The word mistletoe is thought to stem from Saxon mistl-tan, meaning “different twig.” Druid priests thought mistletoe to be a sacred plant because it didn’t grow from roots in the ground. Mistletoe’s associations with fertility and vitality continued through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had become widely incorporated into Christmas celebrations. mistletoe synonyms, mistletoe pronunciation, mistletoe translation, English dictionary definition of mistletoe. Mistletoe also produces white berries that are poisonous. Because nothing says love like bird feces and poison. Here's why we kiss under the plant during the holiday season. But seriously, the Celtic Druids valued mistletoe for its healing properties and likely were among the first to decorate with it. According to Ronald Hutton, author of Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain, the Druids believed that mistletoe had medicinal properties, and used the plant in healing rituals. Therefore, this means that if you undertake the process of marriage. The origins of mistletoe meaning appear to come from a story in Norse mythology. Moreover, this concept the reasons why Mistletoe is being used to bless new unions across the world. The Greeks were known to use it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted it could be used as a balm against epilepsy, ulcers and poisons. In a story written by Charles Dickens in 1836, the practice of kissing under the mistletoe is mentioned. READ MORE: 25 Christmas Traditions and Their Origins. That plant you’re kissing under could be a … “dung-twig.”. The plant tends to grow from trees where bird droppings have fallen, which is how it got its rather unusual name. And does the name have anything to do with human toes? From Justin Beiber's smash hit to Harry Potter's first kiss, it has been cemented in festive pop culture. The Meaning Behind Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe. Many ancient cultures prized mistletoe for its healing properties—and its romantic symbolism. If you celebrate Christmas, it’s likely that at some point this season you’ll find yourself puckering up under a mistletoe branch. Mistletoe is often used as a Christmas … Slate explained mistletoe has long been used for its medicinal properties. The word mistletoe comes from the Old English misteltan, with tan meaning “twig” and mistel meaning, well, “mistletoe.” (Middle English speakers apparently confused tan as the plural of ta, “toe,” which is how we ultimately get mistletoe). At Christmas time a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed. Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales.They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant.Their parasitic lifestyle has led to … Mistletoe is considered a symbol of life because even when its host is leafless, it is evergreen and bears fruit in the winter. This, therefore, makes them one of the perfect couples in theory. Let’s find out! When birds land on them, they get stuck. Mistletoe is such a plant. How’s that for festive? A common mistletoe tradition is that when you pass someone under the mistletoe you stop and give them a kiss. mistletoe n noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc. Because nothing says love like bird feces and poison. In the Middle Ages, it was hung from ceilings or placed above stable and … Mistletoe can cause Witches’-broom, a symptom of a disease that results in clusters of weak shoots, in the host tree. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that feeds off of other plants in the wild. The earliest mention of kissing under the mistletoe found by Forsyth and other historians came from a song from 1784 Mistletoes have been a constant symbol … Mistletoe is a plant that has been written about in stories and myths for many hundreds of years. As for the roots of mistel, that etymology is obscure, though the word has cousins in Germanic languages. “Turtle” vs. “Tortoise”: What’s The Difference? Mistletoe meaning is about renewal, hope, friendship and more. While some may view that parasitic relationship as almost romantic, that’s not the reason that mistletoe earned its kissing reputation. Kissing under the mistletoe or Christmas Mistletoe Kissing is a distinctively English tradition. HISTORY OF MISTLETOE. Define mistletoe. Drinking tea made from the berries have even caused deaths. And to those romanticized minds, the mistletoe was deemed a symbol of love by Frigg, vowing to kiss all those who wandered beneath it. Contrary to its derivation, the Mistletoe tradition is quite romantic. Though illegal in many parts of the world, some countries still use this method to capture wild birds for eating. There is a lot more to symbolic mistletoe meaning than just kisses and Christmas decorations. Moreover, mistletoe is more harmful than helpful because it contains toxic amines and eating its berries causes stomach ache and vomiting. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! If you and someone else are under the mistletoe decoration you are supposed to have a kiss.This may make the mistletoe seem like a romantic little plant. Ancient ceremonies used Mistletoe to provide fertility and aphrodisiac effects, and it was also regarded as the soul of the oak trees it grew from. Whether we believe it or not, it always makes for fun and frolic at … The next time you decide to pucker up under the mistletoe be sure it's with someone for better and not for worse. So pucker up, buttercup … if you’re still in the mood. So, following the tradition should be done with caution. Get Help Now! Once all the berries were gone, all the “luck” in love and marriage was considered to be drained out of the mistletoe and it was now considered bad luck to kiss beneath it, instead of good luck as before. Mistletoe is a plant that grows parasitically on trees. And that’s why we kiss under the mistletoe. Meet Two Extinct Letters Of The Alphabet: “Thorn” And “Wynn”, How To Write A Convincing Letter Of Recommendation. Delighted, Frigg then declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. 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