Mistletoe and Kissing

[Caropooh]

DD7 wants to know why you kiss under the mistletoe. DH and I didn't know, but we sure knew who to come to, to find out!!

 

[Cantw8]

The Druids considered the mistletoe to be a sacred plant and believed it had miraculous properties which could cure illnesses, serve as an antidote against poisons, ensure fertility and protect against the ill effects of witchcraft. Moreover, whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day. From this has seemingly come the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

Another version, however, says that this custom, which was widespread among the Anglo-Saxons, was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.


Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries as well as in Canada. Thus if a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. In France, the custom linked to mistletoe was reserved for New Year’s Day: "Au gui l’An neuf" (Mistletoe for the New Year). Today, kisses can be exchanged under the mistletoe any time during the holiday season.

 

[brasswillow]

Mistletoe figured prominently in Norse mythology (whence the modern Western custom of kissing under bunches of it hung as holiday decorations).

According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. The origin of this custom may be related to the story of Baldur coming back to life because of his mother Frigga (or Frigg), the goddess of love who removed the mistletoe's poison with her tears. When Baldur came back to life she kissed everyone who passed underneath the mistletoe out of happiness and gratitude and thus started the custom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe

 

[Crankyshank]

It's a pagan tradition. Druids used it in fertility rituals that occured during the summer and winter solstice. It was also part of Saturnalia. Primarily, the kissing under the misletoe is from the Norse - it's the sacred plant of Frigga, goddess of love, and kissing under it was a sign of peace and remembrance of the resurrection of Baldor

 

[The Mayor]

The Druids considered the mistletoe to be a sacred plant and believed it had miraculous properties which could cure illnesses, serve as an antidote against poisons, ensure fertility and protect against the ill effects of witchcraft. Moreover, whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day. From this has seemingly come the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

Another version, however, says that this custom, which was widespread among the Anglo-Saxons, was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.


Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries as well as in Canada. Thus if a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. In France, the custom linked to mistletoe was reserved for New Year’s Day: "Au gui l’An neuf" (Mistletoe for the New Year). Today, kisses can be exchanged under the mistletoe any time during the holiday season.

Did writing all that give you a headache

 

[salmoneous]

Pagens schmagens. And I'm not buying the Norse Gods either.

I think it obvious the misletoe thing was started by some dude (or dudette) that liked kissing people and thought up the whole thing as a scam

 

[Crankyshank]

Pagens schmagens. And I'm not buying the Norse Gods either.

I think it obvious the misletoe thing was started by some dude (or dudette) that liked kissing people and thought up the whole thing as a scam

Well it really came into popular culture during the Victorian times. It probably was some poor guy's only way to kiss a woman without having to propose marriage first

 

[Cantw8]

Did writing all that give you a headache

psssst...check out my edit comment

 

[The Mayor]

psssst...check out my edit comment

I knew it...compared to what you mostly post that seemed too lucid and intelligent to come from you

 

[Towncrier]

The highlight of my Christmas trip to WDW in 2004 was when my wife and I were watching at the UK pavillion at Epcot watching the presentation. When it came time to explain the tradition of mistletoe, Father Christmas came over to us and held the mistletoe over our heads. I immediately leaned over and kissed my DW Sue. It was a magical moment for both of us. And KayTX just happened to be there videotaping, so we have it on video too. Thanks to Kay and to WDW for that special Christmas moment.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I have a mistletoe ball hanging in the doorway between my kitchen and dining room year round---I had hung it last year and it was so nice to be running around doing something and DH would grab me and plant one that I decided to keep it up!
People would come over and ask if we forgot to take it down but in the past year many kisses have been exchanged under that mistletoe by us and our friends that is just nice to have it there as a reminder.
Plus if DH and I are arguing and we both cross thru that doorway at the same time the fight is over because the rule says you have to kiss under the mistletoe and you can't kiss and fight at the same time!

 

[Cantw8]

I knew it...compared to what you mostly post that seemed too lucid and intelligent to come from you

who you calling loose?

 

[horsegirl]

who you calling loose?

You! All over this kissin' thread instead of usin' yer brains for riddlin'. Geesh. I have to go and find you, you playing hard to g8?

 

[Cantw8]

You! All over this kissin' thread instead of usin' yer brains for riddlin'. Geesh. I have to go and find you, you playing hard to g8?

Hey, Horsegirl....quit "nagging" me Bwahahahahahaha

 

[horsegirl]

Hey, Horsegirl....quit "nagging" me Bwahahahahahaha

Neighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!