The month of December is the beginning of the holiday season and the excitement about the festive traditions begin. Decorating the house for Christmas, planning Christmas tree decorations, along with making New Year Plans there is a lot of happy vibes that is felt in the December air. And one of the traditions that continue is kissing under the mistletoe. There are songs, videos, movie scenes that play out a romantic moment of a kiss under the mistletoe. But a lot of people have just joined along the tradition, without knowing the meaning and legend behind following it. If you have been wondering about why people kiss under the mistletoe then let us tell you the origins and legends behind it as Christmas 2018 comes close.
Origin of The Tradition
A mistletoe has been associated with fertility and good luck since the medieval ages. The Greeks used the herb as a cure for everything, be it stomach pain or sleep disorders. The plant grows even in an extremely colder environment so it was viewed as a sacred symbol of restoring fertility and long life even. Some ancient groups even considered it as an aphrodisiac.
The Celtic people used it in traditional ceremonies, but there was no kiss or pecks, but just using as decorative items. War enemies would reconcile on their differences by exchanging mistletoe, as a mark of peace. Slowing the mistletoe was also used as a decorative item in marriage ceremonies. With the growing association to the fertility, romantic connotations came to it.
Mythological Legend Behind Kissing Under The Misletoe
A more commonly used story told about kissing under the mistletoe belongs to a Norse tradition. The mistletoe plant was very special to the Goddess of Love, Frigga. Her son Baldur or Balder was killed by an enemy's arrow which was made of mistletoe. Frigga was so saddened that she wept on the arrow and her tears turned into white berries. She placed those berries on Baldur's wound and it helped to revive him. Frigga's joy knew no bounds and she blessed the plant, promising a kiss to all those who passed under it. Since then, it is said that if a man and woman are caught under the mistletoe, they should kiss.
In ancient times, visitors would kiss the hand of the host at Christmas parties under the mistletoe. The tradition has evolved over time and was popularised in songs and movies. So any couple who happens to be standing under the mistletoe should be ready to pucker up, even if there are many guests watching over.
Wish you all a Merry Kiss-Mas!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 11, 2018 06:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).