Day Eighteen: Mysterious Mistletoe

As was mentioned today in class, mistletoe was Bragi's weakness, the plant that was "too young" to be asked not to harm him. (Maybe mistletoe came to Norway later than most plants?) So why is mistletoe associated with Christmas and kissing?

According to the internet, there are two types of mistletoe: Viscum album from Europe, which is what would have killed Bragi, and Phoradendron flavescens, native to North America and used for Christmas traditions.

Viscus Album

Phoradendron Flavescens

In Europe, mistletoe was highly regarded for centuries for mystical powers. It was believed to bring fertility, protection against poison, and serve as an aphrodisiac. It was sometimes used in ceremonies involving the sacrifice of two white bulls to renew the king and his consort, so it was probably also considered a symbol of the goddess.

Meanwhile, in Greece, mistletoe was used in the festival Saturnalia and primitive marriage rites, and it became a symbol of peace. Because of this, people would meet under mistletoe with their enemies and shake hands or warring spouses would kiss under it to end conflict. The tradition of kissing under mistletoe at Christmas allegedly began in England in the eighteenth century, and anyone who remained under mistletoe without being kissed could not expect to marry in the next year.