Pagan holiday decorations refer to the traditional and often nature-inspired items used to decorate homes and spaces during pagan holidays and celebrations. These decorations are significant as they hold deep symbolism and meaning for the pagans who practice and follow these ancient traditions. Paganism is a broad term that encompasses various belief systems often centered around nature worship, polytheism, and the cycles of the seasons. Pagan holidays are based on solstices, equinoxes, and other natural events, with each marking a significant time in the calendar. One of the most well-known pagan holidays is Yule, which is celebrated during the winter solstice, usually around December 21st. Yule marks the longest night of the year and the return of the sun.
See our article Celebrate Yule For Pagan Families for some step-by-step guidelines.
Early Germanic tribes practiced a similar tree decorating tradition, this time with fruits and candles to honour the god Odin throughout winter solstice. No wassailing group was complete without their traditional drink on hand made from mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, spices, and sugar.
Yule marks the longest night of the year and the return of the sun. To decorate their homes for Yule, pagans often use evergreen branches, wreaths, and garlands. Evergreens are significant as they represent the promise of life even in the darkest and coldest of times.
Decking the Halls of History: The Pagan Origins of Christmas Decorations
The idea of hanging up decorations in the middle of winter is older than Christmas itself. Decorations are mentioned in ancient descriptions of the Roman feast of Saturnalia, which is thought to have originated in the 5th century BC.
Some 900 years later, a Christian bishop in Turkey wrote disapprovingly about members of his congregation who were drinking, feasting, dancing and “crowning their doors” with decorations in a pagan fashion at this time of year.
The 6th-century Pope Gregory the Great took a different line. The Venerable Bede, an English monk, records that English pagans had celebrated the start of their year at the winter solstice and called it “the night of the mothers”.
Gregory recommended that these celebrations should be reinvented rather than banned. So the construction of green boughs and natural adornments was instead focused on churches – using plants that have retained their festive significance to this day.
Nature, of course, has a role to play. In countries like the UK, midwinter greenery is limited. The leaves that are available – holly, ivy and mistletoe – became obvious choices for decorations. Mistletoe had long been revered by druids, while holly and ivy were celebrated in English songs at least from the 15th century.
Holly, ivy and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years as decorative greenery during festivities. Credit: alterimago / Adobe Stock
King Henry VIII composed one which begins: “Green groweth the holly, So doth the ivy, Though winter blasts blow never so high, Green groweth the holly.” (I have modernised the spelling, but it was never very catchy.)
Greenery was cheap and perhaps for that reason is not mentioned in descriptions of domestic decorations from medieval Europe. Aristocratic households preferred to display their wealth by bringing out their best tapestries, jewels and gold platters.
Wax candles were another form of conspicuous consumption, as well as a nod to religious significance. But descriptions of Christmas festivities well into the 17th century focus on the decoration of the person rather than the house. Strange costumes, masks, role-reversing clothes and face-painting are all repeatedly mentioned.
- Saturnalia: The December Festival of Joy and Merriment in Ancient Rome
- Ancient Origins of Favorite Christmas Traditions PLUS Those You May Never Have Heard About
- Mistletoe, Holly, and Yuletide Cheer: Weaving Natural Elements into Ancient Christmas Customs
Christmas masks from Romania. Credit: salajean / Adobe Stock
Early emphasis on domestic decorations does appear in a Christmas song by the English poet and farmer Thomas Tusser , written in 1558. It opens: “Get ivy and hull [holly] woman, deck up thine house.” Clearly, the decoration of family homes was considered to be work for women – and this too has become a persistent tradition.
In the following century, Christmas celebrations became a matter of heated argument between reformers and traditionalists, with the reformers attacking what they saw as pagan revelries.
Imbolc is another pagan holiday celebrated on February 2nd and is associated with the early signs of spring. Decorations for Imbolc often include candles, as they represent the return of the light and warmth. Some pagans also incorporate flowers and fresh greenery to symbolize the new life emerging from the earth. During Beltane, celebrated around May 1st, pagans decorate their homes and outdoor spaces with flowers, ribbons, and Maypoles. Beltane is a fertility festival, and these decorations represent the abundance and growth of the earth during the spring season. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, is celebrated around June 21st. For Litha, pagans decorate their spaces with sun symbols, such as sunflowers and sunbursts, to honor the power of the sun and the height of the summer season. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, is often associated with Halloween and is a time when pagans honor their ancestors and the cycle of life and death. Decorations for Samhain include pumpkins, gourds, and other seasonal produce, as well as items like skulls and bones to symbolize the presence of spirits. Overall, pagan holiday decorations reflect the deep connection pagans have with nature and the cycles of life. These decorations serve not only as aesthetic additions but also as reminders of the ancient traditions and beliefs that inspire pagans to celebrate and honor nature's rhythms..
Reviews for "The Power of Crystals: Incorporating Pagan Holiday Decorations into Your Home"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the pagan holiday decorations I purchased. The quality was subpar, with cheap materials that easily broke. The designs were also not as advertised with poorly painted details that looked sloppy and unprofessional. I was hoping for unique and beautiful decor, but what I received was nothing more than a waste of money. I do not recommend these decorations to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was excited to add some pagan holiday decorations to my home, but unfortunately, these decorations fell short of my expectations. The colors were dull and faded, and the overall design was unimpressive. Additionally, the shipping took longer than anticipated, and when the package finally arrived, some of the items were damaged. I was hoping for a more enjoyable holiday decorating experience, but these decorations just didn't deliver.
3. Emma - 3 out of 5 stars - While the pagan holiday decorations I purchased were not terrible overall, they were certainly not worth the price. The quality was average at best, with some decorations feeling flimsy and fragile. The designs were also generic and lacked the uniqueness I was expecting. If you're looking for affordable decorations and don't mind compromising on quality and originality, then these might be suitable. Otherwise, it's probably best to explore other options.