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Mistletoe
Mistletoe lives as a parasite on trees and shrubs. Although a detriment to the host, it has an important positive effect on the biodiversity of the area. Mistletoe also has medicinal uses. It is most commonly known as a Christmas decoration, and the tradition goes that couples standing under it should kiss.
290 Questions
How did the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe develop?
According to pagan traditions the god Loki in envy killed the handsome god Balder with a dart made from the mistletoe; all other plants having vowed not to harm Balder; the mistletoe, having been overlooked, was therefore used. According to this pagan tradition the mistletoe dart was plucked out of Balder's fatal wound and given to the goddess of love, Freya. From this, came the custom that a man may kiss a woman if he sees her under the mistletoe. Also in ancient times pagans would hang both the mistletoe and wreaths of holly in windows and doorways for their supposed curative and protective powers, to keep witches and evil spirits from entering.
Why mistletoe is called partial parasite?
This plant can synthesize its own food. But it receives water and minerals from the host plant on which it grows
It usually grows on trees, you will rarely find it on small trees because birds like to perch on the branches of taller trees where the mistletoe seed drops and attaches itself to the bark. After a few days roots break through the bark and suck the nutrients from the tree. Basically the mistletoe is a parasite and grows on trees.
It grows on a variety of trees including apple trees, pine trees, and some oaks.
Is a mistletoe growing on an oak tree an example of mutualism?
no mistletoe on an oak tree is and example of parasitism. Why? Because the mistletoe attaches itself to the oak tree and takes some of the tree's nutrients, although it looks pretty it can lead to the death of the tree.
Why do you have to kiss if you're under the mistletoe?
The most obvious tradition is the kissing one. Hanging mistletoe and kissing loved ones, or complete strangers, below it is hugely popular Christmas customThe most obvious tradition is the kissing one. Hanging mistletoe and kissing loved ones, or complete strangers, below it is hugely popular Christmas. It is probably a remnant of an ancient fertility tradition, helped along by some British re-invention in the 18th and 19th centuries. The European mistletoe, as a parasitic plant growing on deciduous trees, can be seen as a symbol of the continuing 'life-force' (and vitality/fertility) of the tree through the winter. The fertility image is completed by European mistletoe's shape and form - the forking paired branches, paired leaves and berries full of white sticky juice hint of sexual imagery. http://www.mistletoe.org.uk/TraditionandLegend/TraditionLegendIntro.htm
People are always looking for an excuse to kiss.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant found in trees and bushes. A really long time ago in Europe, it was considered a sign of divine male essence (fertility, romance, etc.) This is because, according to Greek Mythology, mistletoe is the Golden Bough of Aeneas.
it gives you good luck
Many people say that when you kiss under the missile toe that it brings you good luck. When you kiss under a missile toe it can make you feel extremely special and have you have a great moment.
The Christmas custom of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe may seem romantic to some, but it is a throwback to the Middle Ages. The Druids of ancient Britain believed that the mistletoe held magical powers; hence, it was used as protection against demons, spells, and other kinds of evil. In time, the superstition arose that kissing underneath the mistletoe would lead to marriage. This practice is still popular among some people around Christmastime.
Prominent examples of the close connection between religion and superstition are the superstitions associated with Christmas, a celebration promoted by the churches of Christendom. These include the hope that kissing under the mistletoe will lead to marriage and many superstitious beliefs about Santa Claus.
because it is just something that happened along time ago when 2 young kids just kissed and they were under a mistletoe and that is how it all started
Whoever you kiss, it usually isn't someone chosen by anyone but you. Also, keep in mind that there is no obligation on anyone's part. have fun, but never force your affections on another person. Make sure the person is willing.
north pole
According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe areobliged to kiss. The custom is of Scandinavian origin.
In Norse mythology, Baldr was a god of vegetation. His mother, Frigga, prompted by a prophetic dream, made every plant, animal and inanimate object promise not to harm him. But Frigga overlooked the mistletoe plant - and the mischievous god Loki took advantage of this oversight, tricking the blind god Höðr into killing Baldr with a spear fashioned from mistletoe. Baldr's death brought winter into the world, until the gods restored him to life. Frigga declared the mistletoe sacred, ordering that from now on it should bring love rather than death into the world. Happily complying with Frigga's wishes, any two people passing under the plant from now on would celebrate Baldr's resurrection by kissing under the mistletoe.
