Holly and Its Legends
The recollection of the song, “The Holly and the Ivy,” made me wonder a bit today about the significance and the symbolism of “holly.” This is what I learned. A legend that is told worldwide is that when King Herod sent his soldiers to find and slaughter any male children, Mary attempted to hide baby Jesus under a scraggly bush. Immediately, the leaves began to grow to plush proportions and the wee child was spared.
Holly survives in the coldest climates and is available in many places to bring into the home as a decoration. It is believed that holly once had white berries, but that the crown that was placed on Jesus’ head caused blood to stream over the berries, transforming them to the red color we know today. For Christians, holly can be a symbol of Christ’s sacrificial blood.
The Ancient Druids that occupied Ireland viewed holly as a religious symbol that possessed mystical powers. This superstition carried forward to the Celtic people who inhabited the same area. They placed holly at entry points of the house, thinking that it would ward off evil spirits.
Even the ancient Romans used holly while observing their December 12th Festival of Saturnalia, a special celebration to honor the Sun God, Saturn. The god supposedly favored holly by allowing it to retain its deep green color all year long.
The holly bush was thought by Roman scientist, Pliny the Elder, (23 A.D.-79 A.D.) to have the ability to convert water to ice.
Some Christmas traditions are observed in song and in action, without our giving even a thought as to the custom’s origin. I thought you might enjoy learning all of the above. Next time you hear the song, “The Holly and the Ivy,” perhaps you will recall these tales.
Patricia Cummings
