Christmas Tree's Global Journey: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Icon

• Evergreen plants held symbolic importance in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Rome, and Celtic cultures, representing resilience and hope.
• The "paradise tree" in medieval German regions, used in miracle plays, was a key precursor, decorated with apples for Adam and Eve's Day.
• The tradition spread to Britain via German royals Queen Charlotte and later Queen Victoria/Prince Albert, becoming a national symbol.
• Introduced to the US by German settlers, it overcame Puritan resistance and was popularized by media and commercialization.
• Environmental concerns led to artificial trees; today, both farmed real trees and artificial versions dominate the market.

Why It Matters: Christmas tree: from ancient evergreen symbolism and medieval German traditions to a global holiday icon.