Mistletoe is a hemi-parasite plant that grows on
the branches and trunks of apple and oak trees. Mistletoe plant
symbolizes love, peace, and goodwill and is closely associated with
Christmas. Mistletoe is used as a key Christmas decoration. The
history of Christmas mistletoe dates back to the Pagan tradition.
The word "Mistletoe" is a combination of Anglo-Saxon
words. "Mistle" means dung and "tan" means twig.
Hence, mistletoe can also be called an dung-on-a-twig.
Christmas mistletoe conveys that life can spring even from dung.
Mistletoe plant actually grows on the dung of the birds on the
branches of apple or oak tree. Christmas mistletoe has been used as
an important Christmas decoration since ages. "Kissing under
the mistletoe," primarily a Greek custom, is a very popular
custom for Christmas, according to which, every couple passing under
the mistletoe plant is entitled to a kiss. This custom is followed
by many European countries as well as the United States.
Every country has a different concept about using Christmas
mistletoe during Christmas celebrations. In the middle age, branches
of Christmas mistletoe were hung from the ceilings of the houses to
ward off evil spirits. Christmas mistletoe was thus associated with
the revival and restoration of goodness. An interesting legend is
associated with Christmas mistletoe, which is later discussed in
detail in this section.
