Spirit of Bonhomie - Day Four
Tree dressing Day
Today I want you to think like the Lorax, who speaks for the trees.
Tree Dressing Day, celebrated in the first week of December, is a delightful tradition that brings people closer to trees and highlights their vital role in all our lives.
Let’s look into the neuroscience of this heartwarming practice:
Origins and Customs:
Tree Dressing Day was initiated by Common Ground in 1990. It falls on the first weekend of December.
This celebration draws inspiration from old customs across the world, observed at various times of the year.
The act of dressing a tree—tying strips of cloth or yarn to its branches—is universal and timeless.
Celtic tradition: Tying cloth dipped in water from a holy well to a ‘clootie tree.’
Japanese practice: Decorating trees with strips of white paper (tanzaku) bearing wishes and poems.
Yarn bombing: A 21st-century trend in Europe and North America, transforming landscapes with bright fabrics and yarns.
Buddhist homage: Tying ribbons around the trunk of the Bodhi tree.
Hindu festival: Colored strings tied onto trees and plants during Raksha Bandhan.
The Neuroscience Connection:
Expressing gratitude: Dressing a tree binds us to it, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation.
Community bonding: Tree Dressing Day brings people together to celebrate their leafy friends.
Cultural memory: Reflecting on the social and cultural history of local areas, considering trees’ role in shaping stories.
Spiritual significance: Trees have long been revered for their spiritual and symbolic value.
Your Role:
Organize a Tree Dressing Day in your community.
Say ‘thank you’ to the trees where you live.
Share tree stories with family. friends, neighbours, and colleagues.
So, let’s honour the trees that grace our gardens, streets, neighbourhoods and celebrate their enduring presence! 🌳🌿🍃
How will you speak for the trees today?
What joy does it bring?
“Finland is officially the world’s happiest country. It is also 75 per cent forest. I believe these facts are related.”
