Mistletoe History
Mistletoe Beginnings.
Most everyone in America is familiar with the Christmas mistletoe ball tradition. Hang it up, and whoever is standing underneath has to kiss each other. This is a popular custom that is shared throughout many homes. But where did this custom originate? It can surely be traced back to the 17th century, but there are many different legends from different cultures depicting this curious plant. Also, it is most intriguing because the mistletoe plant is poisonous. Click for more Christmas Decorations Ideas.
Mistletoe Facts.
Many do not know, but mistletoe is actually a partial parasitic plant. Partial because it can survive on its own through photosynthesis. It grows on trees and will grow roots into the trees, taking nutrients. Mistletoe can live on its own, but it most commonly found living off other trees. There are two different species of mistletoe. Phoradendron flavescens is the type found in North America which is used as Christmas decoration. There is also viscum album, which grows in Europe. In many cultures, mistletoe is thought to be a mystical plant that can heal, protect and help with fertility. Mistletoe will stay green and alive throughout winter, while its host will not. Since mistletoe does stay green throughout the cold winter, it is not a stretch to see why people in history thought it to be a magical plant. Click to see our unique Mistletoe, Christmas Greenery, Christmas Picks.
Kissing Under the Mistletoe.
The kissing under the mistletoe myth comes from Norse mythology. Baldurs mother, Frigga, went to all plants and animals asking them to protect her son and cause him no harm. She overlooked one, mistletoe. Loki, God of evil, found this out and got another to kill Baldur with a spear laced with mistletoe. Baldur was eventually brought back to life. Frigga cried tears of little white berries like the ones on mistletoe. Out of admiration, Frigga vowed to kiss anyone who walked under the mistletoe, so beginning the kissing under the mistletoe myth. See our other Unique Christmas Ribbon.
Most everyone in America is familiar with the Christmas mistletoe ball tradition. Hang it up, and whoever is standing underneath has to kiss each other. This is a popular custom that is shared throughout many homes. But where did this custom originate? It can surely be traced back to the 17th century, but there are many different legends from different cultures depicting this curious plant. Also, it is most intriguing because the mistletoe plant is poisonous. Click for more Christmas Decorations Ideas.
Mistletoe Facts.
Many do not know, but mistletoe is actually a partial parasitic plant. Partial because it can survive on its own through photosynthesis. It grows on trees and will grow roots into the trees, taking nutrients. Mistletoe can live on its own, but it most commonly found living off other trees. There are two different species of mistletoe. Phoradendron flavescens is the type found in North America which is used as Christmas decoration. There is also viscum album, which grows in Europe. In many cultures, mistletoe is thought to be a mystical plant that can heal, protect and help with fertility. Mistletoe will stay green and alive throughout winter, while its host will not. Since mistletoe does stay green throughout the cold winter, it is not a stretch to see why people in history thought it to be a magical plant. Click to see our unique Mistletoe, Christmas Greenery, Christmas Picks.
Kissing Under the Mistletoe.
The kissing under the mistletoe myth comes from Norse mythology. Baldurs mother, Frigga, went to all plants and animals asking them to protect her son and cause him no harm. She overlooked one, mistletoe. Loki, God of evil, found this out and got another to kill Baldur with a spear laced with mistletoe. Baldur was eventually brought back to life. Frigga cried tears of little white berries like the ones on mistletoe. Out of admiration, Frigga vowed to kiss anyone who walked under the mistletoe, so beginning the kissing under the mistletoe myth. See our other Unique Christmas Ribbon.
Labels: Christmas Mistletoe Ball, Mistletoe Folklore, Mistletoe Kiss Ball, Mistletoe The Plant, The Mistletoe Plant
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