Upside Down Christmas Trees Not Only a Modern Trend, But an 8th Century Tradition

Forget about being under the miseltoe this holiday season, when you can get right under the tree. As conversation pieces for the holidays in Vancouver this year, inverted Christmas trees top the charts. Millenials in Vancouver are gathering under them, lattes in hand in trendy garden centres and hotels everywhere and celebrating the inverted. This tree is in the lobby of The Vancouver Fairmont Airport Hotel in Richmond, BC.

But the upside-down tradition is far from new. Legend has it that St Boniface who turned Pagans into Christians in Germany and The Netherlands in the 8th Century hung a fir tree upside-down as the triangular shape represented the Holy Trinity. The tradition was still observed around a hundred years ago at Christmas in many Slavic homes.

The lovely evergreen with its branches pointing to heaven was thought to be a holy tree representing eternal life brought to earth by the Christ child.

Space Saver

In Vancouver's overpriced real estate market, a 450 square foot studio in a 20 year old building in Yaletown can be purchased for a mere $499,000.00. But where will you put the tree? Suspending it from the ceiling is the perfect option.

Pet Friendly/ Child Friendly

It is also practical for pet lovers or parents with small children, who won't have to worry about having the tree knocked over, and broken glass bulbs injuring anyone.

Well, if nothing else, it’s a new perspective on the traditional tree on the floor, and a fun exercise for those athletic types who love to climb ladders and drill holes in their ceilings for brackets.

It all comes down to choice. Do you like your tree over easy? As for me, I have an old fashioned stand up tree.
Regardless, I hope your holidays are happy!

Photos - rew Yaletown, /cbc news,
Stand up Tree photo - my own.