People from different parts of the world practice special and interesting holiday traditions. One of these is definitely kissing under the mistletoe, which we see time and time again in movies. The reason why some people kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas has its roots in mythology.
Decorated spruce can be found in all homes. We are all probably also familiar with the tradition of hanging socks. O kissing under the mistletoe is less talked about, but this tradition is older than all three. And it has an interesting meaning!
Kissing under the mistletoe was very important in Norse mythology, and the plant had a large cultural significance for a very long time.
In the time of the ancient druids was this plant highly valued for its medicinal properties. The fact that it grows in winter is common among people created the belief that it can also cure infertility. When they found on the oak trees mistletoe
, the druids arranged a religious ceremony that involved the pruning of this plant and the sacrifice of two white bulls in the hope that the god would bless the fruits on it. From these we would then create elixir, which should people cured all poisons and helped cure infertility.
As we can see, the story of kissing under the mistletoe had nothing to do with romance at the time. Only in the Middle Ages is this plant acquired a love connotation. She played an important role in this the goddess Frigg. According to the mythological story, they are the god of wisdom Odin and his wife Frigg had a son named Baldur. That was what she was told a prophecy that he would be killed. Frigg met all living things (plants and animals) and urged them not to harm her son.
But she forgot about mistletoe, which is She also killed Baldur. Death made Frigg weep— and her tears represent the fruits found on this plant. The goddess promised everyone that she will kiss them if they walk under the mistletoe. As of that day, no one he no longer used this plant as a weapon, instead it became a symbol of love.
It is not entirely clear what this plant is like associated with Christmas, but the first mentions of it were detected in works Charles Dickens and Washington Irving during Victorian England. Dickens mentions kissing under the mistletoe in the work The Pickwick Papers, and Irving more so detailed in the book Christmas Eve. That's how people got started decorate their homes with mistletoe and this tradition is still relevant today - a woman standing under this plant must not refuse a kiss, otherwise it won't happen report next year. Every time a girl is betrothed, must pluck one fruit. Interesting, isn't it?
