The Meaning behind Christmas Tree Ornaments
Most of us will agree that the Christmas tree ornaments that we place on our tree year after year are packed with plenty of history and sentimental value. However, certain ornaments also come with a legend attached to them as well. Many people will place key symbols on their tree in the form of Christmas tree ornaments. These symbols might include the candy cane, a shimmering spider or a Christmas pickle. Each of these symbols of the season comes with its own story that has been passed down through the generations.
The Legend of the Candy Cane
You may know that candy canes are fun to eat during the holidays and make festive Christmas tree ornaments, but did you know that they have religious significance as well? The legend of the candy cane says that a candy maker wanted to create a sweet that would be a testament to his faith. He decided to create a hard candy, since the Jesus that he knew was also called the Rock of the Ages. The shape of the candy cane is in the letter "J" for Jesus, or a shepherd's staff when turned right side up. The white color signifies the purity of Christ, and the red represents the blood that Christ shed for all. Now many people use this special symbol as a Christmas tree ornament.
The Story of the Christmas Spider
There is another legend regarding a Christmas tree ornament - a shimmering spider that hangs from many Christmas trees today. The story is about a woman who was busy cleaning her home for the day when the Christ-child would visit her home and bless it. The spiders in the house had even been swept away, and had scurried to the attic for refuge. However, these spiders wanted to see the beautiful Christmas tree downstairs, so when everyone was asleep, they crept back down for a viewing. They loved the tree so much that they danced about it all night, leaving their webs behind them. When the Christ-child came the next day and saw what the spiders had done, he reached out to touch the webs and turned them to shimmering gold and silver. This is why you will see tinsel or a sparkling spider hanging from tree branches today.
The Christmas Pickle
The Christmas pickle is a Christmas tree ornament that is found in American traditions, although some still believe that the roots of this Christmas tree ornament came from Germany. Families would hang a single glass pickle somewhere on their Christmas tree each year, along with a large assortment of other Christmas tree ornaments. When the children came downstairs on Christmas morning, it is thought that the first one to find the Christmas pickle would receive a special gift and would enjoy a year of good fortune. This is another Christmas tree ornament that is still found on many trees today.
