What do Christmas, Druids, a Norse god, and bird droppings have in common? Mistletoe, of course!
The Plant
Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows in large spherical clumps on a wide variety of hosts—trees and shrubs. Some mistletoe clumps can get as large as five feet wide and as heavy as fifty pounds.
Mistletoe provides food and shelter to various woodland creatures. Several species of tree squirrels and numerous birds, make their nests directly in these clumps of mistletoe—traditionally called witches’ brooms.
Most mistletoe species have pearl-like white berries, from October until May, and each berry contains one sticky seed. In the fall when food is scarce, these berries feed a wide range of birds and mammals.
Birds are responsible for most of the mistletoe found in trees. Sometimes the seed sticks to the bird’s beak or legs and is wiped off on a tree branch. Sometimes it passes through the bird’s digestive tract and falls on a branch in bird poop. But once it’s there, the sticky seed latches onto the tree where its gluey pulp hardens, holding it in place for germination.
Did You Know…
- Worldwide there are 1,300-1,500 species of mistletoe.
- European mistletoe, or common mistletoe, arrived in the U.S. in 1900.
- Oak Mistletoe—the most common species in the eastern U.S.—is the genus Phoradendron, Greek for “tree thief.”
- Mistletoe is Oklahoma’s state floral emblem. It was originally selected because it was the only bit of color during harsh winters.
- The western U.S.’s dwarf mistletoe’s ripe white berries can explode, shooting seeds at speeds up to 60 mph and as far away as 50 feet.
- “Mistletoe” comes from two Anglo Saxon words: “Mistel” and “tan.” “Mistel” means dung and “tan” means twig. So mistletoe literally means poop on a stick!
The History
Ancient Greeks were the first known people to revere mistletoe. They considered it a symbol of male fertility and called the white berries “oak sperm.” They used it to cure everything from spleen disorders to menstrual cramps.
Mistletoe represented peace, love, and understanding to the Romans. They hung it over their doorways and reconciled their differences with their war enemies under it. They also used it as a balm to fight epilepsy, ulcers, and poisons.
The Druids viewed mistletoe as sacred, magical, and having healing properties. Because it flourished and bloomed during winter, they saw it as a sacred symbol of fertility, and gave it to both humans and animals, hoping to cure infertility. Bunches of mistletoe were carried in parades to welcome the new year, ensuring it would be happy and prosperous. Because oaks were seen as holy trees, the Druids believed the mistletoe growing on them had sacred powers, including the ability to heal, protect against evil, and predict the future.
Through the Middle Ages, mistletoe continued to be associated with fertility and vitality.
Did You Know…
- Evergreens symbolize everlasting life.
- Though American mistletoe is not deadly, its poisonous to humans.
- Historically some types of mistletoe were used to treat leprosy and infertility. It was once thought to cure epilepsy, too. (Today in Europe, mistletoe extracts are being used to fight colon cancer. They’re not only proving to be more effective but less toxic than standard chemotherapy.)
The Origins
Some believe the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began with the ancient Romans’ winter festival of Saturnalia. Held in mid-December, this pagan festival honored Saturn, the agricultural god. Some point to Greek and Roman marriage ceremonies, where mistletoe was used because of its association with fertility.
Still others believe the tradition came from Norse mythology when an arrow made of mistletoe killed Baldur, the beloved god of peace. His mother vowed that mistletoe would never again be used as a weapon. Not only would anyone standing under it be protected from death but receive a kiss.
Did You Know…
- Many of our Christmas traditions (like wreaths, candles, feasting and gift-giving) come from various ancient Saturnalia festival celebrations.
Christmas Tradition
When Paganism and Yuletide were replaced by Christianity and Christmas, all pagan emblems, including evergreens like mistletoe, were banned by the churches. This didn’t stop them from being used as decorations until the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and it never stopped at Christmas.
Before Christmas trees became popular, Christmas decorations included kissing balls (boughs) under which a large cluster of mistletoe hung. In the 1700s, kissing under the mistletoe became a new Christmas tradition. Popular first with servants in England, it quickly spread to the middle classes.
The first written mention of kissing under the mistletoe is from a song published in 1784. Americans were introduced to the tradition by Washington Irving. Charles Dickens’ works popularized the custom even more. By the mid-1800s, everyone in England and the U.S. was participating.
Did You Know…
- In 1719 and 1720, after extensive research, English apothecary and physician, John Colbatch, wrote two books on mistletoe, including a section on the superstitions and customs associated with it. There was no mention of kissing under it, so that hadn’t yet become a popular Christmas tradition.
- Boston’s Catholic Church initially condemned the song, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (underneath the mistletoe last night).” First recorded in 1952 by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd, the song hit number one on Billboard charts.
Etiquette
In the past, there was proper etiquette and rules for kissing under the mistletoe. Men had to pluck one white mistletoe berry per kiss. Once the berries were all gone, the kissing stopped. Saying no to a kiss brought bad luck. In Victorian England, a young woman either accepted the kiss or forfeited her chance of marriage for the following year.
Today, there’s only one thing to know. If you stand under mistletoe, you’re going to be kissed.