<P> Harvest wreaths were an important symbol to the community in Ancient Greece, not merely to the farmer and his family . The festivals devoted to Dionysus, the Oschophoria and Anthesteria, included a ritual procession called the eiresîonê . A harvest wreath was carried to Pyanopsia and Thargelia by young boys, who would sing during the journey . The laurel or olive wreath would be hung at the door, and then offerings were made to Helios and the Hours . It was hoped that this ritual would bring protection against crop failure and plagues . </P> <P> In Poland, the harvest wreath (wieniec) is a central symbol of the Harvest Festival, Dozynki . Wreaths are made of different shapes and sizes, using harvested grain plants, fruit and nuts . The wreath is then brought to a church for a blessing by a priest . The tradition includes a procession to the family home from the church, with a girl or young woman leading the procession and carrying the wreath . The procession is followed with a celebration and feast . Ukraine, Hungary, and other Eastern Europe cultures also have similar rituals that began as part of pre-Christian culture . </P> <P> In Christianity, wreaths are used to observe the Advent season, in preparation for Christmastide and Epiphanytide, as well as to celebrate the latter two liturgical seasons . These wreaths, as with other Advent and Christmas decorations, are often set up on the first Sunday of Advent, a custom that is sometimes done liturgically, through a hanging of the greens ceremony . The Advent wreath was first used by Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century, and in 1839, Lutheran priest Johann Hinrich Wichern used a wreath made from a cart wheel to educate children about the meaning and purpose of Christmas, as well as to help them count its approach, thus giving rise to the modern version of the Advent wreath . For every Sunday of Advent, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, he would put a white candle in the wreath and for every day in between he would use a red candle . The use of the Advent wreath has since spread from the Lutheran Church to many Christian denominations, and some of these traditions, such as the Catholic Church and Moravian Church, have introduced unique variations to it . All of the Advent wreaths, however, have four candles, and many of them have a white candle in the centre, the Christ candle, which is lit on Christmas Day . Advent and Christmas wreaths are constructed of evergreens to represent everlasting life brought through Jesus and the circular shape of the wreath represents God, with no beginning and no end . Advent and Christmas wreaths are now a popular symbol in preparation for and to celebrate the coming of Christ, with the former being used to mark the beginning of the Christian Church's liturgical year and both serving as décor during Advent and Christmas festivities . While Advent wreaths are erected on stands or placed on tables, Christmas wreaths are often hung on doors or walls . Within Advent, the Church observes Saint Lucy's Day, the memorial of Saint Lucy, who is said to have brought "food and aid to Christians hiding in the catacombs" using a candle - lit wreath to "light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible"; as such, on this day, many young Christian girls dress as Saint Lucy, wearing a wreath on their head . </P> <P> The symbolism of wreaths has been used at funerals since at least the time of Ancient Greece, to represent a circle of eternal life . Evergreen wreaths were laid at the burial place of early Christian virgin martyrs in Europe, the evergreen representing the victory of the eternal spirit over death . </P>

Where did the traditional christmas wreath come from