How did holly become a Christmas tradition?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
December 23, 2002
Suggested Reading: Click here.
In ancient Rome, the festival of Saturnalia took place during the time of the winter solstice. Saturnalia was a time of high spirits and gift-giving. Pliny the Younger wrote a letter to Gallus mentioning, "When I retire to this suite I feel as if I have left my house altogether...especially during the Saturnalia when the rest of the roof resounds with festive cries in the holiday freedom, for I am not disturbing my household's merrymaking nor they my work." (Letters of the Younger Pliny, trans. Betty Radice, 1969)
A bough of holly accompanied gifts in Rome. Holly, known as Aquifolius (needle leaf), was considered powerful. In Natural History, Pliny the Elder wrote, "A holly-tree planted in a town or country house wards off magic. Pythagoras writes that water is solidified by its flowers and that a holly-stick thrown at any animal, even if it falls short because the thrower lacks strength, rolls nearer the target of its own accord--such is the natural power of the holly-tree." (Natural History, trans. John F. Healy, 1991)
The Celts brought holly (cuilenn-Middle Irish, holen-Old English, hulis-Old German), mistletoe, and other evergreens into their homes in winter. In an effort to placate those forces beyond one's control, the branches encouraged nature spirits to visit. Mrs. Grieve wrote "the Druids...decorated their huts with evergreens during winter as an abode for the sylvan spirits." (A Modern Herbal, 1931, reprinted 1996)
It is thought early Christians decorated with Aquifolius so they would not attract persecution. But after Christianity became the state religion, officials frowned upon decorations and gift-giving; the festivities were too much like the pagan Saturnalia. Holly did not gain acceptance for the Mass of Christ until medieval legends linked the tree to his crucifixion and it became known as the Holy-Tree.
Hans-Otto Tengrud has posted several great photographs of Aquifolius, holly, or Holy-Tree (Ilex aquifolium Linnaeus) on his site, Camera Arborea. To view his photographs, click on the link:
http://www.arborea.se/ilexaqui.htm
Suggested Reading:
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Plant of the Week - December 24, 2001
How did holly become a Christmas tradition? Herbal Folklore - December 23, 2002
What was a yule log? What's in a Name? - December 27, 2002
What was wassailing? Herbal Folklore - December 22, 2003
What was the Old Snap Dragon? Renfield's Garden - December 24, 2003
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