Superstition of the Week - Holly and Ivy

• Christmas evergreens represent endurance while the berries represent resurrection of life. Since the 15th century, holly and ivy were essential part of Christmas decorations for church.


• If the holly used for Christmas decorations is smooth the wife will be master. If the holly used for Christmas decorations is prickly the husband is the master. Prudent couples use both kinds of hollies on Christmas to assure balanced and harmonious home.


• Holly was used as a protection against witches and thunder.


• Holly leaves were scratched with the initials of the close admirers by the unmarried girls and sown into night clothing or kept under their pillow. It was said that it would bring them dream of their future husband. For this charm to be more effective, a borrowed wedding ring was worn on the third finger of the left hand.


• Holly is regarded as a masculine plant and ivy a feminine one, hence, too much ivy is believed to bring bad luck.


• A leaf of ivy was left in a bowl of water on Hogmany (New Years Eve) until the eve of Twelfth Night (Little Christmas) on 6th January. If it remained fresh and green a good year was expected. If it withered and had black spots by the end, ill health was prophesized.