Christmas angels facts for kids
Christmas angels are special wooden figures that look like angels. They often hold tiny musical instruments. You can even arrange many of them together to form a whole angel orchestra! These beautiful figures first came from the Ore Mountains region in Germany. They are a very important part of the traditional art from that area.
Angels are a big part of the Christmas story. In the story of Jesus' birth, an angel tells shepherds the good news. Then, a whole group of angels sings a joyful song. Because of this, Christmas angels are seen as messengers of light and good news.
What are Christmas Angels Like?
Christmas angels always have wings. This helps show that they are heavenly beings. They can be painted in bright colors or left in their natural wood look. For the colorful angels, the way their wings are painted often shows which company made them. It's like a special signature!
Most of these angels stand on a small wooden base. But you can also find angels that are sitting or even hanging. People who collect these angels sometimes use special stands called 'clouds'. These 'clouds' help arrange a whole orchestra of angels.
These angels can hold many different instruments. You might see them with flutes, organs, or other common European instruments. Some angels also carry candles, hold a lantern, or have a music book.
The History of Christmas Angels
For a long time, miners were a popular figure in Ore Mountain wood art. But angels, who bring light, also became very popular. People started carving angels as early as the late 1400s.
As Christmas traditions grew, so did the demand for these angels. Around 1830, woodturners from a town called Seiffen created a new angel design. This angel was made on a lathe and held lights in both hands. It also wore a golden crown.
In the early 1900s, some toy companies began making Christmas angels. These angels quickly became very popular. Their popularity spread beyond the Ore Mountains, even though world events sometimes affected their production. During World War II, for example, very few were made.
After the war, when Germany was divided, angels became a big export for East Germany. They helped the country earn money from other countries. After 1990, most of the workshops in the Ore Mountains successfully continued their businesses. Today, Christmas angels are still a key part of Ore Mountain folk art. You can find many different kinds at Christmas markets, which makes collecting them even more fun!
