Kiss me under The mistletoe
The history of the festive plant
The Celtic Druids believed that mistletoe was a symbol of fertility because it could survive the harsh winters and still bear berries. It was used in elixirs designed to cure infertility and sprigs of it would also be hung over doorways as protection against evil spirits.
In Norse mythology, the tale of Baldr — the son of Odin and Frigg — is associated with mistletoe. There was a prophecy that Baldr would die and so Frigg, the goddess of love, made every creature and plant on Earth promise to never hurt him. However, she failed to ask the harmless mistletoe and so Loki made an arrow out of the plant, which he used to kill Baldr. Frigg was devastated and it was said that her tears formed the mistletoe’s white berries. In one version of the tale, Baldr was restored to life and Frigg blessed the plant as a symbol of love, swearing to kiss anyone who walked under it.
At some point in the 18th century, mistletoe became ingrained in Christmas tradition, although it is unknown how and why it became a fixture of festive celebrations in the first place.