Dress a Tree Matters

The first week of December comes to celebrate Tree Dressing Day. It is commonly reported that Tree Dressing Day was initiated by Common Ground, an environmental charity organization based in Dorset, England.
Since 1990, Tree Dressing Day has become much more than a plant-loving expression. It is the day for the communities to celebrate the significance of trees in their unique culture and history.

Tanzaku and Trees

Besides the most common decorating of Christmas trees, many communities have expressed their culture and spiritual significance by “dressing up” trees. Japan’s Star Festival (“Tanabata”) is equivalent to “Valentine’s Day throughout many Westernized countries. People write a wish on a color-trip paper (“Tanzaku”) and hang it on a tree or bamboo.

Clootie Trees

“Clootie” in Scottish means cloth or rag. In old Celtic culture, many pilgrimages would go to Clootie Well during Saints’ feast days. It is a holy well or a spring, always with a tree growing beside it. People dip clothes in the sacred well and tie them to trees as part of a healing ritual. The trees next to the well are called clootie trees or rag bushes.

Red Ribbon and Wishing Trees

Red is Chinese people’s favorite. Red symbolizes luck, joy, and happiness. The red string also represents good fortune and auspiciousness. Many people tie a red string or ribbon on the tree during the lunar new year to wish good luck and prosperity.

Colorful Ribbons and Bohdi Trees

Buddhists also have a tradition of tying the ribbons around the Bodhi tree in homage to Buddha. When people tie the colorful string onto trees, it means calling the power of nature to protect loved ones.

Yarn Bombing and Trees

“Yarn Bombing” is another way to dress up trees in many parts of Europe and northern America. The practice is believed to be associated with the Knit Graffiti movement, which started in 2005 in Texas. Their graffiti is known for wrapping public objects- from lampposts, parking meters, telephone poles, or signage with crocheted materials. Nowadays, artists continue using knitted yarn or fiber to “paint” the tree trunk as their artful expression.

“Support occupant well-being by incorporating the natural environment throughout the project and integrating design strategies that celebrate the project’s unique identity. “ — WELL, M02, nature and Place

On this beautiful day, we dedicate the card to all professional, amateur, and spiritual artists. We thank them for their goodwill and for decorating trees, whether it is a spiritual practice, aesthetic pleasure or environmentally-friendly gesture.