Ellington

Did you know people used to believe that mistletoe grew from dung? The name itself is Anglo-Saxon for "dung-on-a-twig." So why do we kiss under it? Here are a few beliefs behind that silly custom.

Ancient Druids believed mistletoe had magical properties. They thought the plant could serve as a poison antidote, ensure fertility, cure a nervous system disease, ward off evil—some even though it was an aphrodisiac.

In ancient Greek culture, couples would kiss under mistletoe at festivals and weddings. It served as a promise to marry and a prediction of happiness and a long life.

Anglo-Saxons associated the plant with Freya, the goddess of love and fertility. The legend said that a man had to kiss any young girl who accidentally found herself under mistletoe. Men would pluck a berry and when the last berry was gone, they wouldn't kiss anymore.

In Norse mythology, the god Hoder killed the god Balder with a mistletoe arrow by while fighting for Nanna.

(source: coolquiz.com)