baubles with colorful net floats, seashells, yaupon berries and bayberry candles, and festooned the whole with nets

A more recent Down East version of the ancient Paradise Tree consists of triangular panels of green plastic-coated wire crab pot netting assembled in Christmas tree form. The tannenbaum tradition continues.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2001