The Christmas tree is a mandala, a bundle of symbols showing
what creation has to offer: light and the movement of angels,
the gifts of orchard and field, forest and sea,
all topped off by the star that pointed to the end of the journey,
the place of peace.
During mysteries, including one about Paradise, were very popular.
A tree decorated with red apples symbolized the tree of Paradise.
During the XVth century, the faithful began to put up trees
in their own houses on December 24, the feast day of Adam and Eve.
 

However, the first Christmas tree as we know it,
but without lights still, appeared in Alsace in 1521.
It was introduced in France by the Princess Hélène de Mecklembourg
who brought one to Paris in 1837 after her marriage
to the Duke of Orleans.
In the XVIIIth century, the custom of decorating a Christmas tree
was well established in Germany, France and Austria.
 

In 1841, Prince Albert (originally from Germany),
husband of Queen Victoria, set up a Christmas tree at
Windsor Castle in England.From the royal court,
the custom of Christmas trees spread quickly
to the middle class and then to working people.
For Victorians, a good Christmas tree had to be
six branches tall and be placed on a table covered
with a white damask tablecloth.
It was decorated with garlands, candies and paper flowers.
 

The Christmas tree was introduced to Canada
around the end of the XVIIIth century even before
it became a common practice in England.
The various ornaments with which it was decorated
were first made at home before being commercially produced.
In the middle of the XVIIth century,
Christmas trees were illuminated with little candles.
These were replaced at the beginning of the XXth century
by electric bulbs.
Other variations like outdoor and artificial Christmas trees
as appeared around the beginning of the XXth century.