bottle tree

• Arbre ou structure décorative ornée de bouteilles en verre suspendues, souvent bleues, qui selon les croyances populaires capturent les mauvais esprits ou portent chance ; également élément décoratif de jardin.

A tree or structure decorated with hanging glass bottles, often blue, believed in folk traditions to trap evil spirits or bring good luck; also a decorative garden feature.

1. Decorative garden objectB2informalamerican

   A tree or structure, often a dead tree or metal frame, decorated with glass bottles placed on its branches, used as a folk art tradition or garden ornament.

   arbre à bouteilles

   • She created a beautiful bottle tree in her backyard using blue glass bottles.
   • Bottle trees are a common sight in some parts of the southern United States.
   • The sunlight shining through the bottles made the bottle tree look magical.

2. Folk tradition for catching spiritsC1informalamerican

   A folk tradition, particularly in the southern United States and parts of Africa, where bottles are placed on a tree to trap evil spirits or bad luck.

   arbre à bouteilles

   • According to local legend, a bottle tree protects the home from wandering spirits.
   • The tradition of the bottle tree originated in the Congo and was brought to America by enslaved people.
   • He built a bottle tree in his garden to keep away negative energy.