Today celebrates holly, the evergreen plant long associated with Christmas, and used in wreaths and other trimmings. Before being connected to Christmas, it had many other associations, and has been used as a winter decoration since ancient times. Holly was identified with winter solstice festivals, which celebrated the lengthening of days. In Norse mythology it was associated with Thor, and was grown around the home as a way to prevent lightning strikes. It was used in the Roman festival of Saturnalia, dedicated to the planet Saturn, and the god of agriculture, creation, and time. The festival celebrated the darkest time of the year, but also the movement towards a time of sunshine and Spring. In ancient Gaul, Celtic people wore holly sprigs and wreaths as a way to ward off evil spirits. Holly historically represented new growth and eternal life, freshened the air, reminded people of the coming of Spring, and was believed to have magical properties. When Christianity came into Europe, the two main countries to embrace the continued use of greenery such as holly as decorations were the United Kingdom and Germany. Holly came to have a Christian meaning as well—the prickly leaves came to represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore while he was crucified, and the berries represented the drops of blood that the thorns caused.
This was a Holly Day some years ago. All day to shoot a vid, listening to the same song over and over. So much for the glamour of the pop world. Free beer mind. Thats me at the back on the left with a cap on.
I’ve got a niece called Holly. She loves it when I called her Holly Wolly Doodle. Especially now she’s at Uni
I too have a lovely niece called Holly, and I may start calling her Holly Wolly Doodle now, because I will find it humourous even if she doesn't......which she won't
