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Mistletoe
Discover the Christmas custom, story, myth and legend associated with the Mistletoe. This festive tradition and Christmas custom, with its familiar symbol and meaning, has evolved over time. But what is the history, meaning and origin of the Mistletoe? This article provides facts and information about the history of the Mistletoe as a familiar symbol, tradition and custom of our Christmas today. Mistletoe remains green throughout the winter, thus symbolizing renewal.  

What is Mistletoe?
What is Mistletoe? Definition: Mistletoe is defined as a shrub of central and southeastern Europe; partially parasitic on beeches, chestnuts and oaks. A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album), bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. Description: An Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the traditional mistletoe of Christmas. American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe have been produced. The mistletoe of the United States is {Phoradendron flavescens} has broader leaves than the European kind.

The Origin and History of the Mistletoe
Some origins date back to the pagan traditions and customs of the ancients. Other symbols, customs and traditions have specific religious significance to the Christian religion and the Nativity of Jesus Christ. And finally there are many new, non-religious customs which have emerged
due to increased prosperity and the commercialism of the festival in the modern world. The origin and history of the Mistletoe is pagan. It was banned in 1647 by the English parliament under Oliver Cromwell due to its pagan connections.

The Christmas Custom & History of the Mistletoe - Symbol of Fertility
Evergreen plants, such as mistletoe, are rooted in pagan
religions, some dating back thousands of years to the Ancient Egyptians. In winter, when everything is brown and dead, evergreen plants, such as mistletoe, are manifestations of the abiding life within the plant-world, and evergreens may well have been used as sacramental means of contact with the spirit of growth and fertility. Particularly precious would be evergreen plants like the mistletoe, which actually bears fruit in the winter time.

The History and Origins of the Mistletoe - The Celtic Druids
The most celebrated festivals of the Celts and their priests, who were called Druids, were held in honour of the return of the sun which at the winter solstice begins gradually to regain power and to ascend in the horizon. The Druids worshipped the sun which included prayers and offerings to their Sun God to ensure that the sun returned to give them a good summer. The Druids also revered the Holly and the Ivy.

Why do people kiss under Mistletoe?
Why do people kiss under mistletoe? The origin of the old English custom of “kissing under the mistletoe” derives from the belief that the spirit of fertility embodied in the sacred bough. The Druids dedicated mistletoe to the Goddess of Love. According to one form of the English custom that each time they kissed a girl the young men would pluck a berry from the mistletoe bough. When the mistletoe berries were all picked, the kissing ceased! This traditional old English rhyme details the custom of kissing under the mistletoe:

Pick a berry off the mistletoe
For every kiss that's given.
When the berries have all gone
There's an end to kissing!

Homemade Kissing Ball
Homemade Christmas Wreath

Mistletoe
Christmas is celebrated worldwide, throughout the Christian population of approximately 2275 million people, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. Customs and traditions are symbolized by familiar symbols and icons, such as the Mistletoe,  have come to represent the spirit and meaning of this special time of the year.

Mistletoe
 

Mistletoe

  • Mistletoe
  • The history, meaning and origin of this familiar symbol
  • Old Customs, Symbols and Traditions
  • Meaning and origin of this traditional Christmas custom
  • History, Facts and information about customs, symbols and traditions
  • Meaning, history and origin of traditional symbols
  • A Religious Christian meaning, Pagan origins or a Modern custom?
  • Mistletoe

Mistletoe

"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"

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