Weihnachtspyramide

While a Christmas tree is the most popular Christmas decoration in Germany, there is also another item often seen at this time of the year: a Weihnachtspyramide, or Christmas pyramid. This colorful construction has nothing to do with Ancient Egypt - rather, you could describe it as a multi-level carousel depicting Christmas-related motifs such as angels and manger scenes, or even secular motifs such as mountain people and forests. It is typically made of wood and includes several multi-sided platforms with a long pole in the middle serving as an axle. Traditionally, it spins thanks to candles that heat up the air under a propeller at the top of the carousel. Watch out for a "Weihnachtspyramide" the next time you're at a German Christmas market - some of them are big enough to house a stand selling mulled wine.

Author: Eva Wutke

Editor: Kate Bowen