My Hellenic Holiday Tree
I briefly mentioned my new holiday tree idea in our Thanksgiving posts. I had an idea to make the holiday season festival and meaningful for myself. So, I present to you my Hellenic Holiday Tree.
The topper on the tree isn't Zeus, contrary to what oneandonlymatt may think. It is just Santa and I put it there because it is pretty and I like it. It is the blown glass ornaments that represent the 14 olympic gods. Some of the ornaments are placeholders - when I find something I like better I will replace them.
At the top you will find Hestia, first and last among the gods!
I especially like the red door on the cabin and the sleeping kitty outside.
Below her you will find Zeus. I searched all over for a lightening bolt but to no avail. I settled on a rainbow to represent Weather, but I may eventually change it.
Hera, however, is represented by this beautiful peacock ornament.
The ornaments in the middle are in no particular order. Here we have a very lovely Owl to represent Athena:
and a bottle of wine for Dionysos
(this was the ornament that launched the idea for me)
Then we have a double heart to represent Aphrodite
A stag represents Artemis
A musical note stands for Apollo
And for Hephaestos, we had some issues finding something appropriate. We settled on a christmasy horseshoe (for blacksmithing). I really like it though so I haven't decided if I will replace it over time
a soldier represents Ares. I had wanted a knight or a sword, but surprisingly they didn't have either.
The wheat for Demeter is one of my favorites as well:
Dolphins represent Poseidon
And another place marker is the Cow for Hermes. I purchased this in reference to the story of Hermes stealing the cows from Apollo, but I would love to find some other symbol to represent him.
And finally, a rooster to represent Hades as it was a sacred bird for him. Besides Hestia, Zeus and Hera, Hades is the only other ornament to receive a special placement - at the bottom.
If I ever found a blown glass pomegranate ornament I would get that to represent Persephone. Even though she isn't an Olympic God, she is my Matron so I would like to honor her on this tree. I would place it also at the bottom near her husband.
I realize that this wouldn't be a traditional Hellenic practice, but since I love a Secular Christmas, I thought it would be nice to bring some symbolism to it for myself.
We decorated the rest of the house this weekend too. We have a "regular" tree with all the fixings. We hung the stockings by the fire. We have a wreath on the door and some lights in the windows. I love me some christmas!
The topper on the tree isn't Zeus, contrary to what oneandonlymatt may think. It is just Santa and I put it there because it is pretty and I like it. It is the blown glass ornaments that represent the 14 olympic gods. Some of the ornaments are placeholders - when I find something I like better I will replace them.
At the top you will find Hestia, first and last among the gods!
I especially like the red door on the cabin and the sleeping kitty outside.
Below her you will find Zeus. I searched all over for a lightening bolt but to no avail. I settled on a rainbow to represent Weather, but I may eventually change it.
Hera, however, is represented by this beautiful peacock ornament.
The ornaments in the middle are in no particular order. Here we have a very lovely Owl to represent Athena:
and a bottle of wine for Dionysos
(this was the ornament that launched the idea for me)
Then we have a double heart to represent Aphrodite
A stag represents Artemis
A musical note stands for Apollo
And for Hephaestos, we had some issues finding something appropriate. We settled on a christmasy horseshoe (for blacksmithing). I really like it though so I haven't decided if I will replace it over time
a soldier represents Ares. I had wanted a knight or a sword, but surprisingly they didn't have either.
The wheat for Demeter is one of my favorites as well:
Dolphins represent Poseidon
And another place marker is the Cow for Hermes. I purchased this in reference to the story of Hermes stealing the cows from Apollo, but I would love to find some other symbol to represent him.
And finally, a rooster to represent Hades as it was a sacred bird for him. Besides Hestia, Zeus and Hera, Hades is the only other ornament to receive a special placement - at the bottom.
If I ever found a blown glass pomegranate ornament I would get that to represent Persephone. Even though she isn't an Olympic God, she is my Matron so I would like to honor her on this tree. I would place it also at the bottom near her husband.
I realize that this wouldn't be a traditional Hellenic practice, but since I love a Secular Christmas, I thought it would be nice to bring some symbolism to it for myself.
We decorated the rest of the house this weekend too. We have a "regular" tree with all the fixings. We hung the stockings by the fire. We have a wreath on the door and some lights in the windows. I love me some christmas!