Check out some facts about Polish Tradition of Decorating the Christmas Tree. Have you ever wondered what is the history of the Christmas tree in Poland? Where such a tradition came from and what it means?

Polish Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree – A decorated tree of spruce or fir (less often pine), natural or artificial, originally associated with pre-Christian folk traditions and the cult of the evergreen tree, and now the primary decoration at Christmas. The first Christmas tree decorations appeared in noble and bourgeois homes only in the 19th century. Over time, peasants took up the custom and quickly spread it. Trips to the forest for young spruce trees became a tradition. In many cultures, the tree, especially conifers, is considered a symbol of life and rebirth, duration and fertility. As a Christmas tree, it appeared in the 16th century, but it probably already appeared as a paradisiacal “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” in the mysteries about Adam and Eve, staged on Christmas Eve

Polish Christmas Tree Tradition

What might Christmas trees have looked like in pre-war Poland? Below you will find Polish archival books and publications that show us how the ways of decorating Christmas trees in Poland have changed over the years.

Christmas tree as witchcraft and magical ritual

Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year round had a special meaning for people. In many countries it was believed that plants that were green during winter protected against evil witches, spirits and diseases. Just as people today decorate their homes during the holiday season with firs, pines and spruces, people once hung evergreen branches near windows and doors.

The Misconception of Witchcraft

Some people believe that tree decorating is associated with witchcraft and the occult. There is no evidence to support the idea that decorating a tree has any connection to magic or the supernatural. In reality, tree decorating is simply a way of expressing creativity, spreading joy, and bringing people together. Whether it’s a family gathering to decorate the tree, or a group of friends working together to create a beautiful display, the act of decorating a tree is a communal and wholesome activity.