Kissing Under the Mistletoe: Ancient Roots of a Beloved Christmas Tradition
For many, mistletoe hanging in a doorway is simply an invitation for a festive kiss. But this charming Christmas custom carries centuries of symbolism, myth, and sacred ritual. Far from being a simple seasonal decoration, mistletoe has deep roots in ancient European, nature-based spirituality, especially within the practices of the Celtic Druids.
A Symbol of Defiance, Life, and Vitality
To understand why mistletoe became a symbol of love, we first need to look at its unusual nature. Mistletoe is a plant that grows high in the branches of certain trees, especially oaks, even through the dead of winter. When other plants wither in the cold, mistletoe remains green, sprouting white berries during the darkest, coldest months of the year.
For ancient peoples, this resilience showed its defiance of the seasons, thriving without roots in the ground. As it grows suspended in the air, early European cultures considered it ‘between worlds’ - neither of the earth nor entirely of the heavens. This liminal quality made mistletoe a potent symbol of life and vitality.
Why the Druids Held Mistletoe Sacred
Among the Celts, the Druids (who were priests, healers, and keepers of natural lore) held mistletoe in the highest reverence. According to historical accounts:
Only mistletoe growing on oak trees was considered truly sacred and was believed to contain powerful blessings.
Druids gathered it with a golden sickle, cutting it at a specific time - often the sixth night of the moon, when celestial energies were thought to be strongest.
A white cloth was spread on the ground to catch the plant as it fell, preventing it from ever touching the soil, which was believed to diminish its potency.
The harvested mistletoe was used as a remedy, a protective charm, and a blessing for livestock and households during winter.
To the Druids, mistletoe symbolised life, fertility, and protection. Its evergreen leaves represented enduring vitality, while its berries were linked to renewal and the promise of rebirth - powerful themes during the bleak midwinter.
Ancient Norse & Germanic Customs
Long before it was associated with romance, mistletoe was associated with peace. In some ancient Germanic traditions, warring parties who found themselves beneath mistletoe were expected to lay down their arms and call a temporary truce. The plant’s role as a bringer of goodwill may also stem from its use in healing rituals, where it was believed to mend both physical wounds and emotional rifts.
The leap from peace to affection came naturally over time. By the Middle Ages, mistletoe had gained a reputation as a charm for fertility and romance. In Norse mythology, the goddess Frigg’s tears turned into mistletoe berries after the death of her son Baldr, leading to a legend of reconciliation and love involving the plant. This myth helped frame mistletoe as a symbol of affection and restored harmony.
The Victorian Popularisation of the Mistletoe Kiss
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe became widely popular in England during the 18th and 19th centuries. In Victorian Christmas traditions, branches of mistletoe were hung in homes, and a young woman could not refuse a kiss offered beneath it. Each kiss required plucking a berry from the sprig; when the berries were gone, the kissing privileges ended.
A Tradition Rooted in Ancient Awe
Today’s mistletoe kiss may seem lighthearted, but it whispers echoes of a time when winter rituals helped communities feel connected to the rhythms of nature and the seasons. Whether as a sacred symbol of the Druids, a token of peace, or a romantic invitation, mistletoe carries a rich history that continues to add magic to the Christmas period to this day.
