Thank you for visiting Where does the tradition of kissing under mistletoe come from A Most believe it originated from Norse mythology B It was first mentioned in Twas. This page is designed to guide you through key points and clear explanations related to the topic at hand. We aim to make your learning experience smooth, insightful, and informative. Dive in and discover the answers you're looking for!
Answer :
Most believe it originated from Norse Mythology.
The Norse Mythology goes like this:
Goddess Frigga, goddess of love, has a son named Balder, god of summer sun.
One day, Balder had a dream of death and told his mother about it. She was greatly alarmed because if Balder dies, being a god of summer sun, all life on earth will die too. So, she went to air, water, fire, earth and all the animals and plants to seek their promise not to harm her son, Balder. Unfortunately, she overlooked the mistletoe.
Mistletoes are hemiparasites. They grow on tree trunks or tree branches.
Loki, god of evil, the ultimate enemy of Balder used the mistletoe as an arrow tip and gave the arrow to Hoder, the blind god of winter, to shoot Balder. Hoder did and struck Balder dead.
With the earth's life forms gradually fading and unsuccessfully trying to revive Balder's body, Goddess Frigga held Balder's body and shed tears for him which revived him back to life. The tears fell on the mistletoe and turned into white berries.
Expressing her joy of having her son back, Goddess Frigga kissed everyone who passed under the tree where the mistletoe grew.
The story ended with a decree that whoever stands under the mistletoe, no harm shall befall them, only a kiss, a token of love.
The Norse Mythology goes like this:
Goddess Frigga, goddess of love, has a son named Balder, god of summer sun.
One day, Balder had a dream of death and told his mother about it. She was greatly alarmed because if Balder dies, being a god of summer sun, all life on earth will die too. So, she went to air, water, fire, earth and all the animals and plants to seek their promise not to harm her son, Balder. Unfortunately, she overlooked the mistletoe.
Mistletoes are hemiparasites. They grow on tree trunks or tree branches.
Loki, god of evil, the ultimate enemy of Balder used the mistletoe as an arrow tip and gave the arrow to Hoder, the blind god of winter, to shoot Balder. Hoder did and struck Balder dead.
With the earth's life forms gradually fading and unsuccessfully trying to revive Balder's body, Goddess Frigga held Balder's body and shed tears for him which revived him back to life. The tears fell on the mistletoe and turned into white berries.
Expressing her joy of having her son back, Goddess Frigga kissed everyone who passed under the tree where the mistletoe grew.
The story ended with a decree that whoever stands under the mistletoe, no harm shall befall them, only a kiss, a token of love.
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Final answer:
The tradition of kissing under mistletoe originates from Norse mythology and was later incorporated into Christmas celebrations through the process of syncretism. It symbolizes love, peace, and human connections, evolving over time to become a cherished holiday custom.
Explanation:
The tradition of kissing under mistletoe has deep historical roots typically traced back to Norse mythology. Among these ancient stories, the mistletoe is seen as a symbol of love and friendship, stemming from the tale of the goddess Frigg who declared the plant to be a symbol of love after it was used in the restoration of her son, Baldr. This story laid the groundwork for the mistletoe's association with peace and love. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe as we know it likely developed much later, as part of the broader integration of various winter solstice celebrations and customs into the Christian celebration of Christmas. Syncretism, or the blending of different religious and cultural traditions, played a significant role in this process. As Christianity spread through Europe, incorporating local customs like those associated with mistletoe was viewed as a way to celebrate human relationships and joy in life while simultaneously marking the season.
There is no single origin for the practice, but the common element in its various interpretations and incorporations is the emphasis on human connections and the celebration of life. Thus, the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of expressions of love and kindness.
