The darkness and the fir: the place of the fir tree in Alsace

The fir tree, crossing the winter darkness is a sign of the divine presence on Earth

The fir is a tree of life in Alsace. The relationship between the fir tree and Alsace is unique. It was built over time, due to geography and history.

Fir forests cover the Alsatian Vosges. They have always formed a thick and mysterious forest that created the backdrop of Celtic and German myths and legends. With the intensification of forestry, there are also pine plains. It is a very common tree that lives together with other species, many in the region.

The Celts who occupied the region 2,500 years ago vowed to the fir tree a cult. Like all Neolithic  and agricultural societies cults, the sun and the light have a central place. Among the Celts, the fir tree that passes through the darkness of winter without losing its needles is the hope of the victory of light over darkness, of life over death.

It is a symbol of life, and also fertility. Thus, further East, in Germany, infertile women were flogged with pine branches to conjure sterility.

In Celtic astrology, the fir tree is supposed to be the "mysterious". This term is to be understood cautiously: the "mystery" is a Greek concept (which means : what is hidden, secret religious ceremony). What I understand is that the fir tree could be a link between the earthly and the divine, a crossing of the night, a sign on earth of divine presence.

The symbolism of the fir tree has survived the centuries and religions. It is expressed today through the Christmas tree, a tradition born in Alsace in the twelfth century.

In the sixteenth century in Alsace, the Christmas tree became the media of religious message : it is decorated with roses (symbol of the Virgin), apples, sweets, cakes, and the star of Bethlehem at the top. The Provence has its santons, Alsace has its Christmas tree.

I do not know if, in the Middle Age, the guesthouses decorated a Christmas tree for their guests who travelled all over the multiple Alsace routes. In any case, for our guests of our charming bed & breakfast, we will install a huge Christmas tree on our terrace.