The Christmas Kissing Tradition
“A man had given all other bliss, and all his worldly worth for this, to waste his whole heart in one kiss upon her perfect lips.” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
The centuries-old tradition of kissing under the mistletoe makes Christmas even more special. Ancient lovers actually believed that a kiss would literally unite their souls because the spirit was said to be carried in one’s breath.
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It has been a common practice that when we decorate for Christmas, we include hanging mistletoes above door ways or in the center of the room for people to kiss under. Kissing under the mistletoe is linked with the Greek festival, and with ancient marriage rites. Mistletoe was thought to have the power of granting fertility, and the dung from which the mistletoe was thought to crop up was also said to have “life-giving” power.
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Mistletoe is frequently used as a Christmas decoration, but it actually grows as a parasite on trees. Its name was taken from the ancient belief that it grew from bird droppings. It was observed in ancient times that mistletoe would often appear on a branch or twig where birds had left droppings. The name “mistletoe” means “dung-on-a-twig”.
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From the ancient times, mistletoe was considered a giver of life and fertility; a protection against poison; and an aphrodisiac. During the middle ages and the concluding years, branches of mistletoe were hung from ceilings to defend the house and all who dwells in it from evil spirits.
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In the eighteenth-century, the English credited a certain magical appeal to it called a kissing ball. At Christmas time, a young lady who would stand under a ball of mistletoe brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse not to be kissed. Such a kiss could mean deep romance, lasting friendship, or goodwill. If she remained unkissed, she cannot expect not to marry the following year.
Image via Google Images
The custom of couples in love exchanging kisses under the mistletoe is taken to mean as a promise to marry, and a prediction of happiness and long life. Kisses exchanged under it can be done at any time during the holiday season which makes Christmas celebrations fun.
Image via Google Images
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User Comments
Themax
On November 21, 2009 at 2:08 pm
very informative article upon kisses!
well done Al, beautiful picture combination also!
I like that last one very much,Very cute thanks
ken bultman
On November 21, 2009 at 2:45 pm
A lovely little essay and I liked it a lot. I had to chuckle though because dung on a stick is what we ate in the Navy but they called it something else.
sweet sunshine143
On November 21, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Very nice article. well-written. I was 17 years old the last time I kissed someone under the mistletoe. It brought a smile to my face.
Teves
On November 21, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! http://www.articlespost.page.tl
deep blue
On November 21, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Very well written, couldn’t ask for more, kabayan.
Mystify
On November 21, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Very informative,intersting and well written article! You had some great historical facts and information about the mistletoe! Excellent work Alma!
Ruby Hawk
On November 21, 2009 at 10:22 pm
It’s a sweet custom. I used to hang it above all the doors but i haven’t even seen any mistletoe lately. My boys used to go out in the woods and shoot it from top of the oak trees. That’s been a while ago.
Christine Ramsay
On November 22, 2009 at 3:11 am
I enjoyed that. It is good to learn about the history of kissing under the mistletoe. Nice work.
Christine
abhishek40914
On November 22, 2009 at 3:52 am
very nice article. Marry Christmas
papaleng
On November 22, 2009 at 5:36 am
Thank you Alama, for educating us with the true meaning of Christmas Kissing tradition. Pamasko ko, kabayan, huwag mong kalimutan..
Priyanka Bhowmick
On November 23, 2009 at 2:23 am
i din kno of this tradition..sounds cool…cute pics..thanx a lot for sharing…
Kartik06
On November 23, 2009 at 9:11 am
I love those wonderful pictures.Thanks for the post
palak2008
On November 23, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Cute pics…thanks
LOVELY HONEY
On November 23, 2009 at 2:47 pm
all that i love in life is a beautiful kiss
and thats the only thing i miss
i read today
REAGAN DARED TO AND DID KISS QUEEN ELIZABETHS MOTHER
SHE RETORTED LATER
BUT HE AS PRESIDENT COULD GET AWAY WITH IT
I CAN ONLY NOW SEND FLYING KISSES TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE ME TOO
cutedrishti8
On November 24, 2009 at 9:49 am
The First and last images are so cute…
shanthu
On November 24, 2009 at 9:51 am
lovely…
clay hurtubise
On November 24, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Smoooooooooooooooooch!
Thanks,
Clay
xtine
On November 27, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Sobrang ganda ng article mo Alma. Christmas is fast approaching, thanks for giving us much info on what real christmas kissing is
Anamika S
On November 28, 2009 at 1:48 am
I did not know about this. Thanks for sharing.
Nice Pictures too!
jengriver
On November 28, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Ang cute ng article mo! Salamat sa pagbahagi!
Allena Impire
On November 30, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Goodselfme
On November 30, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Nicely shared piece.Thank you for the history lesson. I like mistletoe and now even more knowing what it meant.
PhoenixRox
On December 2, 2009 at 4:53 am
Since I am not a Christian, I did know about the mistletoe tradition, but had no clue as to why it was done. How nice to learn
LitWurst
On December 4, 2009 at 1:52 am
Wow. That dung-on-twig bit was certainly a surprise. Thanks for the interesting article!
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