Before I could figure out what object to choose, I asked my ma for help. Immediately, she pointed to the plastic wreath that we had hanging on our wall since Christmas and I think, “That’s perfect.”
A wreath is an assortment of leaves, flowers, and twigs shaped into a ring; its purpose usually revolves around decorating doors and walls during Christmas time. It also serves ceremonial events, such as funerals and memorials. While its use during funerals has some interest, it doesn’t relate to the topic of this paper. Instead, this paper will focus on the wreaths that people use as Christmas decorations. Also, the paper wants to describe the differences between real wreaths (organic leaves) and plastic ones. Even though each wreath communicates
…show more content…
While Christianity has been around for a while and isn't exactly modern, wreaths as Christmas decorations still gain usage nowadays. Also, the choice to write about a wreath instead of a Christmas tree, even though the tree has more popularity, stems from the wreath contains more physical properties that relate to its mythology which increases intrigue. In addition, examining its Christianity context and the wreath’s relationship to God has a higher engagement when discussing its mythology than solely focusing on its Christmas aspect. Even though Christmas represents a holiday that has its origin from Christianity, most people who celebrate Christmas most likely wouldn’t have the context to understand the wreath’s mythology as strongly as a devoted religious person might. To understand this mythology, one must start with an organic …show more content…
The reasoning behind this decision stems from the knowledge that evergreen trees’ leaves stay green and don't fall off even when it’s the dead of winter. When deciding the components of a Christmas wreath, Christians found it important to consider evergreen leaves because it aligned with the meaning they wanted to associate with their wreaths. Another component to Christmas wreaths would be how they shaped these ‘everlasting’ leaves into a circular shape. While a wreath’s definition almost requires that its shape resembles a ring, it’s interesting how Christmas wreath forms this full, unbroken ring/circle. Which differ from other wreaths, such as the ones used as headdresses, because they didn’t need to form a complete circle. With the Christmas wreath’s circularity, the Christians understood this as portraying no clear beginning or ending, resulting in this never-ending feeling to this
The book The Wreath by Kristin Laransdatter is about a loving and religious family who lives in a rural area in Norway. The book revolves around the character Kristin who has a fairly close relationship with her father Lavrans who is a respected master. Ragnfrid is the wife of Lavrans who is going through depression after losing three sons and her youngest daughter being crippled because of an accident. A attempted rape tragedy that ruined her reputation makes Kristin be sent to a convent which turns her life around. Her parents had already betrothed her to a landowner’s son since childhood whose name is Simon Darre. She ends up disobeying her parents, friend and brother, breaking church rules and being untruthful. When she goes to the convent she ends up falling for Erlend Nikulausson and begin a hidden romance because to the church and the state is a sin. Lavrans does not approve the relationship at first because Erlend is seen as impulsive and immature but he realizes that he cannot stop the relationship so he allows them get married. When Erland and Kristen are finall...
The sights of the song helped us give us a visual of somethings that were used to celebrate the holidays. “Christmas tree” uses the literary device to tell us the Christmas tree is where people would have fun and dance around. “Mistletoe” uses the devices of sight to tell us that the mistletoe is were couples kiss each other to celebrate Christmas. “Boughs of Holly “uses the device of sight to tell us that people would decorate their homes with boughs of holly. Sight is the 3rd and final literary device used in the
Lehner, Ernst, and Johanna Lehner. Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees. New York: Tudor. 1960
While going shopping the narrator spots a shiny milk glass that stands out to her. While paying for the bowl she describes the scene perfectly with great description. “I finished paying for the bowl just about the time that red and green lights and star motifs were strung across Main Street. It was dark by five and the colors reflected in the black ice on the street”(Johnson Line 22). The narrator remembers the moment she bought the glass bowl. She remembers how consequently Christmas decorations were being put up as she bought the bowl. Symbolism is shown when she specifically describes the lights and the stars. The narrator not only values having the bowl but also the purchase of the bowl. She symbolises the bowl as Christmas. Johnson used imagery in this case to show the reader that the narrator values Christmas and the bowl is one of the centerpieces of Christmas. Another example is shown when the narrator describes another year. Her house is decorated from head to toe with her favorite decorations. Christmas time for the narrator is time for giving and celebration. Its warmth and joy. “Packages were toted hme so as not to crush the bows. Lights were strung in merriment across Main Street and the department store windows were so beautiful that people went downtown just to see them” (Johnson Line 49). Christmas time is the time for lights and joy. People go and exchange presents and decorate their houses in lights as they sing with glee. Johnson wanted the reader to infer that this is how the narrator references Christmas with. Imagery is used to show how Christmas looked like in her perspective. The reader can infer that the narrator does not only value Christmas but she also values joy and
Whether the rules created by the New York School Board, as established by the DOE Holiday Display Memo, are in violation of the Free Exercise and Establishment clauses of the first amendment.
Peace, happiness, sharing, and an understanding among the brethren attribute to the sense of warmth during the Christmas holiday. It is a time where one can observe the generosity of the rich, and the poor making the best out of nothing. RRegardless of one's situation, it is expected that they be optimistic on this holiday and past it as well. They should make the best of whichever situation they are in. Hope is the very thing that makes this holiday such a success. It gives the people a chance to believe that everything will be all right, and that it will not last forever. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has multiple elements that have symbolic significance in the story. One of utmost importance is fire; used to symbolize the image of hope and happiness. This is seen through out the novella, in each stave and helps conjure up images of one's own experience.
