Holiday wreaths are part of Yuletide legend and lore

You’ll find lots of interesting tidbits on various Yuletide and holiday traditions in The Old Farmer’s Almanac, owned by Yankee Publishing Inc., located in Dublin, N.H. 

Robin Sweetser, an almanac contributor, is an expert on holiday wreaths. She tells readers: “This time of year, Christmas wreaths are hung in every place imaginable – from doors and fences to lampposts and windows – even the front grille of the car! How did a round bit of greenery come to symbolize the holidays?”

 

“Wreaths are part of many ancient traditions dating back to the earliest civilizations. The circle is a symbol of immortality,” Sweetser wrote. “Throughout history, wreaths have been associated with life, rejuvenation and renewal.” 

“The Greeks awarded laurel wreaths to their triumphant athletes; in the Persian Empire, they were worn on the head as a symbol of importance; and ancient Romans wore them like crowns,” she said.

 

Researchers from Agriculture for Life, an organization based in Foothills, Alberta, Canada, say the word “wreath” comes from the Old English word “writhian,” which means “twist.” 

“Wreaths are usually made by twisting greenery together and adorning them with flowers, berries and other decorative materials,” said a spokesperson for the group. “Often created from the trimmings of Christmas trees as they’re given their signature triangular shape, wreaths are a great way to prevent waste and celebrate winter festivities.” 

In the 16th century, the people of Scandinavia made wreaths that were used in the celebration of Yule, which marked the winter solstice (usually Dec. 21) and the return of the sun as the days slowly started to get longer again – the turning of the year’s wheel, thus restarting the cycle of life.  

According to Rob Taylor, an entrepreneur and Viking reenactor who resides in York, a city in northeastern England, Yule festivities involved a lot of drinking and lasted 12 days…or as long as the ale continued. 

The Norse god Odin was depicted as a majestic old man with a flowing beard and only one eye. During Yuletide, Odin was said to ride through the skies on his eight-legged horse, collecting the souls of the dead. So, everyone stayed indoors feasting on a Yule boar, afraid to go outside lest they be caught out alone and abducted during the hunt,” Taylor said.

 

The burning of a Yule log was also necessary to ward off evil spirits. “It was customary that no work was to be done during Yuletide,” Taylor added. “We hear stories of the goddess Berchta visiting peoples’ houses and punishing those who had been spinning during Yule.” 

In the rural areas of Scandinavia, it was common practice during Yuletide for farmers to leave out porridge with butter as a treat for the little red-capped elves who guarded the family and animals from misfortune. 

In the 19th century, a Lutheran pastor in Hamburg, Germany, was credited with creating the first Advent wreath. He was Johann Hinrich Wichern, who was the founder of a refuge for orphan and wayward boys.

 

As Christmas approached each year, the boys would daily inquire: “Pastor Wichern, how many more days until Christmas?” In 1839, Wichern ingeniously thought to use a wreath as a teaching tool. He used a wooden wheel from a cart to create a simple wreath with candles positioned around the rim that was hung in the dining hall. 

A large white candle symbolized every Sunday of Advent. For every other day in between, Wichern placed a small red candle in the wreath. Each day during Advent prayers, Wichern would light a candle and teach the children about Jesus.