I was watching Christmas movies, some of the movies got the scene which is kissing under the mistletoe. I wonder why? So I try to read about it.
What is Mistletoe and where does it grow?
Mistletoe is the common name for most obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. Mistletoes attach to and penetrate the branches of a tree or shrub by a structure called haustorium through which they absorb water and nutrients from the host plant (wikipedia). It's native to Great Britain and much of Europe. Over the years the term has been used in different part of the world. Nowadays mistletoe that grows on willow and apple trees in garden centres.
Mistletoe Beliefs
Mistletoe plants took a huge place in the holy occasion of Christmas. It's used to decorate churches and home during winter season. Millions of Americans and Europeans hang a sprig of mistletoe in their doorways. This plant is believed to drive evil away, and its presumed to possess magical powers. This plants believed to bring health and luck and it's also called 'all-heal-plant'. Mistletoe considered to be a symbol of 'love, fertility and romance'. There are lots of superstitions but the popular one is, the Greek tradition of 'kissing under the mistletoe'.
Why people kissing under the mistletoe?
People kissing under the mistletoe, because they believe to have good luck, happiness and long married life. In ancient days its also considered as a promise to marry.
Mistletoe also known as 'celtic-All-heal', Celtic Druids living in the first century A.D. viewed it as a symbol of vivacity since it remained green while other plants were bare during winter. Mistletoe considered a plant that increase life and fertility.
It's a bad luck to take down the mistletoe after the Christmas immediately. It should be kept intact the whole year.
Birds can eat Mistletoe berries, but they are highly toxic to humans.
Comments
Dear Mr. Modaway, Thank you so much for taking your time reading the blog and comment I really appreciate that. I am glad you get to know about Mistletoe
Dear Passionate, DaraGino, Setareh, Peppo& Jp_Tp, Thank you so much for liking the blog. I appreciate that.
Hmm... strange, because here we don't do something like this and it is not famous. Maybe it was a tradition in ancient years, i don't know. Anyway, not big deal :)
Dear Elen, Thank you so much for taking your time reading and comment sweet heart. I appreciate that. Before I wrote this blog I did a little research, and I found in many books, the kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites.
Thanks for the reply, Adaline!
Dear Dara Gino, Thank you for reading and comment I appreciate that. May be, previous people who lived there left it. Is it on the tree?
Dear Mishaikh, Thank you for taking your time reading and comment. I appreciate that. Yes we cant do that in our Society.
Dear Passionate, Thank you so much for reading and comment I appreciate that my little brother. Hope you will find a lovely girl soon.
Dear Lady Anne, Thanks for reading and comment. I appreciate that sweet heart. I was born and brought up in a different culture, with lots of restrictions. But I am living in London enjoying my rights and freedom. I would like to say, there is nothing wrong in kissing in public to show their love and affection. If we don't like to see, just look away is in it.
Hello Adaline, nice informative blog. Although i have seen this plant, especially in Christmas time, i didn't know at all about it. A little correction, the tradition with the kiss is not Greek :)
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