Michael Womack
| News | Sports | Business | Opinions | Columns | Entertainment |
| Science/Technology | Weather | Archives | E-mail Us |

Saturday, December 25, 1999

Evergreens symbols of eternal life

Mistletoe played a role in Celtic and Norse lore

 

Christmas brings up images of evergreen trees, mistletoe, holly and poinsettias. We've accepted these holiday favorites but most people don't know why they were originally used in the annual celebration or their symbolism.
   Evergreen trees were part of mid-winter festivals by Druids and primitive European tribes long before the birth of Christ. The evergreen represented the everlasting life and hope for the returning spring because they stayed alive and green when other plants appeared dead and bare. When Christmas celebrations came about, the use of evergreens was incorporated into Christmas celebrations and given Christian interpretations around 500 years ago.
   Martin Luther is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition after being awestruck when viewing a star-filled sky through the branches of an evergreen tree one Christmas Eve. Legend says he cut a small evergreen and brought it into his home to share the experience with his children.
   Some historians believe Hessian soldiers brought the tradition of evergreen trees at Christmas to the United States during the Revolutionary War. We nostalgically think of colonial houses with their evergreen trees; however, history credits German settlers in Pennsylvania with the first American Christmas trees in the 1830's.
   Another Christmas favorite, mistletoe, also has its origins in pagan culture. The Celts believed it had miraculous healing properties. The Norsemen also cherished this lowly plant, believing it to be the sacred plant of Frigga, goddess of love and mother of Balder, god of the summer sun. According to legend, Balder was killed by a mistletoe arrow tip and her tears shed for him not only brought him back to life, but became the white berries. The story ends with a decree that no harm shall befall whoever stands beneath the mistletoe, only a token kiss of love.
   In 18th century England, mistletoe was combined with evergreens, ornaments and ribbons at Christmas to create a kissing ball. Its magical appeal made a young lady standing beneath unable to refuse a kiss.
   Holly was a sacred plant used in the Roman festival of Saturn. Centuries later, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus at the same time. To avoid persecution, they decked their homes with Saturnalia holly. As Christian numbers increased and their customs prevailed, holly lost its pagan association and became a symbol of Christmas. It has come to stand for peace and joy.
   Poinsettias were first used in Christmas celebrations in Taxco, Mexico, because of their synchronous blooming with the holiday season. Legend tells of two poor children, Maria and Pablo, who always looked forward to the Christmas festival, but were saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wanted to give something to the church for the Baby Jesus.
   On their way to the church one Christmas Eve, they picked some weeds growing along the hillside that they presented to the baby in the manger scene. As the other children teased them about their gift, the green tops of the weeds miraculously turned into bright red petals (which horticulturists know are actually bracts) and the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers.
   Looking at the history behind these common Christmas flora helps us not only to understand why we "deck the halls will boughs of holly," evergreen trees and wreaths, but also to admire these holiday favorites with newfound respect due to their heritage.
  

1999 Caller-Times Publishing Company, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.