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Crown of thorns -

The wreath was meant to represent the crown of thorns worn on the cross, with the red berries symbolizing Jesus' blood. But the origins of this circular garland date back much further than the time of Christ.

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Origins of the wreath -

The Etruscan civilization, a society dating back to the 4th century BCE and ancient Italy, crafted some of the earliest examples of wreaths, designed as jewelry and made of gold and other precious metals. Pictured is a gold crown, or corona sutilis, in the form of laurel leaves.

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Roman era -

The Romans adopted Etruscan symbolism in their own designs. Golden wreaths were worn as crowns in homage to Rome's early Etruscan rulers. A wreath also served as symbol of authority and status. Pictured wearing his is Antoninus Pius, emperor from 138-161 CE.

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Greco-Roman society -

In Greco-Roman society, a golden laurel wreath was a symbol of nobility and athleticism.

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Symbolic of status and achievement -

Furthermore, a wreath could represent a person's occupation, rank, achievements, and social standing. The Olympian deity Apollo is very often depicted wearing a laurel wreath.

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Crowning glory -

In fact, the ancient Greeks rewarded victorious athletes with an olive wreath at the original Olympic Games. This 5th-century BCE pottery fragment is illustrated with a crowning ceremony.

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Roman god -

The Romans depicted Jupiter, their god of sky and thunder, wearing a laurel crown.

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Victory coronas -

And it was the Greeks and Romans who began celebrating battle victories by sculpting ring-shaped decorations called coronas (from the Latin corōna, meaning "crown," "garland," or "wreath") out of masonry to honor the victors, exemplified here by the Arch of Constantine in Rome that recognizes Emperor Constantine after his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE.

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Origins of the Advent and Christmas wreath -

The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th century. Evergreen foliage was used as a symbol of continuity and sustained life in the bleak winter months. Evergreen has had a hugely symbolic meaning since antiquity, used to mark the winter solstice by the Romans, Greeks, and Celts. In fact, the evergreen Christmas tree as we know it evolved more or less at the same time as the Advent wreath.

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An evergreen idea -

English and later German and Dutch settlers imported the wreath to the United States (which in turn introduced Americans to the Christmas tree). By the 19th century, it was common to see foresters felling evergreen trees to make wreaths. This December 25, 1858 engraving was published in Harper's Weekly on December 25, 1858. But to whom do we owe the traditional shape of the Advent wreath?

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The Advent wreath takes shape -

Lutheran priest Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881) is recognized for creating the now traditional shape of the Advent wreath, inspired perhaps by the ring-shaped coronas from antiquity.

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Use of a cart wheel -

In 1839, Wichern used a wreath fashioned out of a cart wheel to teach youngsters about the meaning and purpose of Christmas. Its circular shape also helped them them count its approach. More widely, the wreath came to symbolize God's never-ending love and the eternity of life.

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The Advent wreath -

For every Sunday of Advent, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Hinrich would place a white candle in the wreath and for every day in between he would use a red candle. But what do the colors of the candles signify?

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White candle -

Candles specifically symbolize the Christian concepts of hope and joy. The white Advent candle is known as the Christ candle. It represents the arrival of Christmastide, white being the traditional festal color in the Western Church.

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Violet candle -

The official color for the season of Advent is violet. It is the color typically associated with penance.

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Rose candle -

The rose Advent candle was used by early German Christians also as a symbol of penance before violet became the preferred hue of the Catholic Church. However, rose or red-colored candles remain representative of the colors of the liturgical vestments for the Sundays of Advent, as does violet. Besides their place in wreaths, red candles are traditionally used in Christmas tree decorations.

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Blue candle -

Blue Advent candles are sometimes used instead of those tinged violet. Blue represents hope and expectation. Blue candles are popular within the modern Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

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Orthodox Christian wreath -

An Orthodox Christian wreath, incidentally, consists of six different colored candles: green (faith); blue (hope); gold (love); white (peace); violet (repentance); and red (communion). 

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Feast of Saint Lucy -

In Scandinavia and Italy, celebrations to mark Saint Lucy's Day—December 13—include the representation of a lady in a white robe wearing a crown or wreath of white candles on her head.

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Christmas wreath on door -

Hanging an Advent wreath outside the door is viewed as an invitation to the spirit of Christmas to enter the home and bring luck.

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Christmas spirit -

In addition, a wreath on a door also suggests that the Christmas spirit dwells within.

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Further symbolic meaning -

Actually, an Advent wreath is the perfect way to dress your front door for the festive season. And different wreaths have different meanings. A wreath made of hawthorn berry, for example, represents protection and joy.

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Herbs and flowers -

Herbs and flowers can add further symbolic meaning to a wreath. Thyme represents bravery.

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Rosemary -

Rosemary set within a Christmas wreath signifies remembrance.

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Sage -

Sage leaves bound within a Christmas wreath represent good health.

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Lavender -

Sprigs of lavender arranged within an Advent wreath symbolize purity.

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Cedar leaf -

Cedar leaf, one of the original evergreens, represents strength and sustainability.  

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Holly leaf -

Holly leaf, a perennial favorite used frequently in wreaths, represents immortality.

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Pine cone -

An Advent wreath of pine cone represents long life and prosperity.

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Making an Advent wreath -

Making an Advent wreath begins with a base of sorts, wire perhaps or lengths of vine or wood. Combining any of the above with evergreens of different hues and textures, plus berries, fruit, and even flowers, all intertwined or arranged in a circular shape and rounded off with a bow, is a perfect way of announcing the arrival of the festive season.

Sources: (U.S. Catholic) (Hallow) (Britannica) (The Old Farmer's Almanac) (Etymonline)

See also: Why is the Christmas tree so significant?

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