The Celtic Origins of Kissing Under the Mistletoe at Christmas

Why do people pucker up beneath a parasitic plant during Christmastime? Explore the ancient Celtic origins of this midwinter custom.
Intro: 00:00
Part 1: The Celtic Mistletoe Rite: A Golden Sickle, a White Cloth, and a Pair of (Unlucky) Oxen 02:31
Part 2: Why Do People Put Up Mistletoe at Christmas? 07:06
Part 3: Why Do People Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe? 11:31
This video is based on an article of the same name from IrishMyths.com: irishmyths.com/2021/12/15/mis...
Books referenced (note: when you buy through the links below, I may earn a small affiliate commission):
-The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries (1911): amzn.to/3B1xrbY
-The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911): amzn.to/31UZXQ3
-Naturalis Historia (77 CE): amzn.to/3s9JeDw
-Myths of the Rhine (1874): amzn.to/3E02V2O
-The Golden Bough (1890): amzn.to/33yQP48
-Christmas In Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan (1912): amzn.to/3DSTeTP
-A Christmas Cornucopia: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Yuletide Traditions (2018): amzn.to/3s4A6ju
Books by me (I. E. Kneverday):
-Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: amzn.to/3ZWMWxG
-Irish Myths in Your Pocket: amzn.to/3Qi5xjg
-Samhain in Your Pocket: amzn.to/3Bkp2D0
-Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: amzn.to/3SXQgFO
-Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: amzn.to/3BJE7yc

[@MagicRing-fq2ig]

Another great video on Celtic culture. Very well presented and I love the clear references. And good advice at the end re. consent and kissing beneath the mistletoe. :)

[@AClockWorkKelly1]

Liking subscribing ringing bells and sharing. Thanks for the fantastic videos .. keep up the good work.

[@cynicalb]

Its called a Boleen in Ireland & spelt slightly different in england same word..for the golden blade

[@kiramccain6310]

Great research and a fun video! I can't wait to see more!

[@irishmyths]

Thanks for watching, Kira! Stay tuned!

[@Cuban20]

Loving your new channel!

[@irishmyths]

Thank you so much for tuning in! More to come soon!

[@kirstenlee5936]

Nice work!

[@irishmyths]

Thanks for watching!

[@kirstenlee5936]

@@irishmythsSure thing!☘🐎🌊

[@Alasdair37448]

when it comes to certain tribes like the Teutons it's often debated whether they were celtic or germanic as if their were some kind of hard line or border in which celts existed on one side an germans on the other. This is not at all how this worked it was more like a spectrum with peoples like the Teutons and the Belgai occupying the middle of that spectrum with elements of both celtic and germanic. So were they celtic or germanic? Most likely they were both.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

Kissing under the mistletoe in England was an extension of the 'kissing bough' tradition where wooden hoops were attached together to create a globe which in turn was covered with evergreens amongst which, no doubt, would have been mistletoe if available. This was then hung from the ceiling as the Christmas decoration centrepiece. Now all this is a lot of work and gradually the bough was replaced by simply hanging the mistletoe from the ceiling. And interestingly the mistletoe kissing tradition is a primarily an English one. So, in the 'Celtic' areas of the British Isles where we are told druidic influence still has resonance we have little evidence of the tradition of kissing under the supposedly sacred mistletoe. Also, Pliny's description of the Druids and their sacred rites can be taken with a pinch of salt - as can writings from Edwardian folklorists.

[@cynicalb]

Where are the 'british Isles '?????

[@nickright7747]

Shouldn't you call yourself "celticmyth". Since the celtic mythology isn't synonymous with Ireland. Wales, Scotland, parts of England, Brittany. All are equally celtic.

[@teresaames7902]

Since Celts are not the only thing he covers, he covers all things Irish. Did you check out his channel?