The Holly and the Ivy, and Mistletoe

So why do we use Holly at Christmas apart from the fact that it looks so cheerful in the middle of winter with its beautiful red berries?  The Druids, Celts and Romans brought evergreens into their homes during winter.  They believed the ability to keep their leaves was magical and assured the return of spring. In Christianity, holly was adopted as a symbol of Christ’s crown of thorns: the crimson berries a symbol of his blood and the evergreen a metaphor for life after death.  The tradition of decking our houses with boughs of holly at Christmas continues today.

Mistletoe is another evergreen we bring into our home and has its origins in pagan culture.  Mistletoe was banned from early Church decorations because of these strong associations.  Kissing under the mistletoe is probably a combination of its ancient associations with fertility and a resurgence of interest in pagan customs.  Traditionally, a man was allowed to steal a kiss from any woman standing under the mistletoe and a refusal was seen as bad luck.  By the middle of the 19th century, images of couples kissing under the mistletoe had become universal in Britain

In continental Europe, mistletoe is traditionally associated with peace and good luck.

Once again, Ivy is an evergreen whose use during winter was associated with eternal life and rebirth.  In some cultures, ivy was a symbol of marriage and friendship, perhaps due to its tendency to cling.  In ancient Rome, ivy was associated with Bacchus: god of wine and revelry.  For a period, ivy was banished as décor by Christians due to its ability to grow in the shade, which led to its association with secrecy and debauchery.  The custom of decorating with holly and ivy during Christian holidays was eventually accepted.