December 9th

By Mutt Mulligan

The history of mistletoe

Did you know that the tradition of hanging mistletoe on your doorframe found its roots during the 6^th Century?

The Celtic Druids viewed mistletoe, which often grows around strong trees such as oak, as a symbol of life and fertility. Later, the Greeks believed the plant had mystical powers. By the Middle Ages, Europeans took to hanging it from the ceiling to ward off evil spirits. Today we use it to spark a spontaneous smooch during the holidays. As we mentioned in an earlier post, it can be poisonous when ingested so handle with care. For more mistletoe traditions, visit this site.

Do you decorate with mistletoe?