Search results
pinterest.com
- Holly has also been thought to protect the home – the holly you put around the door acting as flypaper for fairies, trapping any evil spirits who try to enter. Holly and Ivy are often linked together at Christmas; this goes back much further, to the idea of the holly (male) and ivy (female) being burnt together at the pagan festival of Beltane.
theconversation.com/the-holly-and-the-ivy-how-pagan-practices-found-their-way-into-christmas-52343The holly and the ivy: how pagan practices found their way ...
People also ask
Why do Holly & Ivy go together at Christmas?
Are holly & ivy related at Christmas?
How old is Holly & the Ivy?
Where did Holly & Ivy come from?
What is Holly and the Ivy Christmas Carol?
Are ivy & holly Christmas decorations?
Dec 20, 2016 · Holly and Ivy are often linked together at Christmas; this goes back much further, to the idea of the holly (male) and ivy (female) being burnt together at the pagan festival of Beltane. Ivy, like holly, is an important evergreen edible plant species in UK woodland.
- Ancient-Origins
Ancient Romans used holly as decor during Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, god of agriculture and husbandry. Holly's symbolism of the new season made it an appropriate and colorful ornament for winter festivities. The use of ivy during winter also goes back thousands of years.
Dec 23, 2015 · Holly and Ivy are often linked together at Christmas; this goes back much further, to the idea of the holly (male) and ivy (female) being burnt together at the pagan festival of Beltane. Ivy,...
- Peter Glaves
"The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional British folk Christmas carol, listed as number 514 in the Roud Folk Song Index. The song can be traced only as far as the early nineteenth century, but the lyrics reflect an association between holly and Christmas dating at least as far as medieval times.
- Holly Folklore
- Yew Folklore
- Ivy Folklore
- Mistletoe Folklore
- What Do Wreaths symbolise?
The Holly tree has a rich library of folklore, a stack of old wives tales and plenty of superstitions caught between it’s prickly branches. It’s evergreen leaves and bright berries reflect light and add colour to the darker days of winter and the spiky leaves were often thought to ward off mischievous spirits. In Celtic mythology, the Holly King ru...
According to a recent Guardian article, Britain is home to far more ancient yews than any other country in Europe. The Ancient Yew Group has identified 978 ancient or veteran yews (more than 500 years old) in England and 407 in Wales; it is an ancient tree steeped in rich folklore with a close connection to death and rebirth. Old Norse and Celtic b...
Like holly, ivy has been revered for keeping its leaves over winter and was likewise associated with eternal life. It was thought to help with the recovery of sick animals and in Shropshire, a piece of ivy was fed to animals before midday on Christmas day to keep the evil spirits away for the coming year. Holly, ivy and other greenery were also use...
The ancient Druids also believed mistletoe to be an indicator of great sacredness. The Winter Solstice, called ‘Alban Arthan’ , was according to Bardic Tradition, the time when the Chief Druid would cut the sacred mistletoe from the Oak. According to the Anglo-Saxons, kissing under the mistletoe was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love...
Hanging a circular wreath of evergreens during mid winter is an ancient practice. It might have started back in Roman times when wreaths were hung on their doors as a sign of victory and of their high status. Wreaths are part of many ancient traditions dating back to the earliest civilizations. The circle is a symbol of immortality; throughout hist...
According to historians, the ivy represents the Virgin Mary and the holly represents Christ, with it’s thorns, flame-like shape, and bright, vibrant colors that bloom during the Christmastime season. Although the first printing of the carol was 1710, it was anthologized as a much older folk song.
Dec 18, 2015 · One of the best-loved of Christmas carols, “The Holly and the Ivy” has a gentle tune to flatter girlish soprano voices and an easy chorus for the rest of the crowd.
