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.
While 25th December is still a national holiday in Germany, it's celebrated differently to how we do in England. Traditionally, the family will gather around a heartwarming meal, attend church, children will play with their new toys and the white candle of the Advent wreath (the one in the middle) will be lit.
The symbols of the German state include the federal flag and the national colours - black, red and gold. They also include the national anthem and the federal eagle.
This German Christmas custom is one of the most popular traditions. The angels are usually placed on the Christmas tree, or on sideboards. In some families, angels are passed down through the generations and include special meanings, such as hope, joy and prosperity.
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.
5 German Christmas traditions you should know | History Stories
Is Krampus a demon?
Krampus is thought to come from either Bavarian: krampn, meaning "dead", "rotten", or from the German: kramp/krampen, meaning "claw". The Krampus is considered to be a half-goat, half-demon monster in some legends. Its role is to punish bad children or scare them into being good.
The modern figure of Santa is based on folklore traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, the English figure of Father Christmas, the German Belsnickel and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas.
It was most likely the medieval German tradition of Christmas plays, with an Angel of the Annunciation as the main character, which gave the Christmas Angel its earthly appearance. As angels of all sorts began to be depicted as female and not only male, the Christkind also took on a feminine appearance.
What does the Christmas tree symbolize in Germany?
Whether that tale is true or not, evergreen trees became part of Christian rites in Germany, and in the Middle Ages “paradise trees” began to appear there. Meant to represent the Garden of Eden, these evergreen trees were hung with apples and displayed in homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve.
Although it is a Christian festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Germans with no particular religious beliefs also celebrate Christmas. Last year, 81 percent of the people living in Germany celebrated Christmas. Celebrating this festival is an important family tradition.
In 1949, the Parliamentary Council decided, with just one vote against, that black, red and gold should be the colours of the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Cornflowers, a beautiful blue-violet bloom, is the national flower for Germany. Why? Most notably, it was chosen sometime in the 19th century due to its stunning color! History says that if you weren't married, you would wear this flower to let others know of your current marital status.
In remembrance of this holy story, many Germans display white chrysanthemums at Christmas to symbolise their own willingness to shelter Christ. Today, white chrysanthemums are more commonly linked with death, making them a popular funeral flower, but this tale links them with birth, blessedness and gratitude.
The Christmas tree has found its place into German homes at the end of 18th century. In 2019 29,8 million of Christmas trees were sold in the country. Germans love the mulled wine – each year they drink 50 million liters of it. Several tons of ginger bread cookies and printen are made every year in Germany.
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!").
The tradition of the Christmas tree finds its roots in Germany around 16th Century. The German Christmas tree, known as Tannenbaum or Weihnachtsbaum, was recorded to be used as a central décor of Christmas by the southern Germans.
What kind of decorations does Germany use for Christmas?
Rather, Germans decorate their living room with wooden decorations like the Weihnachtspyramide (a wooden pyramid / windmill powered by the heat of candles), or dried fruit people (Zwetschgenmännla), dressed in scraps of fabric. The nativity scene (Weihnachtskrippe) is also popular among more religious families.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition—as we now know it—by the 16th century when sources record devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.
While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell.
According to historical records, Santa is real. Santa is real in the sense that he was an actual person. Otherwise known as Saint Nicholas, his story goes all the way back to the 3rd century. He was a monk who was born in 280 A.D. in modern-day Turkey.
6 December is Saint Nicholas Day, better known as Nikolaus in Germany. While the day may not receive the full religious celebration it does in Southern Germany and other traditionally Catholic regions, children across Europe look forward to this day each year.
This way Santa in 2023 is around 1,752 years old. Hard to believe, but it makes sense when you remember the origin of Saint Nicholas, a monk from the 4th century.
Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.
