Mistletoe in mythology - especially during Advent
- Written by Portal Editor
Our visit to the Christmas market in Naumburg yesterday has once again deepened the mystery of the customs surrounding the mistletoe that is hung on front doors during Advent - what is the truth behind this ancient mythology?
Is it just a commercial product for sale?
Mistletoe became a myth in ancient Greece
The druid Miraculux, known from the Asterix comics, only appears much later!
This famous custom originally comes from England. In the 18th century, the mistletoe berries were supposedly called "kissing balls". According to tradition, the custom says: If two people meet under a mistletoe, they are allowed to kiss. This kiss stands for romance on the one hand and friendship on the other. If a woman who is standing under a mistletoe is not kissed, she will not get married the following year.
Mistletoe to ward off evil spirits and demons
The mistletoe is actually more of a parasite, because the mistletoe pushes its root-like haustoria deep into the branches and ducts of its host tree, weakening it and this also has a negative effect on the fruit, for example on an apple tree. If you want to harvest fruit, you should therefore not leave any mistletoe on the apple tree.
Mistletoe is one of the plants that benefit from climate change. They particularly like to attack trees that are already damaged and weaken them further. Mistletoes should always be removed from the garden.
Please read as well:
Christmassy Naumburg - Christmas in the courtyards and cellars
Literally getting old - mounds and megalithic tombs near Lohmen