Mistletoe is one such Christmas flower whose
association with the celebration of Christmas is even before the
birth of Christ in their winter festival. It has a Pagan origin.
Druid priests used mistletoe two hundred years before the birth of
Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it
had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.
The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing
powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to
ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace,
and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe
would lay down their weapons and embrace. Scandinavians associated
the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and probably from this
belief it may be derived that the custom of kissing under the
mistletoe started since it is associated with the goddess of love.
It is believed that those who kissed under the mistletoe had the
promise of happiness and good luck in the following year.
It is said that two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the
Druids used mistletoe to celebrate the coming of winter. According
to the custom they would gather this evergreen plant that is
parasitic upon other trees and used it to decorate their homes as a
part of Christmas decoration. Scandinavians also symbolizes
mistletoe as a plant of peace and harmony. The early church banned
the use of mistletoe in Christmas celebrations because of its pagan
origins. Instead, church fathers suggested the use of holly as an
appropriate substitute for Christmas greenery.