The most obvious tradition is the kissing one. Hanging mistletoe and kissing loved ones, or complete strangers, below it is hugely popular Christmas customThe most obvious tradition is the kissing one. Hanging mistletoe and kissing loved ones, or complete strangers, below it is hugely popular Christmas. It is probably a remnant of an ancient fertility tradition, helped along by some British re-invention in the 18th and 19th centuries. The European mistletoe, as a parasitic plant growing on deciduous trees, can be seen as a symbol of the continuing 'life-force' (and vitality/fertility) of the tree through the winter. The fertility image is completed by European mistletoe's shape and form - the forking paired branches, paired leaves and berries full of white sticky juice hint of sexual imagery. http://www.mistletoe.org.uk/TraditionandLegend/TraditionLegendIntro.htm
People are always looking for an excuse to kiss.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant found in trees and bushes. A really long time ago in Europe, it was considered a sign of divine male essence (fertility, romance, etc.) This is because, according to Greek Mythology, mistletoe is the Golden Bough of Aeneas.
it gives you good luck
Many people say that when you kiss under the missile toe that it brings you good luck. When you kiss under a missile toe it can make you feel extremely special and have you have a great moment.
The Christmas custom of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe may seem romantic to some, but it is a throwback to the Middle Ages. The Druids of ancient Britain believed that the mistletoe held magical powers; hence, it was used as protection against demons, spells, and other kinds of evil. In time, the superstition arose that kissing underneath the mistletoe would lead to marriage. This practice is still popular among some people around Christmastime.
Prominent examples of the close connection between religion and superstition are the superstitions associated with Christmas, a celebration promoted by the churches of Christendom. These include the hope that kissing under the mistletoe will lead to marriage and many superstitious beliefs about Santa Claus.
because it is just something that happened along time ago when 2 young kids just kissed and they were under a mistletoe and that is how it all started
Whoever you kiss, it usually isn't someone chosen by anyone but you. Also, keep in mind that there is no obligation on anyone's part. have fun, but never force your affections on another person. Make sure the person is willing.
north pole
According to a custom of Christmas cheer, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe areobliged to kiss. The custom is of Scandinavian origin.
In Norse mythology, Baldr was a god of vegetation. His mother, Frigga, prompted by a prophetic dream, made every plant, animal and inanimate object promise not to harm him. But Frigga overlooked the mistletoe plant - and the mischievous god Loki took advantage of this oversight, tricking the blind god Höðr into killing Baldr with a spear fashioned from mistletoe. Baldr's death brought winter into the world, until the gods restored him to life. Frigga declared the mistletoe sacred, ordering that from now on it should bring love rather than death into the world. Happily complying with Frigga's wishes, any two people passing under the plant from now on would celebrate Baldr's resurrection by kissing under the mistletoe.
While mistletoe sounds more like a foot condition than anything that would inspire romance, you should probably count your blessings that all you're getting is a kiss. Once upon a time, it was more customary to sacrifice a bull or ox under the mistletoe. Mistletoe is an interesting plant. It's a parasite; in fact it's the only plant that is actually considered a true parasite because it sometimes kills the hardwood trees it infests. Mistletoe grows slowly in trees, and doesn't put roots in the ground. This liberation from the earth made the ancient Druids believe mistletoe was sacred. It was even considered bad luck to let any mistletoe touch the ground. The Druids believed mistletoe could provide protection; promote fertility, love, and health; and exorcise demons. Putting it in a baby's crib would keep the fairies from whisking away your child. And some people even believed that wearing it around your neck could make you invisible. (But maybe only in the way that drinking a lot of mead could make you really good-looking.) The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe probably got its start with the Druids as well. According to one explanation, the Norse god Balder was killed with an arrow made of mistletoe. The rest of the gods were sad, so they decided to bring him back to life. The Goddess of Love then dedicated the mistletoe to Balder--and anyone passing under it must receive a kiss to show tribute to this symbol of love. Others point to the Druid tradition of laying down arms and exchanging greetings under the mistletoe as the origin of the kissing tradition. They credit the English for taking peace one step further by puckering up, then plucking a berry from the bunch and discarding it. The kissing ended when the berries ran out, inspiring people to find hearty bunches.
because the mistle toe is considered a romantic plant. (Even though it's poisonus!)
