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Friday, December 23, 2016

A WREATH - The Circle of Life

by Judy Ann Davis
During the Christmas season, I enjoy looking at the many different wreaths hanging on the doors of homes. They are colorful, artistic and varied, and are often constructed with evergreens adorned with pine cones, ribbons, bells, berries, and bows. But where did the tradition of hanging a wreath on a door for Christmas originate? Although there are many theories, it’s believed the wreath came with the Irish when they immigrated to the United States.

The wreath itself can be traced back to ancient Rome when people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory and celebration. The custom of hanging a Christmas wreath on the front door of the home probably came from this practice. They are also used in ceremonial events in many cultures around the world.

In English-speaking countries, wreaths are now used typically as household ornaments, mainly as an Advent and Christmas decoration. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them. They are usually made from evergreens which symbolize the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter, since evergreens last even throughout the harshest elements. Bay laurel is also be used, and these wreaths are known as laurel wreaths.

The shape of a circle has no beginning and no ending. It is thought that this may represent the eternal nature of a god's love, or the circle of life.

Do you hang a wreath on your door? If not, what do you do to decorate for the holiday season? From my home to yours--wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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                          And coming soon IN 2017:  FOUR WHITE ROSES 
                         Can a wily old ghost help two fractured hearts find love? 
                 


8 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the history of wreaths. I have a large evergreen wreath (with red berry clusters on it) by my front door. I must confess that it's fake greenery. I've had it for years, so it's definitely long-lasting!

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    1. Thanks for sharing. I have fake greenery, too. But in my small covered back entrance way, I try to get a real pine wreath. When I come in from outdoors, the pine smell wafts out into the air. Beautiful scent.

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  3. Wreathes are beautiful and I admire them but the doors everyone enters this house are glass. I could though put one alongside, I guess. In the house, we've gone to artificial greens due to allergies. They are on the mantle and anywhere that is level. No tree though as we haven't yet found an artificial one we'd like. Maybe next year.

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    1. I use artificial trees in the house just because I don't want the mess of needled and worrying about the tree drying out. This year, we decided up on a small table tree instead of dragging out the big one.

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  4. All our "evergreens" are fake, too, due to allergies. I love them, though, and love our trees. Yes, plural. We have three this year. One in the family room with only white lights, one in the living room with coloredlights and ornaments, and a tabletop Thomas Kinkade tree on the dining table with my little village underneath. I'm a real Christmasaholic. LOL

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    1. You win the Martha Stewart decorating award! This year, we had only a small tree and a few other things like the creche displayed. We did a group Skype Christmas this year with the kids.

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  5. I have a fake evergreen wreath on the front door with tiny white lights and poinsettias decorating it. On the gate into the backyard, I have a pine wreath with glittered pine cones at the top center of it. I like living wreaths but I usually only have 1. The rest of the evergreens are fake. Like Caroline, I used to put up at least 3 trees. Now I'm down to 1.

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