Many early peoples assigned the mistletoe magical properties because it grows in the tops of trees rather than in the ground. Its ability to remain green and ripen its berries during the darkest days of winter made it a symbol of continuing life, celebrated in winter Solstice celebrations.
A Parasitic Plant of Firs, Fruit Trees and Oaks
The mistletoe is a parasitic plant that takes its water and nourishment from its host trees. It grows across Europe to Asia and in the United States, but does not grow naturally in the Scandinavian countries or Ireland. It typically grows on fruit trees, pines, firs and junipers, and less commonly on oaks.
Celtic Traditions
The Celtic tribes revered the mistletoe, especially when seen in oak trees. Like the oak itself, mistletoe found in its branches represented the solstice, the time of change from shortening to lengthening days. According to legend, the druids, or Celtic priests, dressed in white robes with red cloaks, cut the mistletoe from the tops of the oaks with golden sickles.
Although mistletoe is known to be toxic, the Celts reportedly made it into an antidote for poisons, as well as an aphrodisiac.
Mistletoe hung in Celtic doorways symbolized good luck and good will. Guests walking under it received a kiss of friendship.
Legend also holds that when two enemies met under a mistletoe-bearing tree they observed a day-long truce.
Germanic and Scandinavian Traditions
For the Germanic tribes, both the oak tree and mistletoe were dedicated to Donar, the god of thunder, rain and vegetation. In some parts of Germany, mistletoe was tied to fruit trees during the winter to encourage a good harvest.
Bridal bouquets in some parts of early Switzerland included mistletoe in hopes it would bring a good marriage.
A legend from Scandinavian mythology lends background to mistletoe’s kissing tradition. According to the story, the Norse god Balder foresaw his own death in a dream. Frightened, his mother, Frigga, obtained a promise from all living things of the earth that they would not harm her son. But since Scandinavia lacks natural mistletoe, Frigga left it out of the promise. The evil god Loki, taking advantage of her oversight, caused an arrow bound with mistletoe to fell Balder. Frigga, however, revived her son and declared that mistletoe would forever symbolize love and good will. To seal the decree, she kissed everyone who passed beneath a mistletoe-bearing tree and ordered her earthly subjects to do the same.
Modern Use of Mistletoe at Christmas
By the eighteenth century, mistletoe had become popular in “kissing rings” in England. The rings were constructed of hoops decorated with evergreen garlands, ribbons, apples, oranges, nuts, candles and often small representations of the Holy Family. In the center was hung a sprig of mistletoe.
Ladies stepping under the mistletoe were kissed, a custom that is still common in England and the United States. In some other European countries, kissing under the mistletoe is a popular New Years Eve custom.
Like many Christmas customs, decorating with mistletoe and kissing under the mistletoe bough has survived from ancient times.
Related Articles:
- The Lore of Christmas Holly outlines the legends surrounding this plant of long-standing use in winter celebrations.
- Origins of Christmas Customs tells about traditions dating back to pre-Christian Solstice celebrations, including the use of fir trees and holly.
- Folklore Behind Christmas Plants and Flowers tells legends surrounding the use of Christmas Rose, Poinsettia and Rosemary at Christmas time.
References:
The Christmas Encyclopedia, by William D. Crump, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina, 2001.
Pagan Christmas:The Plants, Spirits, and Rituals at the Origins of Yuletide, by Christian Ratsch and Claudia Muller-Ebeling, translated from German by Katja Lueders and Rafael Lorenzo, Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vermont, 2003.
Linda McDonnell - I have been a journalist for 20 years, currently freelancing. As an outdoor and nature lover, I particularly enjoy writing about outdoor ...
