German Christmas Decorations

The German candle arch, otherwise known as "Schwibbbogen", is a traditional Christmas decoration originating from Seiffen, a region located in the district of Erzgebirgskreis, famous for its unique woodcraft tradition.

In the early 1700s, it became routine for many families of Erzgebirge (Iron Ore Mountains in Eastern Germany), to put candle lights in their windows to help the miners find their way home during the dark winter months. 

This tradition inspired a blacksmith named Johan Teller to create3 the first5 ever candle arch in 1740.

Originally these candle arches were made from painted black metal, but after the second world war, woodworkers in Seiffen started to use wood as the main material for the arches.

What does the German candle arch represent ? 

The arch symbolizes the entrance of the miner's tunnel, while the candles represent the torches used to illuminate the interior of the mine. Traditionally candle arch figurines display scenes of everyday life, such as Christmas traditions or forest landscapes.  Very often an arch has the figure of the minor, the angel, the woman at the spinning wheel and the craftsman in it. Today many candle arches feature scenes of modern life or cities for around the world.