Plant Folklore: The Holly and the Ivy

T
he Holly and the Ivy is not only one of my favorite Christmas carols, it’s the only one I know of with a botanical theme.

The tradition of using evergreens like holly, ivy, and mistletoe to decorate with goes way back to ancient times, when the winter solstice was celebrated as a holiday festival. The pagan figure of the green man, a woodland spirit, is often depicted wreathed in holly leaves.

When Christianity became widespread in Europe, people continued to decorate with holiday greenery, but assigned Christian meanings to it. With holly, the prickly leaves are said to represent the crown of thorns Jesus wore at his crucifixion, and the red berries represent the drops of blood he shed. (Some of this is alluded to in The Holly and the Ivy, if you can catch the lyrics when you hear it).

Here’s a beautiful rendition of The Holly and the Ivy by singer Natalie Cole:

Related posts:

1. Plant Folklore: The Manger Herbs of Bethlehem
2. Three Shrubs for Late-Season Glory
3. Decorating For A Christmas or Holiday Party On A Budget
4. Ghost Plant is a Solid Presence in Fall Containers