Why Are Red And Green Christmas Colors?

Does Christmas-time have you seeing RED? And some GREEN too! There are many good reasons that red and green are Christmas colors and are associated with the holidays. Now, let me tell you why?

It Started With Red and Green Holly

Whenever we think of decorating for Christmas the plants, we think of are in the colors red and green. So often, we are greeted at the front door with a great smelling pine wreath dotted with sprigs of holly with its bright red berries and a bright red bow.

It turns out that this tradition began long ago. And was not associated with Christmas but the winter solstice. Long ago, in western Europe, the ancient Celtic people would bring the holly plants inside their homes for cheer and good fortune during the celebration of the solstice and brighten the days of the dark, cold winter. Because the plant could survive the harsh landscape and stand out against the snow, it was believed to bring prosperity to the coming new year.

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Today, first and foremost, Christmas is the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus. And so the question is, how are the colors of red and green part of the celebration? For many Christians, the spikey holly leaves represent the thorn of crowns that encircled his head while on the cross and the ripe red berries the blood of Jesus.

Modern Day Red & Green

Now for a childlike look at Christmas wonder, we need to discuss, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Saint Nick, Santa Claus or simply put Santa. And we must include Coca Cola!

Here in western culture, Santa is a wonderful, jolly character based on historical and fictional characters from Europe. He travels the world to deliver gifts to good little boys and girls on Christmas Eve. But, the naughty ones receive a stocking full of coal.

Our modern Santa Claus is based on the historical figures of Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century bishop), Father Christmas from England, Sinterklass (also based on Saint Nicholas). In the time of these figures, the clergy was known to wear red robes.

Urban Legend

As we enter into the age of advertising, images of Santa Claus began to appear everywhere!

One popular urban legend is that Santa Claus dresses in red and white because they are the colors of Coca-Cola. Artist, Haddon Sundblom created a popular image of Santa for Coca-Cola in the 1930s. But other companies have also been using his image since the early 20th century.

Merry Christmas

In conclusion, it is safe to say that we all have a wee bit of childhood Christmas delight in our minds and hearts. So, whenever we think of the Christmas holiday, we picture a jolly Santa all dressed in red placing gifts under the green pine tree which is decorated with ornaments of red and green.

Merry Christmas!

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