Belfries and Keeps; Trees on roofs

See this World Heritage site for the role of belfries and keeps in medieval life. The belfry signified independence, the keep signified the power of the overlord, as a summary - and there are apparently 23 of them that are especially beautiful in France and Belgium. See whc.unesco.org/en/list/943 for Keeps and Belfries. We began sketching the different types - witches' hats, onion domes.

Tree-topping for luck. Here is an example of "tree-topping" at Prislop, the Gateway Pass, Romania. This U.S. site says the custom of "tree-topping" is Scandinavian, dating from the Vikings. See www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A225315%20">Trees on Rooftops. If the long address does not work to get yo to the specific section, start with the main dot-com and work your way. The site notes that ironworkers these days may all sign the beam before putting them in place. Then they often put it up with a flag and evergreen tree on it. The tree idea goes back to Scandinavians, Vikings, symbolizing work done well, and promoting good luck for those about to move in. It was American Norwegian ironworkers who added the American flag iere, putting their own touch on the tradition.

For steelworkers, it also signifies, says this next site, that the maximum height has been reached, and the last beam is now in place. And, it notes that the Scandinavians by 700 A.D. used the tree at the top to signal the beginning of the "completion party." Everybody come. See www.aisc.org/Content/ContentGroups/Modern_Steel_Construction3/December_2000/0012_05_christmas.pdf#search=%22luck%20tree%20on%20roof%22. That is a pdf file, at page 1 of 4. Go to the basic aisc.org if the later information does not help.

So much easier if we could link, and if the protections of copyright and intellectual property could still be offered.

In Romania, the trees are also found on reconstructions and on tops of gates leading to a family compound.

A Japanese site also seems to say that cut trees at the entrance are lucky. See www.hkjapaneseclub.org/english/message. Quote from that site: "Good Luck Tree.
We placed two good luck trees on our 38/F & 39/F at the main entrance. Member can hang your wish on the tree. It will all come truth!" Unquote.