The traditional red and green colors of
Christmas have a long and rich history rooted in both paganism and
Christianity. To celebrate Saturn, the god of agriculture, Romans set aside the
days from December 17 to December 25 as special holidays. Exchanging greenery
such as holly and ivy was a way to wish one another long life, peace and good
luck. Early Christians chose to stamp this tradition with a more spiritual
emphasis. They renamed it Christmas as a mass for Christ, and red became the
sacred color associated with His sacrificial life and death.
Throughout the years, green, the color that
represents life, nature, peace, eternity and the hope of the future, has been
important, especially to families trying to survive the harsh conditions that
winter brings. this color is a reminder that the earth may appear asleep, but
spring and reawakening are just a few short months away.
While red is an important symbol of
Christ's birth and death, it also reminds the world to celebrate His selfless
love and sacrifice.
Although trends are slowly changing, red
and green remain the most universally accepted colors of Christmas, but they
are not alone. Gold, silver, white and blue also have a place at many
festivities. Gold is symbolic of the one of the gifts brought by the magi to
the Christ child and of the star that led them from the East. It is a warm and rich
color and you can find it in every crackling fireplace and flickering candle
light.
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