Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

The History of the Holly Trees & Bushes

...
holly image by david purday from Fotolia.com

Holly is found in most parts of the world and because of this history and folklore comes from different regions. History is often entwined with folklore that has come down from generation to generation. There are many different species of holly that grow to about one foot tall all the way to sixteen feet and higher. Holly is unique because the plants have gender, male and female. The female produces red berries and the leaves are green to blue with spines.

Roman Holly History

...
holly sprig image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com

Holly was sacred the ancient Romans. They decorated with holly during their holiday of Saturnalia occurring on the shortest day of the year (winter solstice). This was a time when they gave gifts to each other in honor of the god, Saturn. Holly was placed on doors to keep evil away during this time.

  • Holly is found in most parts of the world and because of this history and folklore comes from different regions.
  • This was a time when they gave gifts to each other in honor of the god, Saturn.

British Isles Holly History

...
holly leaves and berries image by Robert Yoder from Fotolia.com

The Ancient Celts and Britains held holly in high esteem and it was a sacred plant of the Druids. They used it to heal the sick and would hang branches in homes to keep evil away. They believed that the Holly King ruled death and winter while the Oak King ruled life and summer. There was always an altercation at the winter and summer solstice between the two. In Ireland holly brought in to decorate the house during fair weather meant the wife would rule the house for the year. If it was brought in during a storm the husband would rule.

European Holly History

...
christmas wreath image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com

In many parts of Europe holly repelled evil. Wreaths were hung on the doors inside houses because it was a good place for fairies or elves to hide and play while waiting for the elf Santa to come and visit. It was tradition to remove the wreath by Twelfth Night or luck would turn bad. It became a custom to keep one sprig of holly to ensure good luck for the year, which is why in many churches the holly wreath is cut up and a piece given to all the parishioners.

  • The Ancient Celts and Britains held holly in high esteem and it was a sacred plant of the Druids.
  • It was tradition to remove the wreath by Twelfth Night or luck would turn bad.

Japanese Holly History

Japan has a type of holly that is grown in that country. It is related to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. This goddess would hide in her cave during the winter and needed to be coaxed out. Uzume, a clown goddess, has the job of luring Amaterasu out of her cave every spring. She would tie a sacred jewel and mirror to a holly branch and dangle it by the mouth of the cave while she danced. Soon Amaterasu would come out and spring would begin.

Christian Holly History

...
holly image by david hughes from Fotolia.com

There are many different customs related to holly from the Christian religion. Holly is a main decoration during the Christmas season mainly because it is evergreen and can be used in wreaths during December. Christian folklore states that holly leaves used to fall off during the winter as did the leaves of an oak. When the Holy Family ran from Herod’s soldiers a holly tree hid them by its trunk while the leaves closed tightly in around them. Herod’s men did not see them and they escaped. Because of this holly was rewarded by being able to keep its leaves all year round.

  • Japan has a type of holly that is grown in that country.
  • When the Holy Family ran from Herod’s soldiers a holly tree hid them by its trunk while the leaves closed tightly in around them.

Warnings

Most holly leaves do have thorns so make sure to wear gloves when cutting holly from the bush to make wreaths. Red berries only appear on holly bushes if you plant both a male and female in the same area. If you only plant one bush you will not get berries. Berries are mildly poisonous to humans and an adult that ingests more than three of the berries may have to put up with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that will last a long time. Children and pets can be affected by less than three berries.

Related Articles

What Is the Meaning of the Holly Plant?
What Is the Meaning of the Holly Plant?
Indoor Holly Plants
Indoor Holly Plants
Facts on the Holly Tree
Facts on the Holly Tree
The History of the Ivy Plant
The History of the Ivy Plant
Symbolism in the Jade Peony
Symbolism in the Jade Peony
What Is the Meaning of Azaleas?
What Is the Meaning of Azaleas?
What Is the Meaning of Lily of the Valley?
What Is the Meaning of Lily of the Valley?
The Significance of the Herb Sage
The Significance of the Herb Sage
How to Identify a Holly Tree
How to Identify a Holly Tree
How to Landscape With Holly Bushes
How to Landscape With Holly Bushes
What Is the Meaning of the Willow Tree?
What Is the Meaning of the Willow Tree?
How to Make Grave Blankets & Wreaths
How to Make Grave Blankets & Wreaths
What Is the Meaning of Ash Trees?
What Is the Meaning of Ash Trees?
Honeysuckle History
Honeysuckle History
How to Transplant a Holly Bush
How to Transplant a Holly Bush
Flowers Used in Ikebana
Flowers Used in Ikebana
History of Corsages
History of Corsages
The Meaning Behind Cypress Trees
The Meaning Behind Cypress Trees
Garden Guides
×