Of course, without the festive decorations like Christmas Trees for the Westerns and Parols (an ornamental, star-shaped Christmas lantern) for the Filipinos, we won't be feeling the atmosphere of Christmas. So, in this article, we are gonna talk about Christmas Trees and Parols. 🙌
Christmas Tree (Western Culture)
Who can forget about this tree? When it comes to decorations for Christmas, we immediately go for Christmas Trees. We can decorate it in accordance to our liking; put multiple lights on it, star on top of it, ribbons with varying colors like red, gold, and white, big/small Christmas balls, little candy canes, tinsel, etc..
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-American sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
In our house, we don't have it since our ceiling is not that high and there is not enough space for it. But we did had one which was handmade and small that it was standing ontop of one of our cabinets, still, it was so cute.
Parol (Philippines)
Fresh pine trees are too expensive for many Filipinos, so handmade trees in an array of colors and sizes are often used. Star lanterns, or parol, appear everywhere in December. They are made from bamboo sticks, covered with brightly colored rice paper or cellophane, and usually feature a tassel on each point. There is usually one in every window, each representing the Star of Bethlehem.
Parols are as important to Filipinos as the Christmas Tree to Western Culture.The earliest parols were traditionally made from simple materials like bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper, crepe paper, and a candle or coconut oil-lamp for illumination; although the present day parol can take many different shapes and forms. Around Manila, parols made of Capiz shell or plastic illuminate the city. One of the most spectacular innovations can be found in the city of San Fernando where 20 foot tall parols with kaleidoscopic blinking lights are paraded through the streets on truck beds. Whatever the material or shape, the parol is a recognizable symbol to all Filipinos and represents the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of the newly-born Jesus Christ.
Its annual debut on houses and streets is usually in September along with other Christmas symbols, signaling the coming of the season. These lanterns remain until January, traditionally removed after Epiphany, to honor the Three Kings and their visit to the infant Jesus.
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Disclaimer: Most information gathered are from the Internet.
Who can forget about this tree? When it comes to decorations for Christmas, we immediately go for Christmas Trees. We can decorate it in accordance to our liking; put multiple lights on it, star on top of it, ribbons with varying colors like red, gold, and white, big/small Christmas balls, little candy canes, tinsel, etc..
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-American sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
In our house, we don't have it since our ceiling is not that high and there is not enough space for it. But we did had one which was handmade and small that it was standing ontop of one of our cabinets, still, it was so cute.
Fresh pine trees are too expensive for many Filipinos, so handmade trees in an array of colors and sizes are often used. Star lanterns, or parol, appear everywhere in December. They are made from bamboo sticks, covered with brightly colored rice paper or cellophane, and usually feature a tassel on each point. There is usually one in every window, each representing the Star of Bethlehem.
Parols are as important to Filipinos as the Christmas Tree to Western Culture.The earliest parols were traditionally made from simple materials like bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper, crepe paper, and a candle or coconut oil-lamp for illumination; although the present day parol can take many different shapes and forms. Around Manila, parols made of Capiz shell or plastic illuminate the city. One of the most spectacular innovations can be found in the city of San Fernando where 20 foot tall parols with kaleidoscopic blinking lights are paraded through the streets on truck beds. Whatever the material or shape, the parol is a recognizable symbol to all Filipinos and represents the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of the newly-born Jesus Christ.
Its annual debut on houses and streets is usually in September along with other Christmas symbols, signaling the coming of the season. These lanterns remain until January, traditionally removed after Epiphany, to honor the Three Kings and their visit to the infant Jesus.
When I was in Elementary, the school has this competition or contest where we are to make a parol made out of recylcled materials and whoever has the most beautiful one and most recycled materials used will win which is a very good deal. It became hard for the judges since the parols where beautifully crafted and you can see how much effort the student gave for making it. Though the parol that didn't made it, were still hung on the doors of each classrooms while the 5 picked out were hung in front of the school gates.
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Regardless of difference in Christmas symbols, we still celebrate Christmas as a whole.
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Disclaimer: Most information gathered are from the Internet.
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