What does Holly mean in Christmas?
Holly is the symbol of Christ's Birthday. (When love shall vanquish folly.) Christmas holly and ivy go together as good-luck plants. According to superstition, holly brings good luck to the man of the house and ivy to the lady.
What is the symbolism of the holly tree?
Holly Tree Spiritual Meaning. The Holly King. The word holly means holy It symbolizes the tenacity of life. As male energy, it is symbolic of the vigour to fight with balance and unity. Strong and protective, clear wisdom and courage. Unifying strength and restoring balance. It is no coincidence that the Oak and the Holly are side by side in ...
What does the Holly on the holly wreath represent?
What does the holly wreath symbolize? It is believed that the holly wreath, with its sharp, pointed leaves, first represented the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross, the little red berries symbolizing drops of blood. Later wreaths were formed from a variety of pines and firs, with evergreens embodying eternal life.
What is the meaning of Christmas holly?
Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red.
What does holly and ivy represent at Christmas?
What does the holly and the ivy represent in the carol? In Christian culture, the thorns of the holly represent the thorny crown worn by Jesus, while the red berries symbolise the drops of blood Jesus shed for humankind. The ivy is said to represent the Virgin Mary.
What does the name holly symbolize?
Traditionally, the Holly tree is highly sacred in Celtic mythology and symbolises peace and goodwill. Due to its resistance to lightning, it is associated with the Celtic and Norse gods of thunder, Taranis and Thor, and so was planted near dwellings to protect people from lightning strikes.
What does holly represent in Christianity?
Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red.
What is the story behind holly?
Meaning of Christmas Holly It's origins can be traced back to Northern Europe and was actually first celebrated as a plant of great importance by the Pagans. Holly was seen as a powerful fertility symbol, and was believed to be protection to ward off evil spirits, witches and ill-fortune.
How did holly become associated with Christmas?
Other inhabitants of Great Britain known as the Celts brought sprigs of holly into their homes in the winter in the belief that they sheltered woodland fairies. With the coming of Christianity, people were unwilling to give up their holly associations with the winter solstice so they used it to celebrate Christmas.
Is holly a Christmas name?
Holly is a quite popular name for baby girls born around Christmas time. Holly is also considered the December flower so the name has become synonymous with the holiday season. Audrey Hepburn portrayed one of the most memorable fictional Holly characters in “Breakfast at Tiffany's”.
What do the red berries on holly represent?
Christians adopted the tradition of decorating with holly during the winter and changed the symbolism to reflect the Christmas holidays. The thorns on the leaves represent the crown of thorns and the red berries represent the blood of Christ.
Does holly mean happy?
In the Victorian language of flowers Holly means domestic happiness.
What does red berries on holly mean?
Back in November, a number of papers reported that our holly trees were full with their bright red berries, and that according to folklore this was a sign that a hard winter was to come.
Why is holly sacred?
Some say that the sharp leaves symbolized the crown of thorns and the red berries symbolized the blood of Christ. Legend says that hollies sprang forth wherever He walked. Since ancient times, the winter solstice has been celebrated by cultures around the world as a sacred, festive time.
What is holly used for in witchcraft?
The Druids and Celts believed that hollies were a symbol of eternal life because they stayed green though the winter. They, too, brought holly branches into their homes for protection from witches and lightning strikes.
What are the red berries for Christmas called?
Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red.
What is the Hebrew name for holly?
Now let's learn how to say holly in Hebrew language....צִנִית.EnglishHebrewhollyצִנִית3 more rows
What does holy mean in the Bible?
Definition of holy 1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. 2 : divine for the Lord our God is holy — Psalms 99:9 (King James Version)
What are the superstitions of Holly?
Several superstitions are associated with the holly plant. Holly has stood for joy and peace; therefore, people have settled agreements beneath the holly tree. Holly sprigs have been believed to have the power to ward off witches, goblins, bad dreams and thunder and lightning. Lastly, if a home is decorated with a prickly type of holly, the husband will rule the home for the year. If the home is decorated with a smooth type of holly, the wife will rule.
What does the holly and the ivy mean?
A traditional old Christmas carol named "The Holly and the Ivy" describes the characteristics of the holly in terms of their meaning to Christianity. The lily-white flower of the holly tree represents the purity of Jesus Christ. The bright red berries represent His blood. The prickly edge of the leaves symbolize the crown Christ wore at His crucifixion. The bitterness of the bark is a reference to the gall, or vinegar-like wine, that Christ was given while He hung on the cross.
