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Symbolic Meaning of
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11
TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY PLANTS
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MISTLETOE
(Viscum album)
This par asitic plant has been looked on by HOW TO USE :
humanity as a r ichly symbolic of fer tility and Hang in bunches to invoke happy holiday
protection (San Diego Natur al Histor y Museum, kisses, use as an addition to wreaths
n.d.). and center pieces.

Dur ing the holidays you may find mistletoe

hanging happily in doorways beckoning SAFETY:
sweethear ts to kiss under the mistletoe . This When using mistletoe in holiday decor, be sure
likely stems from mistletoe’s reputation as an to keep it secured and safely away from children
emblem of fer tility (McIntyre , 1996). and pets as it is poisonous if ingested!

ROSEMARY EVERGREEN PINE

(Rosemarinus officinalis) (Pinus spp.)
This aromatic plant is reminiscent of
pine both in fr agr ance and appear ance .
& FIR
It has long been regarded as a plant for (Abies spp.)
remembr ance and also fr iendship
(McIntyre , 1996). With ever-present needle-like leaves, trees such
as pine and fir are often seen as “a symbol of
Interestingly, rosemar y is used by strength and life” (San Diego Natur al Histor y
herbalists to help stimulate memor y! Museum, n.d., par a. 5). While other plants
die back to the ground or lose their leaves,
ever greens per severe throughout the year.

HOW TO USE: HOW TO USE:

wreaths, mini rosemar y trees, tablescape Chr istmas tree decor ation, wreaths, gar lands

HOLLY IVY
(Ilex aquifolium) (Helix hedera)
This ever green plant has been an emblem of the Another plant that finds its use and symbolic
holiday season har kening back to ancient Roman meanings rooted well in the past, ivy was seen
times when it was “exchanged as a symbol to be a sacred ever green and “was given the
of health and happiness” dur ing the winter reputation as the strongest of all trees” due to
solstice (McIntyre , 1996, pg. 135). Holly has its ability to cover and even kill the mightiest
been associated with the encour aging phr ase: of oaks (Quercus spp.) - even though ivy is not a
“Sub sole sub umbr a virens” which is Latin tree (Adams Media, 2017, pg. 161)!
for “Thr iving in sun or shade” (Plean, 2000).
Br anches bur sting with dar k glossy leaves and The plant was also seen among dr uids to
br ight red ber r ies must have been a vigorous symbolize fidelity, fer tility and good luck
reminder of both health and happiness dur ing (Univer sity of Missour i, 2009).
the long, cold of winter.
HOW TO USE: HOW TO USE:
wreaths, gar lands, display in vases, tablescape gar lands, wreaths, tablescape , add to bouquets

list compiled from the following sources:

Adams Media. (2017). The book of Celtic myths. Avon, MA: Adams Media.; McIntyre, A. (1996). Flower power. New York, NY: Henry Holt.
San Diego Natural History Museum. (n.d.). Holiday plants. Retrieved from https://www.sdnhm.org/science/botany/resources/gener-
al-information/the-natural-history-of-holiday-plants/; Trinklein, D. (2009). The Holly and the ivy. Retrieved from https://ipm.missouri.edu/
MEG/2009/12/The-Holly-and-the-Ivy/index.cfm; Plean, G. (2000). Clans & tartans. Glasgow, UK: Harper Collins.