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Kissing under the Mistletoe is an age old Christmas tradition. Symbolic of peace and love, kissing under its boughs insured marriage. Did you know there is proper etiquette for this ritual?
Mistletoe is steeped in ancient legends and myths that are traceable to pre-Christian times. It was thought to be a remarkable and sacred shrub because it seemed to grow from the air and not from the earth. Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) derives its name from the Old English mistletan, “Mistel" for "dung," and "tan" for "twig" meaning bird droppings on a branch. It was thought that birds would eat the berries, and leave the dung on the branches where they would embed in tree branches and grow as a host plant. Considered a parasite, Mistletoe will grow in any tree but is known to grow wild in apple and oak trees. In the olden days it was harvested five days after the New Moon following the winter solstice. Cut with a golden sickle, the branches were not allowed to touch the ground. It was used to hang over doors to announce the arrival of a new year and to protect from thunder and lightening.
Over time its folklore has grown to include the belief that the oak mistletoe could extinguish fire, that it held the soul of the host tree and placed in a baby's cradle would protect the child from faeries. Of the genus Viscum album, viscum translates to sticky which is the property found in the berry allowing it to adhere to a tree. It is easily propagated by sticking the berries on smooth bark branches or making small holes and inserting them. Mistletoe has been considered undesirable because it feeds off other trees; however it is also thought to have a symbiotic relationship because it provides nutrients when the host is in dormancy. It also provides food for a host of animals and birds who consume its leaves and shoots. In Australia more than 240 species of birds nest in its foliage.
In America the Christmas mistletoe grown is of the genus Phoradendron, (translated to tree thief). Its first associations with kissing stem from Greek pagan festivals where it was considered an aphrodisiac and used in primitive marriage ceremonies. Its history as a kissing plant also includes the Norse myth of Baldur, god of summer, son of Frigga goddess of fertility who was killed by a spear made of mistletoe. Brought back to life, the mistletoe was then considered sacred by Frigga who declared any two people passing under it should kiss to celebrate Baldur’s’ resurrection. The spirit of Friggas’ good will lives on as the Christian theme of love triumphing over death.
Kissing under the mistletoe is also cited in an early work by Washington Irving, “Christmas Eve," which tells of the festivities surrounding the Twelve Days of Christmas:
“Here were kept up the old games of hoodman blind, shoe the wild mare, hot cockles, steal the white loaf, bob apple, and snap dragon; the Yule-clog and Christmas candle were regularly burnt, and the mistletoe with its white berries hung up, to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids”
Used as good luck charms to ward off evil, its sprigs were also put under the pillows of young girls who thought it would entice dreams of the husband to be.
And so, just what is proper etiquette for kissing under its bough? “The correct mistletoe etiquette is for the man to remove one berry when he kisses a woman. When all the berries are gone, there is no more kissing underneath that plant. Thus, the legend goes, all unmarried persons not kissed under the mistletoe will remain single for another year.”¹ For persons desirous of marriage, getting kissed quickly before the berries are all gone might ensure this proposition.
I am a transplanted New Yorker, writer, and novice gardener learning more and more each season. My plant of choice is Coleus (growing to include roses and others as I become more passionate about gardening). Other long time interests include book collecting and quilting.
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on December 18, 2007 at 2:23 AM:
What an interesting article, Joyce. I loved it. Some of the myths and legends were new to me, some I had heard or read before, but it is really interesting to have it all compiled into one wonderful article. Thank you!
Sharon
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Posted by MitchF (from Oklahoma City, OK) on December 18, 2007 at 9:24 AM:
Very nice - perfect article. Love the postcards in there! Mitch
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Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on December 18, 2007 at 11:40 AM:
A-ha! So now I know! Hmmmm... Wondering about the plastic decorative ones with oversized berries that have been there for decades...
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Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on December 18, 2007 at 3:40 PM:
Joyce, another beautiful article! Bet this one was a lot of fun to write, sure was fun to read! Great job with the pictures! Now...gotta go find me some, I have some single friends to hook up...
Happiest of Holidays!
Shari
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on December 18, 2007 at 5:49 PM:
Again Joyce, I've learned today and you can't beat that!! Thanks for a wonderful article and I loved all the graphics and pics :)
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Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on December 18, 2007 at 5:59 PM:
Thanks guys! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on December 18, 2007 at 6:36 PM:
Very interesting Joyce! Nicely done. I kissed my wife to be under it one year and all worked out fine. However, the mother-in-law seriously casts doubt on the evil warding business!
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Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on December 18, 2007 at 6:46 PM:
LOL!
Victor, she may need a garlic necklace for you :-)
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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on December 18, 2007 at 7:40 PM:
Being Italian, I would end up eating it.
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on December 18, 2007 at 9:14 PM:
Very enjoyable.
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Posted by darlindeb (from Claremore, OK) on December 23, 2007 at 1:06 AM:
Well done. Loved the accompanying graphics and photos.
Over time its folklore has grown to include the belief that the oak mistletoe could extinguish fire, that it held the soul of the host tree and placed in a baby's cradle would protect the child from faeries.
It also provides food for a host of animals and birds who consume its leaves and shoots. In Australia more than 240 species of birds nest in its foliage.
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