Why People Hang Mistletoe at Christmas: Meaning, History & Traditions
Hanging mistletoe during Christmas is a tradition steeped in ancient customs, mythology, and evolving social practices.
Updated 01/11/2025
Each December, as holly wreaths are hung and twinkling lights appear in windows, another tradition quietly takes its place above doorways and archways — the hanging of mistletoe. Its pale green leaves and white berries have become a familiar sign of the season, a small but powerful emblem of love, peace, and good fortune. Yet few realise that this charming custom is rooted in thousands of years of mythology, pagan ritual, and ancient healing lore. From the Druids’ oak groves to Norse legends and Victorian parlours, mistletoe’s story is as old as winter itself — and its symbolism continues to enchant us each Christmas. Today, we hang it not only to invite a playful kiss, but to honour an enduring spirit of connection that has bridged cultures, faiths, and centuries.
The Ancient Origins of Mistletoe Traditions
Before Christianity reached northern Europe, mistletoe already held sacred meaning for ancient peoples. The Druids and Celts regarded it as a divine plant that symbolised life in the midst of winter. Because it grew high in oak trees — often without visible roots — they saw it as a mystical bridge between heaven and earth.
Druid Rituals and Winter Solstice Ceremonies
During the winter solstice, Druid priests would climb into oak trees to harvest mistletoe using a golden sickle, ensuring that no part of it touched the ground. The sprigs were wrapped in white cloth and divided among the people, believed to bring protection, fertility, and good health throughout the cold months ahead. It was also thought to ward off evil spirits and offer safe passage through the darkest time of year.
Celtic Symbolism of Life and Renewal
To the Celts, mistletoe represented renewal — a promise that even in the dead of winter, life endured. Its evergreen leaves and berries stood as a reminder of hope and continuity, a meaning that fits perfectly with today’s Christmas celebrations.
Mistletoe in Norse Mythology: The Tale of Baldur
The mistletoe’s presence in Norse mythology gives it a deeply emotional backstory. According to legend, Baldur, the god of light and purity, was loved by all the gods. His mother, Frigg, asked every plant and creature to promise not to harm him — but she overlooked mistletoe, considering it too small to pose a threat.
The trickster god Loki fashioned a spear from mistletoe and deceived Baldur’s blind brother into throwing it, killing Baldur instantly. Frigg’s tears fell upon the plant and turned into white berries, and when Baldur was later restored to life, she declared mistletoe a symbol of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. From that moment, anyone who passed beneath it was to receive a kiss — an act of peace rather than harm.
This ancient myth is believed to have inspired the romantic custom that continues today: kissing under the mistletoe during Christmas.
From Pagan to Christian: How Mistletoe Entered Christmas Traditions
As Christianity spread through Europe, many older customs were adapted rather than erased. Mistletoe, long associated with peace and protection, found a new home in Christmas celebrations. Its evergreen nature was interpreted as a symbol of eternal life — a natural reflection of the Christian message of hope and renewal during the festive season.
Medieval Use and Symbolism
In medieval homes, mistletoe was hung to bring good luck and keep away witches or evil spirits. During Yuletide festivities, households decorated with holly, ivy, and mistletoe, believing these evergreens kept the home spiritually safe during the twelve days of Christmas.
The Victorian Revival: Kissing Under the Mistletoe
The familiar image of a couple sharing a kiss beneath a mistletoe sprig first became popular in Victorian England. The Victorians adored Christmas traditions filled with romance and sentimentality, and mistletoe quickly became a centrepiece of seasonal décor.
The Etiquette of a Kiss
According to Victorian custom, a man could claim a kiss from any woman standing beneath the mistletoe. Each time a kiss was given, one berry was plucked from the plant — and when the berries were gone, the kisses had to stop. It was both playful and proper, blending courtship with festive charm.
Mistletoe in Literature and Art
Victorian writers and illustrators helped spread the image of mistletoe as a romantic emblem. From Christmas cards to illustrated magazines, mistletoe became part of the language of love and seasonal goodwill, a visual shorthand for affection and connection.
Modern Mistletoe: Love, Peace, and Holiday Cheer
Today, mistletoe remains one of the most recognisable Christmas symbols. While few households follow strict traditions about kisses and berries, the plant still represents affection and harmony. Across Britain and beyond, it’s used to decorate doorways, tables, and mantels, often tied with ribbons or paired with holly and ivy.
A Symbol of Unity and Forgiveness
In ancient times, enemies who met beneath mistletoe would lay down their weapons and declare a truce. This ancient gesture of peace still resonates today, aligning perfectly with the spirit of Christmas — forgiveness, friendship, and goodwill toward all.
Decorative and Sustainable Practices
Modern mistletoe is often available both fresh and artificial. Because real mistletoe berries are toxic if eaten, artificial versions are a safe and sustainable alternative for homes with children or pets. Supporting local growers and eco-conscious suppliers ensures this beloved plant continues to thrive in the countryside.
The Enduring Magic of the Mistletoe
Whether it hangs in a bustling family kitchen or a quiet cottage hallway, mistletoe carries a message that transcends time. It reminds us of love renewed, of peace restored, and of life persisting through winter’s chill. Each small sprig unites centuries of folklore — Druidic, Norse, Christian, and modern — into one enduring symbol of joy.
So when you pause beneath it this Christmas, remember: that simple kiss is part of a story stretching back over two thousand years — a story of hope, renewal, and the quiet, evergreen magic that defines the season.
