Q. what is the symbolism or history behind christmas trees, stars, candy canes, menorahs, and other holiday decorations
please answer for more ht an just christmas if your aware
can you write your religion just curious
Answer
Christmas Tree Facts
Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest.
In 2002, Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington, New York, and Virginia were the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon was the leading producer of Christmas trees â 6.5 million in 2002.
The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, balsam fir and white pine.
More than 2,000 trees are usually planted per acre. On an average 1,000-1,500 of these trees will survive. In the North, maybe, 750 trees will remain. Almost all trees require shearing to attain the Christmas tree shape. At six to seven feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to ten years of fighting heavy rain, wind, hail and drought to get a mature tree.
In the United States, there are more than 21, 000 Christmas tree growers.
In the United States, there are around a half billion Real Christmas Trees growing on U.S. farms.
In the United States, there are more than 12,000 cut-your-own farms.
In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
From 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the "Christmas Ship" would tie up at the Clark Street Bridge in Chicago and sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans.
The tradition of an official Chicago Christmas tree was initiated in 1913 when one was first lit by Mayor Carter H. Harrison in Grant Park.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family.
The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.
Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife.
Recycled trees have been used to make sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelter.
The first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States was started in 1851 in New York by Mark Carr.
Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature.
Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.
Since 1971, the Province of Nova Scotia has presented the Boston Christmas Tree tree to the people of Boston in gratitude for the relief supplies received from the citizens of Boston after a ship exploded in 1917 following a collision in the Halifax, Nova Scotia Harbor. Part of the city was leveled killing injuring thousands.
The use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ.
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry.
98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
In 1856 Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, was the first President to place a Christmas tree in the White House.
President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn in 1923.
In 2002, 21% of United States households had a real tree, 48% had an artificial tree and 32% had not tree.
73 million new Christmas trees will be planted this year.
On average, over 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre.
You should not burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace; it can contribute to creosote buildup.
Other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past.
Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill.
There are over 500 Christmas tree growers in Illinois.
In 2002, over 144,000 real trees were harvested in Illinois.
Using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the middle of the 17th century.
Nineteenth century Americans cut their trees in nearby forests.
Thomas Edisonâs assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882.
Christmas tree lights were first mass produced in 1890.
In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted until December 22nd because of a national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy.
Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons.
In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
Michigan ranks third (2.4 million trees in 2002) among all states in the production of real Christmas trees, but grows a larger variety (13) of Christmas trees than any other state.
A Christmas tree decoration was banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead at one time, now itâs made of plastic.
Real Christmas trees are involved in less than one-tenth of one percent of residential fires and only when ignited by some external ignition sources.
In 1998 more than 32 million Real Christmas Trees were used in the U.S. Of these, only 0.00093% were ignited in home fires.
~
The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the purity of the Christmas season. Red stripes are for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we may have eternal life. The candy cane is formed into a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus. It can also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd. Its hard consistency represents the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and the firmness of the promises of God. (Candy cane legend card included)
~
According to early legend, bells rang throughout the world announcing the birth of Christ. The ringing of bells during the joyous holiday season still adds delightful accompaniment to favorite carols and is a significant part of the Christmas celebration. High in their towers, suspended between heaven and earth, church bells have called the faithful to worship for centuries.
~
In the Polish tradition of celebrating Christmas, the star has special significance. On Christmas Eve the first star of the night is named Gwiazda or âlittle starâ in remembrance of the Star of Bethlehem. At the moment it appears, greetings and good wishes are exchanged. Families then partake of the Christmas supper, Wigilia, the most carefully planned meal of the year.
~
The apple played an important role in traditional European Christmas Eve celebrations. Following dinner, the head of the family would slice an apple crosswise. If there was the image of a perfect star inside and the seeds were plump, it was believed that a peaceful year of good fortune and health awaited the family. Each member of the family then ate a piece of the apple. Symbol of the Apple card included.
~
According to Alpine folklore, suitors proved their love by climbing high crags of the Alps in search of the flower. Tragically, many suitors fell to their death or died of exposure to the weather. The Edelweiss is still worn today as a symbol of love, bravery, strength, and dedication. Its popularity with German and Austrian emperors earned the edelweiss the title, âFlower of Emperors and Kings.â
~
Christmas Symbols
The Origin of Different Symbols of Christmas
Home > Holidays > Christmas > Christmas Symbols
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th of each year. It is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The word "Christmas" means "Christ's Mass" - derived from the English term "Christes masse". There are many different customs and traditions around the world. American customs come from many places. Santa Claus has a Dutch origin. He was developed from St. Nicholas who was a real person. St. Nicholas, was the patron saint of school boys. He brought gifts to the children. The idea that Santa Claus comes down the chimney originated in Norway, where children hang Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantel. Christmas trees have pagan origins. When pagans became Christian, they used evergreens (a sacred tree) for the holiday by decorating them with nuts and candles. They sang Christmas carols as they danced around the Christmas tree.
