Robins and Christmas
17th December 2013
Have you ever wondered why there is such a strong affinity or association with Robins and winter or Christmas? A quick google search throws up the following articles amongst many:
The Robin will forever be associated with Christmas, but did you know the reason why? 'The legend of the Robin' is a lovely little story and holds a tremendous importance to some at Christmastime. A robin was thought to have shared the stable of Bethlehem, when the other animals chose not to respond to Mary's constant appeals for company. It is believed by some that it used its soft and strong breast feathers to reignite a fire so that baby Jesus could stay warm. When he got too close to the fire, the Robin burnt his breast feathers. The red breasts of Robins are associated to the selfless service they provided back then and these colourful birds are regarded as the traditional symbol of the United Kingdom. This is why they are found on greeting cards and wrapping paper. [peakdistrictonline.co.uk]
The answer lies in its red breast. When early Christmas cards were produced in the mid-18th Century, they were delivered by postmen wearing bright red coats. These postmen became known as 'robins' or 'redbreasts', and so the bird on the Christmas card was representing the postman who delivered it.' 'Another explanation is the legend that the robin got its redbreast when it was pierced by a thorn from Jesus' crown as He hung on the cross. Sometimes, the robin's association with Christmas became positively dangerous. As Victorian tastes grew more extravagant, robins were even killed to provide real feathers for decorating cards. [wildaboutbritain.co.uk]
Whatever the answer, the cheeky chap in the image associated with this article perched himself on top of various articles such as canes, stakes associated with the allotment. So whilst not necessarily the most 'christmassy' image that we are likely to see, one that is probably apt, and leads us to wish everyone associated with the allotments a very happy, merry Christmas, and above all, a healthy, allotment filled 2014.
The Robin will forever be associated with Christmas, but did you know the reason why? 'The legend of the Robin' is a lovely little story and holds a tremendous importance to some at Christmastime. A robin was thought to have shared the stable of Bethlehem, when the other animals chose not to respond to Mary's constant appeals for company. It is believed by some that it used its soft and strong breast feathers to reignite a fire so that baby Jesus could stay warm. When he got too close to the fire, the Robin burnt his breast feathers. The red breasts of Robins are associated to the selfless service they provided back then and these colourful birds are regarded as the traditional symbol of the United Kingdom. This is why they are found on greeting cards and wrapping paper. [peakdistrictonline.co.uk]
The answer lies in its red breast. When early Christmas cards were produced in the mid-18th Century, they were delivered by postmen wearing bright red coats. These postmen became known as 'robins' or 'redbreasts', and so the bird on the Christmas card was representing the postman who delivered it.' 'Another explanation is the legend that the robin got its redbreast when it was pierced by a thorn from Jesus' crown as He hung on the cross. Sometimes, the robin's association with Christmas became positively dangerous. As Victorian tastes grew more extravagant, robins were even killed to provide real feathers for decorating cards. [wildaboutbritain.co.uk]
Whatever the answer, the cheeky chap in the image associated with this article perched himself on top of various articles such as canes, stakes associated with the allotment. So whilst not necessarily the most 'christmassy' image that we are likely to see, one that is probably apt, and leads us to wish everyone associated with the allotments a very happy, merry Christmas, and above all, a healthy, allotment filled 2014.