Symbiosis between mistletoe and tree?
The spruce tree has a symbiotic relationship with the mistletoe. This symbiotic relationship is an example of parasitism since the mistletoe obtains water and nutrients from the spruce tree, putting it at risk of harm.
What Is the reason to use mistletoe?
Where did mistletoe originate?
The word 'mistletoe' is of uncertain etymology; it may be related to German Mist, for dung and Tang for branch, since mistletoe can be spread in the feces of birds moving from tree to tree. However, Old English mistel was also used for basil.
European mistletoe, Viscum album, is generally considered a poisonous plant that causes acute gastrointestinal problems including stomach pain, and diarrhea along with low pulse. However it has a long history of use in (herbal) medicine and has garnered a lot of attention (and studies) for its anti-cancer properties.
The name was originally applied to Viscum album (European Mistletoe, Santalaceae), the only species native in Great Britain and much of Europe. Later the name was further extended to other related species, including Phoradendron serotinum (the Eastern Mistletoe of eastern North America, also Santalaceae).
What will happen if you eat mistletoe?
Mistletoe is poisonous to dogs (and cats and horses, as well as humans). It can cause slow heart rate, gastrointestinal disturbances and collapse. If your dog eats mistletoe, you should call your veterinarian immediately.
Why is mistletoe associated with Christmas?
The plant, though Scandinavian, is of English tradition. It was chosen because it was a Christmas green plant. In the 19th century, a tradition evoked that if any two met under the plant, the were required to kiss. That is all I know.
What started the mistletoe kissing?
Well, there are a lot of answers depending on your belief system...
Abrahamic religions - Adam and Eve (or Adam and Hawah). Ate the apple.. Got kicked of of Eden... Had smooch smooch and then children.
Buddhism. You were the first person.... in another life time of course. And will continue to do so when you and the earth are reincarnated. Everything IS everything.
Darwinism. Some scientists believe that the "kiss" has actually evolved from Parent / Child bonding. Take for instance species feeding their young (by chewing or regurgitating it like birds and primates) and / or cleaning (think dogs, cats and other mammals. Then your answer would be "Ugg" and "Lucy" circa 20,000 years ago.
Alternative theories
The god / alien theory - The first kiss happened between an E.T. and a monkey somewhere in Atlantis circa 12,000 years ago.
David Icke theory - The first kiss happened between an E.T, a reptilian shape-shifter and a monkey somewhere in Atlantis circa 12,000 years ago.
The Matrix theory - The first kiss never happened.... You are asleep in a battery cell. Life is an holographic illusion and kissing is NOT real! And neither is that pizza!
What does mistletoe represent?
A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album), bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. A bird lime is prepared from its fruit.
How did the poinsettia become associated with Christmas?
One story is of a poor little girl that had no gift to give Christ at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin told her that anything given in love to Christ was cherished by Him. So she picked some weeds from the ground, arranged them in a bouquet pattern, and laid them at the nativity scene. Shortly afterwards, the weeds turned into beautiful red flowers which were given the name Flowers of the Holy Night and later poinsettia after Joel Poinsett, an American diplomat.
Answer:
The poinsettia (euphorbia pulcherrima) as Christmas flower was popular as Native flowering shrub in Mexico with large red leaves encircling greenish yellow flowers and the only flowering plant during winter at the time when Christianity came to Mexico & North America. It became a symbol of Christmas and later a popular houseplant ..
What is a sentence for the word mistletoe?
Some thing like- "When we walked in, she made me stop under the misseltoe." Some thing like- "When we walked in, she made me stop under the misseltoe."
