Medieval art and red-and-green symbolism

via Wikimedia Commons

This BBC video on the origins of the Christmas color scheme is delightful. Stick with it past the mildly tedious bit about Coca-Cola imposing its own colors on Santa Clauss. It's worth it.

I love that the ultimate explanation has to do with the survival of medieval churches. I love pre-Renaissance churches (and Greek and Roman temples, for that matter.) These early churches have a naive and additive quality to their artwork that I find charming. Rather than presenting one designer's vision as many post-medieval churches do, these early churches are presenting a community's vision. Pin It