Mistletoe
Christmas Dance or Merrie Christmas, 12/1928
Norman Rockwell
Illustration Print
Norman Rockwell
Illustration Print
Do you know the story of mistletoe?
The mistletoe plant has been twined into many customs and mythologies, one of the first cultures to used mistletoe as a tradition was the Celtic Druids. Mostly used in ceremonies, they believed a rare mistletoe species that grew on oak trees had powers like healing illnesses, protection against nightmares, and helping predict the future. The Druids would collect it during the solstices, they were most likely the first to use mistletoe to decorate houses.
But the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in ancient Greece, during the festival of Saturnalia in celebration and a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn. This festival was for feasting, role reversals, gift-giving, and gambling. This celebration was during the winter solstice lasting almost two weeks. This festival faded after Christianity came to be popular. It is said the festival of Saturnalia led to some of the Christmas traditions practiced today. Later, it was incorporated into marriage ceremonies, because of mistletoes association with fertility.
During the Roman era, enemies at war would reconcile their differences under the mistletoe, which to them represented peace. They also decorated their houses and temples with mistletoe in midwinter to please the gods. Similar to the Roman era, in Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce or warring spouses that kissed and made-up.
There is also a Nordic myth around mistletoe, the plant was sacred to Frigga, the goddess of love, but Loki, commonly known as the god of mischief, shot Frigga's son with a spear or arrow carved from mistletoe. Frigga revived her son under the mistletoe tree and decreed that anyone who stands under the mistletoe tree deserves not only protection from death but also a kiss.
In times of Victorian England, kissing under the mistletoe meant serious business. If a girl refused a kiss, she shouldn't expect any marriage proposals for at least the next year, and many people would snub their noses at her, remarking that she would most likely end up an old maid.
Now, mistletoe is all part of the Christmas tradition, as it goes, caught under the mistletoe with another you should kiss for good luck in love, peace, and health for the new year.