“Der Weihnachtsbaum” is the German word for Christmas tree. But it is equally often referred to as “Der Tannenbaum” which simply means fir tree but in December always refers to the Christmas tree.
The modern Christmas tree (weihnachtsbaum) originated from Germany. In the 16th century, German Christians brought decorated trees into their home to celebrate the holiday, with many families building Christmas pyramids of wood and decorating them with evergreens if wood was scarce.
Today the most famous features of Dortmund Weihnachtsmark are the world's largest Christmas tree with more than 45 meters. The tree is made of 1,700 spruces from Sauerland. Twenty huge candles and 48,000 lights shine over the Christmas market. The top is decorated with a four-meter-high angel.
A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Although most Christmas trees today are spruce (Fichten) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several Tannenbaum songs in German over the years.
More modern day Christmas trees have sentimental ornaments, usually glass blown or handmade from straw. Very few Christmas trees in Germany have all matching colours or themed trees, with the majority of ornaments passed down the family or collected over years. Bridal ornaments are also a newish tradition in Germany.
How Christmas trees stopped being just a German thing
What type of Christmas tree decoration is Germany known for?
In 18th century, the Christmas tree become popular throughout Germany. Traditionally decorated with roses, apples, wafers, tinsel (also a German invention) and sweetmeat. The evergreens themselves were used as a symbol of everlasting life.
O Tannenbaum, which literally translates to “O fir tree,” is a combination of the tune from an old German folksong “Es lebe hoch der Zimmermannsgeselle” (“Long live the carpenter's apprentice”), and words penned in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz, a Leipzig schoolmaster, based on a 16th-century Silesian folk song by Melchior ...
What is the German Christmas song about the Christmas tree?
"O Tannenbaum" (German: [oː ˈtanənbaʊm]; "O fir tree"), known in English as "O Christmas Tree", is a German Christmas song. Based on a traditional folk song which was unrelated to Christmas, it became associated with the traditional Christmas tree.
What is the German tradition of the Tannenbaum tree?
The modern Tannenbaum (Christmas trees) is traditionally decorated in secret with lights, tinsel and ornaments by parents and then lit and revealed on Christmas Eve with cookies, nuts and gifts under its branches.
The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.
What is the most famous Christmas tree in the world?
Perhaps the most famous Christmas tree in the world, the Norway spruce at Rockefeller Center usually has a height between 70 to 100 feet! The tree in the middle of the Rockefeller Complex scrapes the sky with a majestic aura. And, well, there's nothing like Christmas in New York City.
German Good Luck Symbols or German Christmas Symbols: As Found in German Pyramids, German Smokers, German Cuckoo Clocks and German Nutcrackers. Germany is known for providing the candle pyramid, nutcrackers, and smokers to Christmas celebrations, but there are many other Christmas symbols, which stem from this country.
In Germany, people use an Adventskranz, or advent wreath, with four candles on it to celebrate the four advents or the four Sundays before Christmas. On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Eve, a candle is lit. After lightning the first candle, the Christmas season officially begins.
They carefully place glass baubles and string lights and choose between novelty ornaments. And a small percentage of these people, following a German tradition, hang a Christmas pickle, or Weihnachtsgurke. They don't just hang a pickle ornament, though.
What do Germans do with their Christmas tree on January 6th?
In Germany, it marks the end of the Christmas season: all Christmas markets close by January 6, and on the evening of Epiphany, families typically light their Christmas trees for a final time before taking down their decorations.
Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”
The modern Christmas tree originated in Germany, where families set up a paradise tree in their homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They hung wafers on it (symbolizing the Eucharistic host, the Christian sign of redemption).
Is the Germans favorite Christmas tree the Nordmann fir?
The Nordmann fir is native to the European Caucasus Mountains and is the traditional German Christmas tree (or Tannenbaum), making it the most popular tree in Europe and most of the United States. They are the softest and fattest of the tree types listed here, and their “edges” are more rounded.
What was the first Christmas tree made out of in Germany?
I'm sure there were earlier examples. Sure enough, the first were in Germany during the 19th century. They used dyed goose feathers. Artificial Christmas tree - Wikipedia .
Which German royal is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition?
Prince Albert, the German consort of Queen Victoria, is widely credited with introducing the Christmas tree tradition to the UK in 1840. But, it was actually an earlier German royal, Queen Charlotte, who, in 1800, put a little sparkle into our Christmas period.
Legend has it that when Germans decorate their Christmas tree, the very last ornament they hang on it is a pickle. ... On Christmas Eve, the first child to find the pickle hidden amongst the branches on the tree is said to get good luck for the year to come, as well as an extra present.
Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.
In German, the phrase "Frohe Weihnachten!" which translates to "Merry Christmas” is commonly used. If you prefer a more neutral expression, say "Frohes Fest!" ("Happy Celebration!") or "Schöne Feiertage!" ("Beautiful Holidays!").
