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Mistletoe |
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Christmas Mistletoe Facts
Mistletoe Plant is considered as a symbol of love and peace. Mistletoe is an aerial parasite which does not have its own roots and it grows off the tree that it attaches itself to. The Mistletoe can survive itself without that tree and it would die. According the the legend of Christmas. It was said that 200 years before the Christ's birth, the Druids (ancient Celtic order of priests) used mistletoe plant to welcomes the winter season with it. Even the warriors would stop their battles and claim a temporary truce whenever they happened to chance upon mistletoe. They believed the plant had special healing powers for everything from female infertility to poison ingestion. |
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Mistletoe Plant
The mistletoe plant is a partial parasite, It grows on the branches or trunk of a tree. Its a parasite, and it roots into the host tree and take all its nutrients from the tree. However, there are two types of mistletoes:
(A) American mistletoe, scientifically known as Phoradendron flavescens, It can be found in New Jersey to Florida, The mistletoe species are associated with the Christmas kissing tradition.
(B) The European mistletoe is caled Viscum album, Its a green shrub with small, white and yellow flowers, sticky berries. It is seen growing, usually, on rarely, on oak or apple trees.
Tradition of Mistletoe
From the earliest days of European folklore; the plant of mistletoe has been considers as one of the most mysterious, magical, and sacred plants. It was known as a plant related to bestow fertility and life; as an aphrodisiac and protection against poison. The ancient people collects it at mid-summer and winter solstices, and the tradition of decorating houses with it at Christmas is a survival of the Druid and other pre-Christian religions.
The Story Of Mistletoe
The story related to Mistletoe goes in this way. The Mistletoe was the sacred plant of Frigga (the wife of Odin, a love and fertility goddess), and the mother of Balder (the god of the summer sun). Balder seen the dream of his death, which greatly alarmed his mother, for should he die, all life on earth would end. Balder was blessed with powers that he could not be hurt by anything on or under the earth. On other side Balder also had one dangerous enemy, named "Loki" ( God of evil), The Loki find one plant that grew neither under the earth nor under on earth. And that was lowly Mistletoe, He know that one plants grows on apple and oak trees. So Loki created an arrow tip of the mistletoe plant and gave to "Hoder" (the blind god of winter), who shot it with the mistletoe tip and striking Balder dead. Due to his death, The 3 days the every element of universe used to bring Balder back to life. Then finally Frigga restored him. It is said that the tears she shed on her son's death changed into the pearly white berries on the mistletoe and in her joy Frigga kissed everyone who passed under the tree on which it grew. So this story was also associated with Christmas. It ends with a decree that who should ever stand under the mistletoe must give a kiss, as a token of love and No harm befall them.
Kissing under the mistletoe
The tradition of Kissing under the mistletoe on holidays is first found related with the Saturnalia ( A Greek festival) and later with primitive marriage rites. There are two type of beliefs with the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. One belief was that mistletoe give power to bestow fertility and love making. At Christmas time a young lady standing under a fruit of mistletoe plant, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ornaments and ribbons can't refuse to be kissed. Such a kiss on Xmas mean deep romance and lasting friendship of love. If the girl remained unkissed, she cannot expect not to get married in the following year. |
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