When do holly trees bloom?
Holly trees have sharply tipped shiny leaves that can range in color from a deep rich solid green color to a variegated white and pale green. They bloom in May and early June with white fragrant flowers that attract bees for pollination. The small, berry-like fruit is bright red and popular with several species of birds.
Why do Druids wear holly in their hair?
During the winter solstice, when the sacred oak tree had lost its leaves, the Druid priests would wear sprigs of holly in their hair as a testimony that the world would remain beautiful in spite of the desolation of the winter weather.
What Does Holly Symbolize?
For centuries this magical tree has been represented by a Holly wreath which was worn as a crown by Celtic chieftains for good luck. Traditionally, it was used to protect newborn babies from harm by bathing them in the water from the leaves. Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. The Druids regarded holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life , thought to have magical powers.
What is the significance of Holly?
The Symbolic Significance of Holly. There are certain aspects of the holidays that we simply can’t do without. From carols we sing, cookies we bake and decorations we hang, there are some things which, without them, it’s just not Christmas. Holly has taken its place as a respected staple in holiday decor, and there are plenty of reasons why.
What is Holly?
Holly is a shrub-like tree that can grow up to 10-15 feet in height. Its leaves are thick and leathery, with serrated edges and spiky points. The female versions of the tree produce the red berries we’re so used to seeing everywhere at Christmastime. The berries, though toxic to humans and most household pets, are a food sources for some birds in the winter, like robins. Birds also love to nest in holly trees during the winter months, when other trees don’t have leaves to provide warmth and protection. The evergreen nature of this tree has earned it a reputation for being enduring, if not a bit magical, throughout history.
Why is the Holly tree sacred?
Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. The Druids regarded holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life, thought to have magical powers. Holly Wreath on Old Door. Today, Christians have adopted the holly tree as a symbol for Christmas.
What is the meaning of the holly wreath?
Holly Wreath on Old Door. Today, Christians have adopted the holly tree as a symbol for Christmas. The sharp leaves are said to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Christ, while the berries represent his blood. The evergreen quality of the tree is metaphoric for eternal life. Wreath of Holly.
Is Holly a holiday plant?
Holly has taken its place as a respected staple in holiday decor, and there are plenty of reasons why. This evergreen plant is easy to include in every aspect of decorating, plus it has a long history of cultural significance, even before the Christmas holiday was observed.
Do birds like holly berries?
The berries, though toxic to humans and most household pets, are a food sources for some birds in the winter, like robins. Birds also love to nest in holly trees during the winter months, when other trees don’t have leaves to provide warmth and protection.
What does the holly symbolise?
Regardless of the etymology of the word, Christians have identified a wealth of symbolism in the form of holly. The sharpness of the leaves help to recall the crown of thorns worn by Jesus; the red berries serve as a reminder of the drops of blood that were shed for salvation, and the shape of the leaves, which resemble flames, ...
What is the meaning of the word "holly"?
Other scholars maintain however that the word holly can trace its roots to an Indo-European word meaning “prickly” or “to prick.”. Regardless of the etymology of the word, Christians have identified a wealth of symbolism in the form of holly.
What does the holly bear mean?
The holly bears a bark. As bitter as any gall; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ. For to redeem us all. From ancient times to the present, holly has had an intimate association with Christmas. An early calendar in the Church of Rome described Christmas Eve as templa exornantur, meaning “churches are decked.”.
Why do Christians wear holly in their hair?
Christians are no exception. The idea that holly repelled malice was held all throughout ancient Europe. In fact, Druids believed that holly attracted good spirits and offered protection against evil spirits. For this reason, Druid priests often wore holly in their hair during religious rituals.
What does the ivy represent in the Christmas carol?
This may shed light on the Christmas carol, “The Holly and the Ivy” in which holly is thought to represent Jesus and ivy is thought to represent Mary. The first and last verses of the song are: 1. The holly and the ivy, Now both are full well grown. The holly bears the crown. 5. The holly bears a bark.
What did the Romans believe about holly?
Ancient Romans believed holly could repel all kinds of malice (natural disasters, dark magic and even vicious animals). They also thought that holly was sacred to the god Saturn. Thus, during Saturnalia, the feast celebrated in his name, holly could be found in abundance.
