2006-11-30 05:30:51 · 2 answers · asked by Proud_Army_Wife26 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Ancient Romans believed that mistletoe had the magic power of peace. If opposing soldiers met under a mistletoe covered tree they would temporarily put down their weapons and declare peace for the day. In later times, in both England and Scandinavia, it was customary to hang mistletoe over doorways. Anyone who passed under supposedly came in peace and was greeted in a friendly manner, perhaps with a kiss. This probably accounts for the current custom of kissing under the mistletoe,
One Scandinavian legend states that Loki, the god of destruction, killed Baldur, the god of peace, by shooting him with an arrow made from mistletoe. Other gods and goddesses were saddened by Baldur's death and asked that his life be restored, which it was. In appreciation, his mother, Frigga, hung up the mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed under it. Because of this, mistletoe became the symbol of both forgiveness and love.
2006-12-01 08:41:46 · answer #1 · answered by Heather <33 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As I recall it, it used to be hung as a signal that people who were enemies were meeting as mutual neutral. They would neither one raise hand or weapon against the other. It started as a handshake.
2006-11-30 14:02:11 · answer #2 · answered by Indigo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