DECORING A CHRISTMAS TREE

DECORING A CHRISTMAS TREE

“Decorating a pine tree is a completely Turkish tradition.” This custom passed from Turks to Europe.

“A tree from the navel of the earth to the sky was envisioned by the ancient Turks and it was called the Tree of Life. This was also the case with the Sumerians.

At one end stood the Sky God.

Still, on the solstice of December 22 in Central Asia, they bring a Maple Tree to their home and put ribbons on its branches for the things they pray to God for the next year, the things they want as a vow.

This tree decoration in Turks has nothing to do with Christmas in Christianity.

This custom later passed to Europe through the Turks, started in Germany in the 16th century and spread from there to the world.

As a geographical phenomenon, on the night of 21/22 December, the days start to get longer and the nights shorter.

According to the beliefs of the ancient Turks, the Sun defeated the DARKNESS on the night of December 21/22 and this day was called “NARDUGAN”.

Pomegranate=Sun,

Dugan, Tugan = Dogan

Nardugan means Rising Sun.

In Nardugan, the Turks were placing gifts under an Akçam representing the Tree of Life (Eternal Life), so that their prayers would go to God, and they were singing songs and playing games around the tree.

The elders were visited and they ate together.

This tradition is still kept alive by Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvashs and Karachay-Balkars.

The “Tree of Life” (Eternal Life) motif stands out even though it differs in the Hittite, Urartian and later Seljuks and Ottomans.

The “Tree of Life” motif is also frequently seen in carpet and rug patterns.

Decorating trees in Nardugan is the main motif of old Turkish rugs.

Source : Dr. Muazzez İlmiye ÇIĞ