Christmas Traditions: Mistletoe

While the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is a long-standing and Christmas tradition, the mistletoe plant itself is anything but romantic.

A parasitic plant that grows on trees along the eastern coast of North America, mistletoe was believed to have been spread through bird droppings. In fact, the word "mistel" is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "dung" and "toe" means "twin". So mistletoe quite literally means "dung on a twig."

If that image doesn't make you want to pucker up, consider this: Mistletoe has also long been believed to carry magical powers. The Druids believed that mistletoe, which also grows on oak trees throughout Europe, represented the tree's soul and sexual prowess. The mistletoe would be gathered mid-summer and mid-winter and used to decorate one's home. During the Middle Ages, mistletoe branches were hung to protect homes from evil spirits. Northern Europeans believed that mistletoe could help ward off witches.

The very first people to believe in the magic of mistletoe were the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks thought that mistletoe was imbued with the powered fertility, an antidote to poison, and also a powerful aphrodisiac.

In fact, during the festival of Saturnalia, the ancient Greeks would kiss under the mistletoe, which later became customary during marriage rites as well.

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe on Christmas emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages. The original custom held that each time a man kissed a woman under a twig of mistletoe, he should remove one of the berries. Once all the berries were gone, no more kissing could take place under that twig.

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Comments

shobhit from India

12:26 12/24/2010

my best friend

coda from North Carolina, US

11:36 12/16/2010

sup

roger

11:10 12/14/2010

whos want to come with me under the mistletoe

Brenda from Virginia, US

13:59 12/23/2009

I look forward to the day we kiss under the mistletoe. Merry Christmas and I love you very very much Terry

Breanna from South Carolina, US

09:23 12/02/2009

hello earthlings:) wow i never knew how much history the mistletoe really had. I guess you learn something new every day. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year:)

Travis from Georgia, US

23:36 09/30/2009

Travis, I know what is the mistletoe specially when it is used to decorate over the bed. It's very nice! What I didn't know was the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe... May God give you a wonderful night sleep!! Kisses, Elizabeth

Lacareena from Indonesia

20:43 12/19/2008

HoPing u wUd hAve a veRy MerRy ChriStmAs. . Its the sEasOn for"giving"

achi from India

00:36 12/18/2008

hey friends merry christmas...!!!!!!!!!!!! remember its the season of peace and love.......

clara from Georgia, US

14:29 12/11/2008

is it possible to download one of your pages to my multiply background? thanks......clara

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