Can someone tell me why they kiss under the mistletoe???

Answer 1

Mistletoe was held in great reverence by the Druids. They went forth clad in white robes to search for the sacred plant, and when it was discovered, one of the Druids ascended the tree and gathered it with great ceremony, separating it from the Oak with a golden knife. The Mistletoe was always cut at a particular age of the moon, at the beginning of the year, and it was only sought for when the Druids declared they had visions directing them to seek it. When a great length of time elapsed without this happening, or if the Mistletoe chanced to fall to the ground, it was considered as an omen that some misfortune would befall the nation. The Druids held that the Mistletoe protected its possessor from all evil, and that the oaks on which it was seen growing were to be respected because of the wonderful cures which the priests were able to effect with it. They sent round their attendant youth with branches of the Mistletoe to announce the entrance of the new year. It is probable that the custom of including it in the decoration of our homes at Christmas, giving it a special place of honour, is a survival of this old custom

Answer 2

The Druids considered the mistletoe to be a sacred plant and believed it had miraculous properties which could cure illnesses, serve as an antidote against poisons, ensure fertility and protect against the ill effects of witchcraft. Moreover, whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day. From this has seemingly come the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

Another version, however, says that this custom, which was widespread among the Anglo-Saxons, was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.


Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries as well as in Canada. Thus if a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. In France, the custom linked to mistletoe was reserved for New Year’s Day: "Au gui l’An neuf" (Mistletoe for the New Year). Today, kisses can be exchanged under the mistletoe any time during the holiday season.

Answer 3

Most people associate mistletoe with kissing as it's customary for anyone caught standing under a sprig of this plant (often strategically placed in a doorway) to receive a kiss. But did you know that mistletoe, now considered a Christmas plant, was used as a religious symbol in pagan rites centuries before the time of Christ? To the ancient Druids of Britain it was a sacred symbol with both magical powers and medicinal properties.

These ancient people believed mistletoe could cure diseases, make animals and humans more fertile, provide protection from witches, and bring good luck. In fact, mistletoe was so sacred to the Druids that if two enemies met beneath a tree on which it was growing, they would lay down their weapons, exchange greetings, and observe a truce until the following day!

Answer 4

Mistletoe is commonly used as a Christmas decoration. Viscum album is used in Europe whereas Phoradendron leucarpum is used in North America. According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. The origin of this custom may be related to the story of Baldur coming back to life because of his mother Frigga (or Frigg), the goddess of love who removed the mistletoe's poison with her tears. When Baldur came back to life she kissed everyone who passed underneath the mistletoe out of happiness and gratitude and thus started the custom. [citation needed] Roman sources also mention misletoe was used by the celts in some sort of fertility rite or charm making the practise of kissing under it even more intriguing. Hence why mistletoe is used at Christmas, a time of love and joy.

Answer 5

In pre-christian Celtic, Roman and Germanic Europe the winter solstice was a feast of rebirth, not only of the new sun, but also of the souls of those ancestors that wanted to/had to be reborn.
Hence it was an orgiastic feast, where breaking the marriage vows would not be considered as serious as in normal times, or even be condoned.
Mistletoe was the "tree" of rebirth, a refuge for the souls of the dead, and having it around would be considered auspicious for rebirth.
All that's left these days is the kissing, but mistletoe is still not used for Christmas decoration in churches anywhere in Europe, the old connotations seem to have survived in the collective subconscious.

Answer 6

it's a good old tradition still being kept alive ! It's a good way to finally get that kiss from that certain someone , you have been waiting for ! Just be sure you drag him under there ! And say : Oh look Mistletoe

Answer 7

i never knew why. but its just another excuse for me to kiss my baby. yay!
here:
uses and mythology
Mistletoe figured prominently in Norse mythology (whence the modern Western custom of kissing under bunches of it hung as holiday decorations). The god Baldur was killed with a weapon made of mistletoe. In Celtic mythology and in Druid rituals, it was considered an antidote to poison, but contact with its berries produces a rash similar to the poison ivy rash in people who are sensitive to it (as many are), so the whole plant came to be thought of as poisonous.
[more]
Nowadays, mistletoe is commonly used as a Christmas decoration. Viscum album is used in Europe whereas Phoradendron leucarpum is used in North America. According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. The origin of this custom may be related to the story of Baldur coming back to life because of his mother Frigga (or Frigg), the goddess of love who removed the mistletoe's poison with her tears. When Baldur came back to life she kissed everyone who passed underneath the mistletoe out of happiness and gratitude and thus started the custom. [citation needed] Roman sources also mention misletoe was used by the celts in some sort of fertility rite or charm making the practise of kissing under it even more intriguing. Hence why mistletoe is used at Christmas, a time of love and joy.

Answer 8

Mistletoe is a plant that was considered to be a fertility symbol by the Celts, because it grew on wood, and is an evergreen.

Answer 9

A long time ago there was people who thought that they went on a date. The man brought a misltoe because he didnt have that much money. Then he cameup with the idea of kissing her. It just so happened that themisltoe was above them. Then the man noticed that and he liked the idea of it. Its a true story!!!!!!!

Answer 10

The pagans considered the white berries to be like seman so I guess thats why.