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Mistletoe is a very interesting plant, as it is a partial parasite (a hemiparasite). As a parasitic plant, it grows on the branches or trunk of a tree and actually sends out roots that penetrate into the tree and take up nutrients.
From early times, mistletoe has been considered magical, mysterious and a very sacred plant in European folklore. It was considered to bestow life and fertility, offering protection again poison and also being an aphrodisiac.
Kissing under the mistletoe is believed to first be associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia, and later with primitive marriage rites. In the Greek festival of Saturnalia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce - "kiss and make up". Later, in the eighteenth century, the English credited mistletoe with a magical appeal, calling it a "kissing ball". At Christmas time, a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons and ornaments cannot refuse to be kissed.
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What is the origin custom of hanging mistletoe?
It was said to have had magical power by the Celtic and Teutonic peoples.
Why does the mistletoe exist?
Ecologically, mistletoe plays an important role in enhancing diversity in an ecosystem as well as provide a means for distribution of pollen.Culturally, mistletoe has significance in Christmas as well as Druidic and Nordic mythology. The former is the custom of kissing under the mistletoe, the origin of which is from Druidic customs of using mistletoe to ward off evil. It was also said that Loki killed Balder with an arrow made of mistletoe, because that was the one plant Frigga had not asked to never harm her son.
Does mistletoe mean 'dung on a twig' in Anglo saxon?
Mistletoe is the modern English form of the Old English (or Anglo-Saxon) word mistilan which also referred to the parasitic plant which forms a part of Christmas decorations. The ultimate origin of the word is obscure.
What is mistletoe called in England?
Mistletoe!
What is the plural of mistletoe?
Mistletoes is the plural of mistletoe
What are the songs in the album under the mistletoe?
mistletoe
Where did the legend of kissing some under the mistletoe come from?
According to Christmas custom, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. The custom may be of Scandinavian origin.[16] It was described as early as 1820 by Washington Irving in his "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon"
What are the common names of the mistletoe plant?
Common names for the mistletoe plant include European mistletoe, American mistletoe, and Christmas mistletoe.
What is the scientific name for mistletoe?
Mistletoe is a plant belonging to the order Santalales.There are over 900 species of mistletoe but the mistletoe that is commonly sold for Christmas is the species Phoradendron flavescens.
Where does mistletoe live?
Mistletoe is a parasite that lives on other trees, Oak trees have Mistletoe in them quite often.
How do you say mistletoe in Germany?
Mistletoe in German is: Mistel
What does mistletoe?
Mistletoe was thought to be sacred by the Ancient Europeans.
