Holly

views updated May 09 2018

Holly

This name is probably a corruption of the word holy since this plant has been used from time immemorial as a protection against evil influence. It was hung around or planted near houses as a protection against lightning. Its common use at Christmas apparently originated in an ancient Roman festival in which holly was dedicated to the god Saturn. While the Romans were holding this feastwhich occurred about the time of the winter solsticethey decked the outsides of their houses with holly. At the same time the Christians were quietly celebrating the birth of Christ, and to avoid detection they outwardly followed the custom of their heathen neighbors and decked their houses with holly as well. In this way holly came to be connected with Christmas customs. The plant was also regarded as a symbol of the Resurrection.

The use of mistletoe along with holly probably came from the notion that in winter the fairies took shelter under its leaves and that they protected all who sheltered the plant. The origin of kissing under the mistletoe is considered to have come from Saxon ancestors of the British, who regarded this plant as dedicated to Freya, the goddess of love.

holly

views updated May 23 2018

hol·ly / ˈhälē/ • n. a widely distributed shrub, typically having prickly dark green leaves, small white flowers, and red berries. There are several deciduous species of holly but the evergreen hollies are more typical and familiar. • Genus Ilex, family Aquifoliaceae: many species, in particular the American holly (I. opaca), known as the "Christmas holly." See also gallbery, winterberry, yaupon. ∎  the branches, foliage, and berries of this plant used as Christmas decorations.

holly

views updated May 21 2018

holly the branches, dark-green foliage, and red berries of this plant are traditionally used as decorations at Christmas.

The holly as an evergreen tree is used as an image of fidelity.

holly

views updated Jun 08 2018

holly (Ilex aquifolium) See AQUIFOLIACEAE.

holly

views updated Jun 08 2018

holly XII. Reduced form of OE. hole(ġ)n, ME. holin, later hollen, rel. to OS., OHG. hulis (MHG. huls, G. hulst).