By Heather Bolen

Mistletoe, the evergreen plant with waxy white berries, has been a symbol of mystery and magic across cultures for centuries. While today it is most famously associated with holiday kisses, mistletoe's roots run deep into ancient rituals, folklore, and even medicine. Its enduring cultural significance reflects humanity’s fascination with nature’s peculiar gifts.

A Parasite with a Purpose

European or common Mistletoe, an evergreen plant with waxy leaves and pearly white berries, is as biologically intriguing as it is culturally significant. Botanically, mistletoe is an Obligate Hemiparasite plant, meaning it grows attached to the branches of host trees and shrubs, drawing water and nutrients to survive. While parasitic, mistletoe also provides ecological benefits, supporting birds, insects, and mammals. Birds like the mistle thrush feed on its berries, spreading the seeds to new locations, and its dense growth creates valuable shelter for nesting wildlife. Despite its reliance on host trees, mistletoe often plays a positive role in its environment, proving that even parasites can contribute to the balance of nature.

Sacred Symbol in Celtic and Norse Traditions

Long before Roman times, the ancient Celts noticed mistletoe remains vibrant and green during winter when most trees shed their leaves. This striking characteristic led this ancient culture to view mistletoe as a symbol of life and fertility, imbued with supernatural qualities. The plant was considered sacred and believed to hold powerful protective and healing properties. The Druids (members of the learned class among Celtic societies) revered it, especially when found on oaks, considered holy trees. During midwinter ceremonies, Druids would harvest mistletoe with a golden sickle, ensuring that it never touched the ground—a practice that symbolized its divine origin. Mistletoe was then used to ward off evil spirits, cure ailments, and promote fertility.

The origins of kissing under the mistletoe, a plant that often bears white berries, are often traced to a tale in Norse mythology about Baldur, the god of light and purity. According to legend, Baldur's mother, Frigg, made all living things promise not to harm her son, but she overlooked mistletoe. The mischievous Loki crafted an arrow from mistletoe, leading to Baldur's death. In some interpretations, Frigg’s tears transformed mistletoe berries into symbols of love, leading to the tradition of kissing beneath it as an act of reconciliation and peace. According to one sunnier version of the myth, the gods were able to resurrect Baldur from the dead. Delighted, Frigg then declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it. Yet, while Baldur’s death involves mistletoe, it’s got nothing to do with kissing or Christmas.

From Tudor Customs to 18th-Century Festivity

In medieval and Tudor England (1485–1603), mistletoe was hung in doorways during Christmas celebrations as a symbol of hospitality, protection, and good fortune. The plant’s associations with fertility and life likely encouraged playful social customs, though there were no clear mentions of kissing beneath it during this period.

By the 18th century, the kissing tradition began to take shape. The first recorded mention of the custom appears in 1784 in a song titled "The Mistletoe Bough":

What all the men, Jem, John, and Joe,

Cry, ‘What good-luck has sent ye?’

And kiss beneath the mistletoe,

The girl not turn’d of twenty.

-1784 song, “The Mistletoe Bough”

This reference reflects how mistletoe, long tied to festive gatherings, became part of a more structured tradition. It is believed the custom first gained popularity among servants in large English households, where lighthearted holiday merriment allowed for such playful behavior. From there, the tradition spread to the middle classes, marking its transition into the Christmas celebrations we recognize today.

This period coincided with a growing fascination with folk traditions sparked by the Romantic movement, which idealized nature, nostalgia, and old customs. These influences paved the way for mistletoe to become a beloved symbol of Christmas celebration, setting the stage for its full embrace in the Victorian era.

Victorian Courtship and Holiday Merriment

By the Victorian era (1837–1901), Christmas traditions underwent a revival, blending old customs with new ones. The Christmas tree, introduced to Britain by Prince Albert and popularized after an illustration of Queen Victoria’s family appeared in the Illustrated London News in 1848, became a central feature of festive celebrations. Alongside this, mistletoe took on a special role in holiday merriment.

“Oh, by gosh, by golly! It's time for mistletoe and holly!”

-Frank Sinatra

Victorian society, known for its rigid social norms—particularly around courtship—found a playful escape in mistletoe. A sprig of mistletoe hanging in a doorway became a festive excuse for a kiss. According to custom, a berry was plucked from the plant for each kiss, and once all the berries were gone, the kissing privileges ended. This lighthearted tradition offered a rare opportunity for flirtation at public gatherings cloaked in the joyful spirit of Christmas.

Mistletoe in Literature: Dickens, Irving, and the Victorian Revival

These festive customs, including both mistletoe and the Christmas tree, reflected a growing cultural emphasis on family, joy, and togetherness during the holiday season. Writers like Washington Irving and Charles Dickens captured the charm of these traditions in their stories, ensuring their place in Christmas celebrations for generations to come. After visiting England, Irving was inspired by traditional Christmas festivities and described them vividly in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1820). In his story "Christmas Eve," Irving writes about a lively gathering at an old English manor:

“The mistletoe is still hung up in farm-houses and kitchens at Christmas, and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked, the privilege ceases.”

-The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving

This charming account introduced American audiences to the playful tradition, connecting it to an idealized version of English Christmas cheer. Meanwhile, Charles Dickens, in The Pickwick Papers (1836–37), humorously captured the mistletoe custom at a jovial Christmas party:

“Mr. Pickwick, with the gallantry which distinguished his character, took the old lady by the hand and led her beneath the mystic branch. The old lady submitted to be kissed with a good grace, and the young ladies screamed as loud as they could... amid the loud laughter of the male and the blushing of the female spectators.”

-The Pickwick Papers (1836–37) by Charles Dickens

A Timeless Icon

From sacred rituals to festive traditions, mistletoe has transcended its botanical origins to become a cultural icon. It serves as a reminder of humanity's deep connection to nature and how even the humblest plants can inspire myths, traditions, and joy. Next time you encounter mistletoe, remember its rich history—whether you see it as a symbol of fertility, peace, or simply an excuse for holiday mischief.