TRIVIA BITS … EVERGREENS
In countries where the earth is blanketed with snow at mid-winter, deciduous trees and shrubs appear though dead. Evergreens are a sign of continuing life. In the Northern hemisphere, long before the birth of Christ, evergreens were an important aspect of the winter rituals to safeguard and celebrate the return of life and fertility.
In time, Christians came to use evergreens as symbols of the eternal life promised by Christ. Since the Middle Ages, evergreens have been used as decorations at Christmas time.
The holly has always been a special symbol of fertility, not only its leaves green in winter, but also it produces fruit. The green of the leaves and red of its berries became the colors of Christmas – green for the renewal of life in Spring and red for Christ’s love as shown by the shed blood. In Medieval times people believed that kept both witches and tax collectors away.
Ivy was a weak plant compared to holly, needing to cling to other plants for support. It became symbolically associated with women, while holly typified man.
In the southern hemisphere, Christmas is a time of fruit and flowers so evergreens lose their significance. Australia has the flowering Christmas Bush and, to a lesser extent, Christmas bells.
Christmas Bush
In time, Christians came to use evergreens as symbols of the eternal life promised by Christ. Since the Middle Ages, evergreens have been used as decorations at Christmas time.
The holly has always been a special symbol of fertility, not only its leaves green in winter, but also it produces fruit. The green of the leaves and red of its berries became the colors of Christmas – green for the renewal of life in Spring and red for Christ’s love as shown by the shed blood. In Medieval times people believed that kept both witches and tax collectors away.
Ivy was a weak plant compared to holly, needing to cling to other plants for support. It became symbolically associated with women, while holly typified man.
In the southern hemisphere, Christmas is a time of fruit and flowers so evergreens lose their significance. Australia has the flowering Christmas Bush and, to a lesser extent, Christmas bells.
Christmas Bush 
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