From the cookies and presents, to the break from school, there are many factors that bring glee to the heart of any child; however, one aspect of Christmas has this affect more than any other, and that is Santa Claus. Being the bringer of presents, the symbol of Christmas, and the spreader of joy, his character is iconic, and known by all. With this, though, comes the eventual realization that this man we so adore, does not exist. It is soul crushing to say the least, as in essence, one of our idols has died. For a child, this death is perhaps the beginning of their maturation; once the realization has come, there is a part of the child that grows up. In the poem “The Death of Santa Claus” by Charles Webb, he writes, “he (Santa Claus) can't breathe, and the beautiful white world he loves goes black,” (line 13). While he is discussing Santa, and his passing, this line could also be in reference to the child. The beautiful white world is the whimsical fantasy that is childhood; our imaginations are the very thing that bring that world to life, and when we begin to learn that the things we believed so strongly are not real, the once illuminated, endless world goes black. This goes along with the way we view death as children. In the shows we watch, books we read, and movies we see, death is portrayed as someone ‘seeing the light.’ Naturally, due to our lack of understanding of such a topic, this
According to William Muir Auld’s book Christmas Traditions, the Christmas tree found its way into the hearts and homes of Christian people with their thoughts and sentiment. Auld writes, “On the night in which Christ was born, all the trees in the forest, despite snow and ice, bloomed and bore fruit” (Auld 138). This story was first told by a geographer of the tenth century named Georg Jacob. This story was as highly believed as the birth of Christ. Christmas trees can be dated back through writing, specifically songs and are associated with the Church, specifically to post-Reformation times. The trees, which decorate homes worldwide, are linked to a spiritual tradition practiced by a variety of religious groups. (The Fir Tree, page 241 in
The Christmas tree can be seen as the first symbol in the play A Doll's House, where women have to be obedient to men and hide their true emotions. For example, at the start of Act Two, the stage directions order that “The Christmas tree is in the corner by the piano...” (Ibsen 29) This instruction represents Torvald, Nora's husband, directing Nora to do whatever pleases him even though she might disagree. She sees herself as being isolated by her husband and feels rejected as her opinion is never considered by him. In addition, the directions if Act Two continue to instruct that the Christmas tree is "…stripped of its ornaments and with burnt down candle-ends on it dishevelled branches.” (Ibsen 29) The image that is created by this order reveals that Nora also feels burned out by always having to listen to her husband. The "dishevelled branches" of the Christmas tree indicate that her life is bedraggled and she has t...
In "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a transformation as a result of his encounters with three ghosts and becomes a kind, happy, and generous man. His greedy, cruel, and grumpy demeanor is replaced seemingly overnight, but he doesn’t just wake up and decide to be nice. It takes three Spirits to change his outlook on life - The Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. The Ghost of Christmas Past makes Scrooge begin to regret his selfishness, and the Ghost of Christmas Present begins to teach him about others. This second Ghost helps to make him realize that money doesn't buy happiness. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, however, teaches the most profound lesson of all: unless he changes, no one will care if Scrooge dies. Because of the Ghosts, by Christmas morning Ebenezer Scrooge is a completely different person from the man who went to bed on Christmas Eve.
It would be a great project to create with friends or for a girls’ night with a glass of wine. I actually talked my sister, who was visiting, into making one of her own too. We made our wreaths side by side one afternoon while watching a chick flick during the boys’ rest time — it’s THAT easy and fast to make a DIY Burlap Wreath. The only part of the project that took any length of time was waiting for the paint to dry on the wooden letter “Y” I wanted to hang in the center of my
Throughout history, countless traditions have been created to celebrate several holidays. Many of those who celebrate the holiday traditions are unaware of their origins, but naturally accept them as cultural customs. To be specific, the popular Christian holiday, Christmas, has influenced many traditions including the stories of Santa Claus, the exchanging of gifts, the placement of trees in homes, and the decoration of glowing lights.
During this, slaves were given freedom, gifts were exchanged, and banquets and happiness prevailed. (Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, 1998)Holiday GreeneryEvergreens, the symbol of eternal life, have long been used for Christmas time decorations. The Christmas wreath represents everlasting life and God's endless love for us. Kissing under a mistletoe supposedly started out when early Roman enemies stopped fighting when they met under a mistletoe. Holly is the most known Christmas greenery, and there are several legends about it, one is that Jesus' crown was made of holly, and the holly berries represented his blood. (All About American Holidays, 1962)The Christmas tree: The Christmas tree is an evergreen trimmed with lights, decorations, and tinsel, is derived from a "paradise tree", or the tree in the Garden of Eden.
The altars built for the spirits are one of the most important symbols of Day of the Dead. They are often decorated with symbols such as candles, to light the spirit’s way home, and cempasúchil, or marigolds, which are the native flower of the dead. Special foods such as el pan de muerto, or the bread of the dead, are placed on altars as offerings to the spirits. People also place their loved one’s favorite things, such as instruments, toys, and other foods. A popular Halloween decoration is a carved pumpkin, which is said to keep evil spirits out of your home. This is why we decorate our houses and costumes with scary things-to trick spirits or to scare them away. Halloween also uses skeletons as one of these symbols. However, Day of the Dead uses skeletons, or calacas, as a symbol for life after death. They are the most popular Day of the Dead symbol, and are often printed on another very important altar decoration, papel picado, a design cut into paper. While these Halloween symbols are more for fun, most Day of the Dead symbols are much more important to the
Christmas is filled with traditions, from gifts wrapped under the tree to mistletoe hung in doorways; there is a story behind most of our Christmas traditions. For centuries the Christmas tree has become eponymous as symbol of Christmas throughout the world. In the majority of households that display a Christmas tree each year the majority will be displayed upright, as it would be found in nature. But have you ever considered displaying your Christmas tree upside down? According to the history books there was a time when this was how a Christmas tree would be displayed. In our time, some might consider this strange idea as sacrilegious. In actuality, that could not be further from the truth as at one time it was considered a symbol of