O Tannenbaum, O Christmas Tree, a photo from Sofia City, West

Photographer's Note

Everybody knows the song. It's German, but obviously Germans are not egoists and generously have given it to all of us.

Thousands or years ago, there were people who believed that evergreen trees were magical. Even in winter, when all the other trees and greenery were brown and bare, the evergreen stayed strong and green. People saw the evergreen as a symbol of life and as a sure sign that sunshine and spring would soon return. In ancient Rome, people decorated their homes and their temples with greenery during a special December feast. It was a happy time. No battles could be fought, the schools were closed, and people everywhere joined in the carnival-like atmosphere and gave each other presents.

So when did the Christmas tree go indoors? Legend has it that the tradition was begun by Martin Luther in Germany. He was a monk and church reformer who lived from 1483 to 1546. According to the legend, Luther was returning home one wintry night when he saw the stars twinkling in the sky through the tree branches. Luther was amazed by the sight, and when he arrived home, he was eager to tell his family about it. To help them understand, he went to the woods and cut down a small fir tree. Luther brought it indoors and decorated it with candles, which represented the stars he had seen...

I myself prefer it the way Luther was impressed by it - growing wild in the wood - with a just a bench added for a rest underneath...

Mеrry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you, dear TE friends!

dmarizz, Buin, valari, parbo, sadeik, iantcho, Vadim, pranab, Yar, adores, xuaxo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

anesugur (18757) 2006-12-23 14:48

Hi Anton,
Very well composed picture.
Wonderful winter atmosphere.
Thanks for sharing. Uğur

dmarizz (2796) 2006-12-23 15:29

Hi Anton,
a very well chosen POV with that yellow bench that represents the "plus" of the entire composition. Very very interesting note. TFS, Dario

PS Merry Christmas to you too.

Buin (42084) 2006-12-23 15:38

Hallo Anton!
Thank you for publishing our very old Christmas song even more.
You show us a very Christmassy picture here and I become a bit envious, because snow here: negative report!
Like Luther I've got a Tannenbaum in my sitting room ;-) - I like the flavour of it very much! I'll send you an email!
Merry Christmas!
Frank

tamtidelam (105) 2006-12-23 16:08

Enfin un lieu ou le recueillement se fait vraiment dans la paix et l'harmonie!

Belle photo ou on sens la nature tellement plus grande que l'homme.

Joyeux Noël Anton!

Dany

Dany

valari (13) 2006-12-23 16:37

Merry Christmas,Toni!May Santa bring us more than empty promises:)

all the best,val

parbo (11092) 2006-12-23 16:47

Hello Anton,

Meaningful notes and your snowy frame are very nice. I liked especially yellow bank at front of huge, snowy pine trees. Congratulations.

I would like to wish you and your family a joyful and peaceful holiday season, and a prosperous New Year.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

izmirli (3864) 2006-12-23 16:55

merhaba dear anton
very good winter picture.beautiful snow and forest.well done komşu.
happy new year my friend.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

sadeik (3264) 2006-12-23 17:09

Great note, in the UK the victorians brought it over from germany.
Always wondered why they put a seat under a tree so that eventually it can fall on you!
On that note Happy Xmas and more importantly HAPPY NEW YEAR and live long

Simon

pablominto (53744) 2006-12-24 2:37

Hello Anton,
I'm amazed to see you managed to find snow for your Christmas image!
It is a lovely Christmas image, with a good atmosphere...
A Merry Christmas to you and your dear ones, my friend!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Vadim (237) 2006-12-24 12:26

Привет, Антон!
Вот, и до зимы добрались... Прекрасная композиция, выигрышная POV. А сиротливо стоящая скамейка (единственное цветное пятно) напоминает о лете... Красиво.

Vadim.

pranab (5354) 2006-12-25 1:44

anton,
a great merry christmas to you and your family too.
nice christmas note and composition.

pady (4800) 2006-12-25 8:02

Hi Anton,
Great to see some snow for Christmas. Here it's not a snow weather.
Well composed.
Have a nice Christmas day and a prosperous new year.
Cheers
Pierre-André

Yar (793) 2006-12-25 16:00

здравствуйте, композиция отличная, зима, елки и скамейка)))
нравится очень;
у Вас хоть снег приличный, у нас же пока туман, хотя погода вроде тоже зимней уже становится.

ц наступающими...

adores (28210) 2006-12-27 10:55

Hi Anton!
Great photo for this season! I really like the snow falling, a really winter photo (we don't have much snow here).
Well done!
regards, Anabela

xuaxo (6830) 2006-12-27 12:27

Hello Anton
That's interesting how the yellow bench gives colour to this photo; without the bench the photo could be almost black and white.
Честита Нова година! Feliz Ano Novo!
Francisco

cuneyt-sb (6559) 2007-01-04 6:51

Hi Anton
Very good captured snow ,
I feld lonliness in this scene
Well done
Regards

Janice (4402) 2007-01-05 1:13

Hi Anton, yes I like the Luther story too. Your pic looks really nice, especially with the bench underneath the tree - could be a bit damp though!
TFS
Janice