CHRISTMAS HOLLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 38

CHRISTMAS HOLLY

MEANS FORESIGHT Of the many evergreens used by the English at Christmas, none is so popula~ as the holly. It is emblematic of that festive season, and the writers of antiquity ascribe many wonderful properties to the holly. The disciples of Zoroaster, the fireworshippers, believed that the sun never shadowed the bush, and followers of that great philosopher still remaining in Persia and India are said to throw water impregnated with holly bark in the face of a new-born baby so that the sun shall always shine on the child. During the festivals of Saturnalia, which occur about Christmas time, the Romans sent holly sprays to their friends as a mark of their good wishes. During winter in some countries it is customary to beat the feet with holly branches when affected by chilblains, as the pricks are supposed to have marvellous curative powers. Holly also goes by the name of Aunt Mary's Tree, Christmas tree, holly, holm, hull, prick hollin, hulver, and He and She holly. The latter are names given to the trees with and without prickles. In the time of Pliny, holly was planted near the houses to ward off lightning. The name so resembles holy that it was said to cause witches to be afraid of the tree. It was also supposed to possess virtues as; a

dream plant, and was used on Christmas Eve and Hallowe’en. An anxious lover would place three pails of water in her bedroom and pin three leaves of holly to her nightdress, near the heart, and then go to sleep. As the story goes, she will be wakened by three yells and three hoarse laughs. When they have died away, her future husband will appear. Wreaths of holly were sent for congratulation at a wedding in Rome. According to an old tradition, if a holly stick is thrown at a dog, even without hitting it, the animal would return and lie down by it. Birdlime is made from holly. In the Black Forest the natives make a tea from it.

Aps.rt from its beautiful scarlet berries and lovely foliage, the holly has other connections which render it, at least in England, the most beloved of plants. The rose, nor modest violet, do not produce such tender feelings in the Briton’s heart.