Christmas colors are red and green. Today, traditional Christmas activities include caroling, making and giving gifts, sending cards to family and friends, and enjoying festive dinners and parties. Below are symbols of Christmas and their significance.
Advent Wreath
Four candles placed on a wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of Christ's birthday.
Angel
An angel told the shepherds of the birth of Jesus. Angels come in many forms for Christmas decorations including the tree topper.
Bells
Church bells rang to announce the birth of Jesus. They still ring today.
Camels
Camels are the animals the wisemen rode following the star to where Jesus was born.
Candles
Candles represent the light that Jesus brought to earth. Pagans who converted to Christianity used candles on the sacred evergreen tree.
Christmas Cards
For many years, private notes of good tidings were sent at Christmas time. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole had 1000 special designed cards printed. The custom of sending Christmas cards began.
Christmas Caroling
Caroling is a medieval custom of singing and dancing around a Christmas tree. Early carols weren't holy enough for singing inside a church, so caroling was done outside.
Christmas Cookies
Originated with pre-Christian Romans who gave sweet cakes to their senators.
Christmas Seals
A Danish postal clerk sold Christmas stamps (Christmas seals) to show that users had given to a worthy cause.
Christmas Stocking
There is a legend associated with the origin of Christmas stockings. St. Nick, who wanted to remain anonymous and help a poor family, threw gold coins down their chimney. They fell into a stocking that was hanging there to dry.
Christmas Tree Lights
The lights represent Christ as being the "Light of the World." Lights also represent stars. Candles were first used as lights on the Christmas tree.
Creche
Whats the harm in leaving a gas stove top (open flame) on ?
Dusty
Ive been reviewing many answers on yahoo answers about this topic and they all seem to go back and forth. So im asking a more specific question in search of VERY specific answers..
Our electricity has been out for about 48 hours now and my duplex is getting pretty cold. Ive got no heat, no electricity, only gas, which allows me to still have hot showers as the hot water heater works only on gas alone with a non-electrical thermostat.
Being the house is so cold, Ive tried to light the gas oven and that didn't work. I also tried to light the gas stove top and that DID work. I used an electric fire starter to light the stove top because the electric pilot light starter doesn't work due to the power outage. Over the last two days that the power has been out, ive been able to cook lunch and dinner on the stove top as long as i light it myself. Ive found nothing wrong with doing that and the stove stays lit just fine. The flame also looks normal like it should the whole time im cooking at any gas setting I want.
Well, I started to think, whats the difference in leaving the stove top on with the flame going or having a gas fireplace running ? Flame is flame and heat is heat so whats the difference ? is what i was thinking.. So I left the stove top flame on and I went to the hardware store. As long as its burning, whats the deal ?
Well I came home last night from the hardware store and my roommate was home.. and earlier this morning, he rips my ass for leaving the stove top on and leaving the house.. He claims that I could have blown the house up, or killed him and his girlfriend and he was really upset. He claimed that I could have killed them both by carbon monoxide poisoning. I apologized and told him im sorry. I also said I wont ever do it again for his sake to avoid further conflict but, Ive spent the whole day thinking about it and I cant see the severity of the issue any differently.
We have a gas water heater in the basement of this duplex with a flame the size of large dinner plate underneath it that stays lit and running on high for hours after we take long hot showers. And that's not dangerous or been a threat to him or us at all. Same thing, its just under a tank full of water rather than on top of a stove.
Growing up with my mom, we use to turn the stove on and the stove door cracked open all day long for heat. And that was a gas stove with a flame on the inside bottom of it too ! She also had a gas fireplace installed later and we have left that thing running all night before for heat and it hasn't been a threat or danger to use.. A lot of people all over the world use gas fireplaces. Ive heard a bunch of people talk about cracking the windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning ? Well why in the world would you crack a door or window when its 10 below outside and your purpose is to get heat anyways ? sounds stupid to me.
He even argued, well what if something would have fell on the stove or flame ? then the whole house would have burnt down.. And well, yeah that's true, but, there's nothing around the stove that could have ever "fell" on top of it anyway to even become ignited.
So Im not asking for opinions from Worried Willeys, Negative Nancies, or Safety Suzies. I simply want to know the facts.. Also... if carbon monoxide is produced from from the combustion of natural gas such as with a stove top, which i could understand. I would like to get an idea of how much.. Like.. if You leave two stove tops on and burning at medium strength for say an hour... Is that really going to do any harm ? or pose any threat ? People all around the world cook for longer and harder intervals than that on holidays and often a few times a week ! And gas fireplaces stay burning way longer than that as well. So is my roomate blowing this out of proportion ?
Answer
You shouldn't have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning unless you are in a tiny air-tight room. A detector is a good idea though. As far as blowing anything up ...... no. It aint gonna happen unless you fill the house with gas first and then light it. ....
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
