Holly - Pagan Symbolism and Tradition

Plant Sacred to Ancient Celtic, Norse/Germanic and Roman People

Nov 22, 2009
Jill Stefko

Holly Symbol of Prosperity - jppi

Red berried holly plants, symbolic of strength, protection, good will and everlasting life decorated the ancients' homes and were bestowed as gifts during Yuletide.

In Celtic astrology Tinne, holly, represents the eighth month of the year, July 8 to August 4 which includes Lughnasadh the Festival of the First Harvest. Holly has female and male plants. In May, the plants bear flowers that are pale pink on the outside and white on the inside. Later, the flower of the female holly turns into clusters of bright red berries which are toxic to humans. The first Christmas tree was a holly bush.

Celtic and Germanic/Nordic Holly Traditions

The plant was revered for its protective qualities. When it’s planted around homes, it protects and guards against lightening, poisoning and negative spirits. Wild animals lie down when a holly branch is thrown at them. Holly is made into amulets to attract good luck. Nine holly leaves gathered on Fridays after midnight, tied into clean cloths by nine knots and put under pillows make dreams come true.

Druids brought holly boughs into their homes to shelter elves and faeries who joined mortals during Yuletide. The plant captured evil spirits that tried to enter homes. Holly branches had to be removed before the eve of Imbolc, the next Sabbat, to avoid misfortune. An old Teutonic custom was bringing evergreen and holly branches inside homes as havens for sylvan spirits from the cold winter weather. People hung wishes written on parchment from holly branches.

Celtic Holly Rituals

The nature of the plant is masculine, its element is fire and the planetary ruler is Mars. Powers are protection, healing, consecration, good will, peace and luck. Holly is associated with the life, death and re-birth symbolic cycle of Lughnasadh. Holly symbolizes holiness, consecration, prosperity, beauty, immortality, peace, goodwill and health.

Holly water was sprinkled on newborns for protection and used in rituals to help people cope with death and ease their sleep with serene dreams. The Holly tree’s wood was used in ritualistic fires to forge weapons and tools. Athemes, magickal knives, were consecrated in the smoke of the plant’s incense. After Yule, Druid priests collected the sacred mistletoe accompanied by people wearing holly sprigs in their hair.

Celtic Holly King

The holly tree, associated with the spirit of flora and the waning forces of nature, is personified as the mythical Holly King. He’s usually portrayed as an old man clad in winter clothing, wearing a holly wreath on his head and holding a holly branch staff.

The Holly King rules nature during its waning time from Litha, the summer solstice, to Yule. During each solstice, he and brother Oak King engage in a contest for the Goddess’ attentions. The victor presides over nature through the next half of the year.

Roman Holly Lore

Ancient Romans associated holly with their Sun god, Saturn. They gave boughs of holly to family and friends during the Saturnalia, festival of the Winter Solstice, as a symbol of summer’s fertility. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote that when holly was planted near a house or a farm, it repelled poison and protected against lightning and sorcery.

Christmas Holly Traditions

When missionaries began to convert Celtic Pagans to Christianity, they found that incorporating the Olde Religion’s traditions into their religion facilitated the process, holly became a Christmas symbol. According to Christian legend, holly sprung up under Jesus’ feet as he walked.

Holly leaves were symbolic of his crown of thorns, the berries representing drops of blood from his wounds. The tree became known as Christ's Thorn and the Holy Tree. In Germany and Scandinavia, the holly bough was called Christ’s thorn and the righteous branch. Christmas carols, such as The Holly and the Ivy and Deck the Halls, extol the season’s plant.