双语阅读｜为什么我们在圣诞节用冬青树装饰？(5)

早期的基督教日历将平安夜标记为templa exornatur，意思是“教堂被装饰了”，尽管据说农神节庆祝者不允许一些基督徒悬挂树枝来庆祝圣诞节。基督教徒从德鲁伊、凯尔特和罗马传统中汲取了冬青传统，其象征意义也发生了变化，以反映基督教信仰。
Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly"s pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus" head before he died on the cross.
今天，基督徒认为冬青在两个方面象征着耶稣基督。红色的浆果代表耶稣被钉在十字架上那天在十字架上流的血。传说冬青莓原本是白色的，但基督为人类的罪恶所流的血使冬青莓永远染成红色。冬青的尖叶象征耶稣死在十字架上之前戴在他头上的荆棘冠。
Holly is known as christdorn in German, meaning "Christ thorn." Both of these symbols are meant to serve as a reminder to Christians of Jesus" suffering, but they aren"t the only stories tying holly to Jesus. One claims that the cross on which Jesus was crucified was constructed of holly. Another says that holly sprang up from his footsteps. Less common symbolism includes the holly"s white blossoms representing purity, and the idea that if the holly used to decorate a home for Christmas is prickly, the man will rule the house for the coming year; but if the holly used is smooth, the woman will rule.