Kiss under the Mistletoe
Ever wondered why we kiss under the mistletoe?
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on range of trees including willow, apple and oak trees. It is associated with Christmas as a decoration under which lovers are expected to kiss.
Mistletoe played an important role in Druidic mythology in the Ritual of Oak and Mistletoe. The tradition of hanging it in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids. It is supposed to possess mystical powers which bring good luck to the household and ward off evil spirits.
It was also used as a sign of love and friendship in Norse mythology and that’s where the custom of kissing under the mistletoe comes from. In Norse mythology, Loki tricked the blind god Hodur into murdering Balder with an arrow made of mistletoe, which was the only plant to which Balder was vulnerable. Some versions of the story have mistletoe becoming a symbol of peace and friendship to compensate for its part in the murder.
Mistletoe continued to be associated with fertility and vitality through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had also become incorporated into Christmas celebrations around the world. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is referred to in late 18th century England, and the serving class of Victorian England is credited with perpetuating the tradition.
The tradition dictated that a man was allowed to kiss any woman standing underneath mistletoe, and that bad luck would befall any woman who refused the kiss. One variation on the tradition stated that with each kiss a berry was to be plucked from the mistletoe, and the kissing must stop after all the berries had been removed.
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