Kissing under the mistletoe – a tradition full of magic.
Kissing under the mistletoe is one of the most popular Christmas customs, which came to Poland from England. An evergreen shrub that blooms and bears fruit in winter, symbolizes the will to live and infinity. According to tradition, mistletoe brought into the house and hung in the right place is supposed to bring happiness to the household.
Romantic properties of mistletoe
The Celts attributed romantic properties to mistletoe, considering it an aphrodisiac. During the New Year holidays, mistletoe sprigs were hung from the ceiling, and the place under the bush became the center of the holiday world. A kiss under the mistletoe was supposed to guarantee love happiness.
Mistletoe in Polish tradition
In Poland, mistletoe was also known as wintergreen, homela, wintergreen or tangle. Mistletoe twigs in the home attracted happiness, wealth, love and harmony. The plant protected against evil forces and lightning, and placed in a child's cradle, it warded off nightmares. Mistletoe also had a positive effect on health, and added to a bath, it restored vitality.
When to decorate your home with mistletoe?
For many people, mistletoe is an inseparable element of holiday decorations, next to the Christmas tree. According to tradition, to bring good luck and success in the coming year, it must be brought home at the right time.
Traditions and superstitions related to mistletoe
Mistletoe, symbolizing vitality and infinity, should be hung above the Christmas Eve table to fulfill the wishes of the household. According to tradition, sprigs of mistletoe are placed on Christmas Eve, preferably above the table or in the front door. It is worth remembering that according to superstition, mistletoe should not be thrown away after the holidays. The twigs should be kept until the next Christmas Eve, and before bringing in a new one, the old one should be burned so that luck does not leave the house.
It is therefore worth organizing time to decorate the house with mistletoe, so that you can fully enjoy its positive energy during the holiday season.
The cultural significance of mistletoe
Mistletoe, a plant with extraordinary properties, has fascinated people for centuries and gained a special place in culture. Its unique place of occurrence, high in trees, makes it seem to have „fallen from the sky& The lack of contact with the earth means that mistletoe functions in the border zone, between the bottom and the top, which gives it mediating qualities.
Mistletoe as a symbol of the sacred
The border where mistletoe grows is a place where the sacred manifests itself. This plant, in contact with this area, gains magical properties. Its characteristic change of color to yellow-gold when it dries up, associated with the afterlife, additionally emphasizes its uniqueness. Mistletoe, evergreen and capable of bearing fruit in harsh winter conditions, symbolizes indestructibility and resistance to adversity.
All these features make mistletoe not only a plant, but also a carrier of deep cultural meanings that reflect human desires and the secrets of nature.
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