6p
Christmas Tree - Singles (50,000)
17p
Christmas Tree - Singles (50,000)
21p
Christmas Tree - Singles (50,000)
22p
Christmas Tree - Singles (50,000)
Designers: Alfonso V. Divina, Victorino Z. Serevo
First Day Covers: Manila
CHRISTMAS 2004
CHRISTMAS TREE - The major
decorative object in the celebration of Christmas in the western
world is the Christmas tree, an evergreen, usually a Douglas fir or
a balsam fir. The symbolic use of evergreens has its roots in
ancient times especially in the Egyptian, Hebrew and Chinese
cultures, in which it signified eternal life.
During the Middle
Ages, when Christianity became widespread in Europe, the pagan
custom of tree worship nevertheless lived on, especially in northern Edrope. In Germany, a tree with apples hung on it was called a
paradise tree and was employed as a Garden of Eden symbol. Germans
came to'set up aparadise tree in their homes around Christmastime
and decorated it with wafers (emblematic of the Eucharist), and
later cookies, candles, and other forms of decoration.
By the 18th
century, the custom was common in Germany, and in fact German
settlers has introduced the practice into North America as early as
the 17th century. The tradition was brought to England in the early
19th century. The tree's use as the decorative focal point of
Christmas celebration has not waned. Electric lights, candy canes,
shiny ornaments, religious symbols and other objects are hung on the
trees annually, and this decorating activity has spread to the
lawns, trees, shrubs, and building exteriors of many suburban homes.
Cities and towns often display large, spectacularly decorated trees
and make the lighting of the tree a ceremony, as the Rockefeller
Center in New York City.