How tall does a holly tree grow?
As a Christmas symbol, holly is generally portrayed as a small cluster of berries and leaves, so it may be surprising to learn that holly trees can grow to enormous heights (over 50 feet). Some even grow in the familiar shape of the Christmas tree – a spectacular sight when decorated by nature’s own red berries.
Holly in Ancient Cultures
Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. While other plants wilted in winter weather, holly remained green and strong, its berries a brightly colored red in the harshest of conditions.
Holly Is Associated with Christmas
Early Christian calendars mark Christmas Eve as templa exornatur, meaning “churches are decked,” though supposedly Saturnalia celebrators didn’t allow some Christians to hang boughs in honor of Christmas. Christians adopted the holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, and its symbolism changed to reflect Christian beliefs.
Holly as Modern Holiday Decor
Knowing now how pervasive holly is throughout history in winter celebrations, it’s no wonder we continue to include it in our biggest winter festival each year. The beauty of this magnificent tree coupled with the long list of stories and legends that come with it make holly a beautiful symbol of Christmas.
What does the holly leaf symbolize?
A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross. Holly is known as christdorn in German, meaning "Christ thorn.". Both of these symbols are meant to serve as a reminder to Christians of Jesus' suffering, but they aren't the only stories tying holly to Jesus.
What do the holly berries represent?
Today, Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.
What is the history of Holly?
History of Holly. Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. While other plants wilted in winter weather, holly remained green and strong, its berries a brightly colored red in the harshest of conditions.
Why do people hang holly plants in their homes?
In contrast, hanging the plant in homes was believed to bring good luck and protection. Holly was also thought to protect homes against lightning strikes. Romans associated holly with Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest, and decked the halls with its boughs during the festival of Saturnalia. Advertisement.
When was the American Holly established?
The American Holly ( Ilex Opaca) was established as the official state tree of Delaware in 1939. In the 1930s, Delaware was the holly capital of the U.S.A., employing more than 8,500 in the wreath-making business. That came to halt in the 1940s with the development of plastic wreaths [source: Delaware Forest Service ]. People Christmas Research.
What is the meaning of Christmas holly?
Being a common part of the winter landscape, Christmas holly provided a free and easy way for even the poorest of families to decorate their homes for the holidays. As with so many other symbols of holly has been a religious symbol in many parts of the world for over 2000 years. Ancient Romans associated holly with their Sun god, Saturn.
Why is Christmas holly important?
And so Christmas holly helps reaffirm their faith, regardless of whether their beliefs are based in fact. Because of all the associations with the Crucifixion and its prevalence in the Wintertime, Christmas holly was soon embraced as a symbolic Christmas decoration all across Catholic Ireland.
What do the green leaves on the holly represent?
The prickly green leaves of the holly are a reminder to early Celtic Christians of the crown of thorns Jesus wore on the day of the Crucifixion. The bright red berries symbolized the blood of Christ spilled for the sins of mankind.
What is holly used for?
An early mark of Celtic hospitality. Since holly is often used as shelter by the tiniest of woodland creatures, especially flying insects, it's easy to see how this superstition developed. Click here to return to the TOP of the page.
What do Druids believe about Holly?
Being the evergreen plant that it is, the Druids believed holly to be very special. While all the deciduous trees' leaves were drying up and falling away, the holly leaves kept the landscape green and beautiful.
What do Druids use holly leaves for?
They would use tea brewed with holly leaves to treat a wide range of medical conditions such as arthritis, kidney stones, and bronchitis. But the power of Christmas holly went beyond its medicinal value... Being the evergreen plant that it is, the Druids believed holly to be very special.
Why did the holly berries grow white?
Some even say that Christ was crucified on a holly tree. Another Christian legend claims that holly miraculously grew to hide the Holy Family from Herod's soldiers.
What is the Holly symbol?
liz west/CC-BY 2.0. Holly is a religious symbol in many parts of the world. Ancient Romans associated it with their sun god, Saturn, whilst Celtic lore believe it represents the eighth month of the Tree Calendar. In Celtic mythology, the Holly King ruled from summer to winter solstice, representing the darker half of the year.
What does the Holly King represent?
Ancient Celts decorated their homes with the brightness of holly berries, believing it to be a symbol of luck.
