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The holiday wreath is one of the most popular decorations during December according to Wikipedia. Wreaths are traditionally hung on front doors as a sign of welcome, used in Advent Wreaths in Christian traditions, strung from lampposts in cities, and used in a variety of other different ways. Holiday wreaths have certainly become an important part of modern December holiday traditions, but they actually have a long history of symbolism spanning many different cultures. Here’s some background on the various symbolisms of the wreath and the ways those meanings translate to our modern cultural tableau.
The wreath has been used symbolically for centuries. Pre-Christian, or Pagan, cultures placed much importance on the December celebration of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. For them, this was a time of death and rebirth, a celebration of the end of the ever shortening days and the anticipation of the coming promise of spring. As part of many celebrations, evergreen wreaths were gathered as a sign of the approaching spring light. In Sweden, wreaths were fashioned for similar purposes, with the addition of candles that symbolized the power of the sun. Perhaps the loveliest use of this symbol is the Advent wreath. Although its true origin is not know, some believe it was inspired by the Swedish Crown of Lights, a candle-bearing crown worn by young Swedish girls on St. Lucia's Day. St. Lucia was a young Christian martyr who gave her entire dowry to the poor
The wreath likewise has a storied history in ancient times. In the Persian Empire, wreaths were believed to be a symbol of importance and success, and were worn as headbands. Ancient Greeks placed wreaths of laurel on the heads of victorious athletes in their Olympic Games. Wreaths were worn similarly as crowns by Roman leaders and were also hung on doorways as a sign of victory. The use of evergreens for Christmas wreaths and other decorations probably arose in northern Europe, Italy and Spain in the early 19th century. The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red. Green represents the continuance of life through the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life. Red symbolizes the blood that was shed at the crucifixion. But for most of the 20th century, the word "wreath" conjured up visions of rings of evergreens with red ribbons hung on doors at Christmas. The traditional Christmas wreath is hung anytime from right after Thanksgiving to mid-December and left hanging through the winter months.
The wreath has come to convey its own set of meanings in modern times. Across time, the circle or ring shape of a wreath that has no beginning and no end symbolizes eternity or eternal rebirth. Pre-Christian cultures' interpretation of the power of evergreens to battle the forces of winter has evolved into a modern representation of eternal life. The vast array of materials that are used to create a modern wreath carry significance as well. Holly represents immortality, for instance, whereas cedar stands for strength. But for many, the wreath’s symbolic attributes are much simpler than all this. The Christmas wreath has evolved into a sign of welcoming and an acknowledgment of holiday cheer for this season that emphasizes generosity, giving, and the gathering of loved ones. Today, wreaths are a common custom in New England, with a different wreath for each season.