December 16, 2007

• Yuletide Traditions: Holly

  Holly

  

  Also known as: Aquifolius, Bat’s wings, Christ’s thorn, Holin, Hollin, Holm, Holme chase, Holy tree, Hulm, Hulver bush, Tinne.

  Holly was originally known as aquifolium or agrifolium, meaning “having pointed leaves.” This carried over into the scientific name of the European holly, Ilex aquifolium. Its new world counterpart is Ilex opaca, meaning “dark” or “shaded” and referring to the dusky color of the American plant’s leaves. The holly is an evergreen bush with glossy green leaves. German folklore said that if a families brought the smooth, thornless holly indoors for decoration, the wife would rule the household in the coming year. The husband would rule if the leaves were thorny. Holly plants are dioecious (either male or female, not both). The female hollies have berries, while male hollies do not. Though small animals will eat the berries and deer and cows may browse on the leaves, the entire plant is inedible and poisonous to humans. When the young tips are fed to cows, it is said to improve their milk and butter. It will also improve the appetite of rabbits if they are given a holly stick to gnaw in their hutch.

  In the Druidic alphabet, holly corresponds with tinne (T). Holly represented heroism and was associated with Cu Chulainn. In Teutonic tribes, holly was associated mother Holle (a variation of the Norse underworld goddess Hel). In fact, the word hole also comes from her name from the Germanic hohle, meaning cave… a yonic symbol of the Goddess in many cultures. She is also called Halja, Hilde, Hunlda, Holde, Helle, Hol, and Hella. Witches who favored this goddess made wands of holly wood. It is also a suitable wood for ritual knives. Mother Holle is the patron of newborns and is charged with naming them, the symbolic equivalent of giving them souls. This naming ritual is called the hollekreisch baptism. The red berries are consider symbolic of her life-giving lunar blood (menstrual), just as the white berries of the mistletoe are the oak-god‘s seed. Like Santa Claus, Mother Holle controls the weather and dispenses gifts.

  Many ancient Europeans perceived holly as a plant with curative powers. It was used as folk medicine for toothache, measles and dog bites. Scratching the legs with a holly branch was said to ward off fever. New milk drunk from a cup made of variegated holly was supposed to cure whooping cough. However, holly should not be ingested. It is poisonous for humans, especially the berries.

  Holly was the sacred plant of Saturn and was used at the Roman Saturnalia festival to honor him. Romans gave one another holly wreaths and carried them about, decorating images of Saturn with it. Although holly use in English decoration celebrating Saturnalia (December 12) dates from Roman times, its use as a Christmas decoration is dates only from the reign of Henry VI (1422-1461). Fresh green holly is the “wintry emblem” referred to in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Londoners decked their shops, homes and churches with holly in Dickens’ time. There are many traditions and superstitions associated with holly. Some have referred to it as the Holy Tree and claim that it first grew in Christ’s footsteps. In Christian mythology, its red berries and spring leaves came to represent the crucifixion. In the English carol, “The Holly and the Ivy,” the white holly flowers represent Mary and the red berries represent Christ’s blood. According to tradition, the pointy leaves represent the thorns of Christ’s Crown. Before that time, the berries were supposedly yellow. In honor to the blood shed by Christ, the berries turned red. The perennial green leaves represent eternal life. One tradition say that white berries represent Jesus’ purity, the green berries the cross of wood, and the black berries his death. The bitter bark is also said to represent the passion.

  According to Pliny the Elder, holly flowers had the ability to turn water to ice. In folklore, holly provides shelter for elves and fairies who will repay their keep by preventing house goblins from doing mischief. Pliny asserted that planted near a house or farm, holly repels poison and protects against lightning and malicious or mischievous witchcraft. Coachmen who traveled by night would always have a whip made from a holly branch. The wood, if thrown at any animal, should compel it lie down by it, even if one were unsuccessful in hitting the animal. Holly water, sprinkled on a newborn, was also protective, probably due to the plant’s connection with Mother Holle. Conversely, it was thought to be extremely unlucky to cut a holly tree down. Apparently trimming it for decorations was acceptable, but it was a protected tree and should never be cut down.

  • 6:05 pm
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