Christmas Mistletoe Facts and Legends
The Parasitic Mistletoe Is More Than Just a Christmas Decoration
Aug 16, 2008
The Mistletoe, usually associated with Christmas, has a long mythical history. It is a parasitic plant that grows on trees and reputedly never touches the ground. It has links to festivities, medicine and romance.
Mistletoe and Lovers
Cliff Richard’s famous and enduring song, “Christmastime, Mistletoe and Wine” has ensured that the mistletoe with its magic and charms is remembered every Christmas and no Christmas party would be complete without the fun and the frolics associated with kissing under the mistletoe. Nevertheless there are other aspects of mistletoe not so readily known and remembered.
Mistletoe Medicinal Properties
The Ancient Druids worshiped Mistletoe as a symbol of fertility and it was thought to be an “all-rounder” when used as a cure. Whereas American Mistletoe is toxic, European Mistletoe is considered to have medicinal properties even today. The medical website, Drugs Digest, states that “For several decades, European mistletoe has been used to treat a wide variety of physical and mental conditions. Currently, it is best known as an additional therapy with other drugs and/or radiation for treating cancer.” Some HIV/AIDS organizations also claim that it can help restore immune systems.
Mistletoe Facts and Legends
- Kissing under the Christmas mistletoe can mean deep romance or a lasting, loyal friendship.
- Mistletoe is considered to be a giver of life and even an aphrodisiac.
- Kissing under the mistletoe is from a Greek festival tradition and the custom of using it to decorate houses at Christmas is a Druid tradition.
- Mistletoe berries are poisonous.
- Scandinavia considers mistletoe a plant of peace under which old enemies can kiss and make up
- Mistletoe is a parasite plant living on other trees.
- In Roman traditions the mistletoe is considered as a source of good fortune
- Mistletoe is evergreen and can be found easiest when the host tree is bare in winter.
- The name mistletoe comes from the Anglo-Saxon words; mistel, meaning dung and tan, meaning twig. Therefore mistletoe means, dung-on-a twig.
- Mistletoe is the floral emblem of the State of Oklahoma
- It is believed that mistletoe has magical powers and when placed over barns it wards off evil and it is fed to the first born calf each year to bring luck to the whole herd.
- On the 12th night of Christmas the mistletoe is burned just in case all the boys and girls who have kissed under it never marry.
Mistletoe and Lovers
Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and Christmas trees are all plants associated with the decorations of Christmas but the Mistletoe is a true favorite with lovers everywhere; even an illicit kiss by secret lovers may be enjoyed under the magic spell cast by the simple evergreen Mistletoe.
Unlike Holly and Poinsettias which are garden plants in their own right, Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that can damage trees. Its widespread growth in a garden should be kept to the minimum needed for Christmas decoration.
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