A SYMBOL is an object which could be three-dimensional or otherwise which encapsulates a story or a concept or concepts.  Symbols are used to communicate meaning in an easily understood form, and crosses the barrier of linguistic differences.
The Christmas Festival, in its progression over two thousand years through different cultures and languages, has accumulated within itself a large number of symbols.  In this offering, we will mention a number of the most common Christmas symbols which are known or used in Guyana.
Very often we see “Christmas” written as “Xmas”, but is yet pronounced as ‘Christmas’.  This symbol of writing “Christmas” as “Xmas” is one of the oldest Christmas symbols. “X”, in the Greek alphabet, is pronounced “chi”, and was used by the early Christians who were being persecuted as a code for “Christ”; thus the usage of “X-mas” as a symbol for “Christ-mas”.
Another ubiquitous symbol of Christmas is Santa Claus or Father Christmas.  Santa Claus is depicted as a kindly and jolly old man clothed completely in red, wearing Medieval-style long boots.

Santa loves children and brings them gifts on Christmas Eve when they are asleep.  Santa Claus is a symbol for St. Nicholas, a Bishop who lived in the 4th Century in Asia Minor, and who was legendary for his practice of the highest Christian spiritual, moral and ethical values.  He loved the poor and those in suffering, and in particular children to whom he showed great loving kindness.  Over the centuries, St. Nicholas was depicted in many ways, but the tradition of always being clothed in red persisted, since his Bishop’s vestments were red.  His present depiction as Santa Claus dates from about the 17th Century.

The Christmas Stocking and Santa’s carriage overflowing with gifts for children are two symbols which are sometimes used for Christmas itself.  On Christmas Eve, when children are asleep, Santa visits and fills the stockings which they would have hung up.  Santa flies through the night sky on his carriage drawn by his six reindeer, and leaves gifts in the living room or under Christmas Trees.  St. Nicholas was believed to be able to fly, so Santa’s ability to fly is derived from that tradition.  The Christmas Stocking and Father Christmas’ carriage symbolise universal love and protection of children.

There are a number of botanical symbols associated with Christmas, and most of these were derived from the pre-Christian religions of northern Europe.  These include the Pine and Fir trees, and the Holly, Mistletoe and Ivy. The Yule Log is taken from any of the large evergreens of the temperate zone.  Branches of the Pine or Fir trees are used to make Christmas Trees in the home, or in public spaces in cities.  The Yule Log was either a long log which was burnt in fireplaces in homes over a long period, or short log pieces which were decorated and then burnt.  The Yule Log is one of the most auspicious Christmas symbols, as it signifies prosperity, protection and health and divine blessings throughout the year.  Its importance is shown by the fact that Christmas is often called Yule.

The holly and mistletoe were dark green, and they stood out against the white snow.  They were symbols of God’s love and the love of human beings for each other, and signified love which would last forever.  The Pine and Fir were endowed with divine properties, and were often regarded as symbolising the Gods themselves and worshipped.  The Christmas Tree symbolised peace, prosperity, protection, plenty and good health throughout the year.   The one botanical Christmas symbol which is derived from the Caribbean is the Poinsettia, a large deep-red leafy flower on branches of floppy green leaves.  The flower was discovered by the French Caribbean explorer, De Poincey in the 17th Century, and was named after him.  Some Americans claim that the flower was named after Poinsette, an American who visited Mexico in the 19th Century, and brought the flower to the United States.  The flower is widely used in Christmas decorations, and exudes a sense of freshness and joy.

The Guyanese Christmas Tree is usually decorated with the main Christmas symbols, and, as such, we will envisage the Tree when dealing with the other Christmas symbols.  This will also help to make the Christmas Tree more meaningful.
At the apex of the Tree is usually the Star of Bethlehem, which symbolises the star which guided the Magi, or Wise Men of the East, to the place of Jesus’ birth, so they could worship the new incarnation, or Avatar, of God.  In the hands of the Magi were three boxes containing gold, frankincense and myrrh, which were gifts for the Baby Jesus.  These gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh symbolised the life, work and death of Jesus.

On the Tree are usually hung golden balls.  In ancient Anatolia, there was a young woman, who could not be married since she had no dowry.  St. Nicholas placed some golden balls in her home, which she used for her dowry, and became happily married.  The golden balls symbolised that event and St Nicholas’ Christian loving kindness.
Together with the golden balls are balls of green, red and blue, signifying the four colours of Christmas.  These colours are also used in the fairy lights which decorate the Tree. Gold symbolises God, the Sun, Light and Enlightenment; Green symbolises Peace, Prosperity, Good health; Red symbolises the blood of Jesus, who allowed himself to be crucified for the Salvation of Mankind. Blue is associated with the Virgin Mary, and recalls the miraculous birth of Jesus.

Silver Bells symbolise the welcoming of the birth of Jesus.  In Medieval times, the churches, at midnight on Christmas Eve, would have their largest bells pealing to welcome the birth of the Lord, and the silver bells reminisce that event.
The Candy Cane is usually made of peppermint, and is white signifying purity of the Lord, with its red spiral signifying the blood of Jesus.  It is shaped like a shepherd’s crook, symbolising Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  When the crook is turned downwards, it becomes the letter “J”, signifying Jesus.