What is the name of the wooden tree with glass bottles on it... as in the movie The Hills Have Eyes..

Question

in the movie there is a scene with the wooden handmade tree with bottles on it... i have seen this before but i want to know the name of it.. thanks

Answer 1

Hanging glass bottles, or glass fishermen's net floats, from a tree is a form of protective magick.  It is common practical folk magick.  It is a way of guarding your home against "negative energy," curses, or "bad luck."  Harmful spirits are believed to be trapped in the bottles, and thus unable to do any mischief.  I believe such a tree is called a Witch Tree.  

Answer 2

Yes this originated in Africa. The bottles were to trap the evil spirits who would then die from the sun. When the wind blew and the bottles whistles this was thought to be the sound of the dying spirit. I never saw the movie that you mentioned but I do remember it was in that Ray Charles movie. The tradition died out but now it is starting to be popular again except many are man made structures rather then live trees.

Answer 3

besides spiritual  the other reason bottle trees were popular was because of the lead content of the glass.  (which is now regulated to prevent lead poisoning)  anyway glass with high lead content will change colors when left out in the sun for a long period of time.