The parasitic plant that became a symbol of Christmas and holiday romance

Mistletoe is a widely-accepted Christmas tradition.

Many holiday makers will hang the plant as decorations in their houses and at their doorways. Lovers meeting "under the mistletoe" is a common theme of countless Christmas songs and the plant tends to always magically appear when romantic interests share their first kiss in holiday films.

It turns out mistletoe is actually a toxic parasite. So how, and why, has it become such a widely accepted Christmas tradition associated with holiday romance? 

Read on to learn more about the origin of the Christmas tradition. 

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What is mistletoe? 

It certainly doesn't sound very festive, but mistletoe is a type of parasite. Technically it is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on a host tree or shrub. It gets its water and nutrients and nutrients from its host plant, but is able to produce its own energy through photosynthesis. 

There are over 1500 species of mistletoe across every continent on the planet except for Antarctica. They are known for the recognisable white or red berries. As they tap their roots into their host, they are also known to be able to produce fruit and flowers even during very dry or cold seasons.

The mistletoe most commonly known and associated with Christmas is the European mistletoe with white berries and yellow-green leaves.

Why is mistletoe a symbol of Christmas? 

Mistletoe's association with Christmas can be traced back to the ancient civilisation of the Celtic Druids – they lived on the British Isles in what is now known as Ireland and Scotland.

Due to its ability to thrive in harsh conditions, Mistletoe was viewed as a symbol of vivacity and it is believed it was administered to humans to help with fertility. 

Another piece of the mistletoe puzzle comes from Norse mythology. The story goes that the god Odin's son Baldur had been killed by mistletoe – the only plant that had the power to kill him.

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The gods then resurrected Baldur. His mother Frigg, the goddess of love and desire, then declared mistletoe would never be used that way again.

Instead, she said it would be a symbol of love and that she herself would kiss any living thing that stood beneath it.

Then by the 18th century, mistletoe, which was still widely associated with love, fertility and vitality, began to be incorporated into Christmas celebrations in England. People would hang the plant up inside their houses and above doors as a festive decoration, and years later it's still a common tradition in many cultures. 

Why is it tradition to kiss under mistletoe? 

Then, of course, there's the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. We all know the line 'meet me under the mistletoe', but how did this come about in the first place? 

It's believed the tradition first caught on among servants and then the middle class in England. The early custom allowed men to steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe and to refuse the kiss was viewed as bad luck.

The tradition quickly spread throughout the world and it was believed to bring good fortune in marriage and fertility. It went on to become a universal holiday ritual that is now associated around the world with holiday romance.

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Is mistletoe found in Australia?

Mistletoe is often associated with a white Christmas and features in many of the American and European Christmas films we know and love here in Australia. But mistletoe can actually be found in Australia; in fact, there are approximately 90 species across our country. 

It is very familiar to First Nations people throughout mainland Australia, who used the plant for food and medicinal purposes. However, most varieties of mistletoe are known to be toxic and unsafe for humans.

So next time you find yourself under the mistletoe, remember it's a toxic parasite – how romantic – with origins that date back centuries. But 'tis the season so, if you want to, why not lean in for that kiss and embrace the holiday spirit?

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