By Savayda Jarone, herbalist
Have you ever wondered why certain plants are included in the December holiday traditions?
Several plants appear year after year as festive decorations in our homes and public spaces, and yet their original significance is oft forgotten.
Holly, also called Holy Tree or Christ’s Thorn, has long been associated with Christmas, and like other evergreens, it represents eternity. The scarlet red berries symbolize vitality and they, along with their glossy green leaves, bring vibrancy to the cold and colourless months of winter. Holly has been a central part of winter solstice traditions since long before Christianity. Ancient pagans would share boughs of holly during the festival of Saturnalia/Solstice as a gesture of good will and longevity throughout the winter
Pine trees have rich symbolism and tradition in many cultures. These lofty evergreen trees, native to Nova Scotia, symbolizes wisdom, longevity, and peace, among other things. Pine was a central part of the Germanic mid-winter festival of Yule, which has been carried over as the Christmas tree today. Pines have a long association with Christianity; since pine trees are evergreen, they are said to represent God’s everlasting love for humanity and eternal life. In ancient Druidic rituals, the pine was burned to commemorate the changing of seasons and to bring back the sun at the winter solstice.
Freshen and purify the air with the scent of pine by simmering pine needles from your Christmas tree in water to release the aromatic volatile oils into your home.
Called the “herb of remembrance”, Rosemary was included as a winter symbol for remembering loved ones no longer with us and was strewn on floors at ritual sites and churches to uplift participants. Rosemary sprigs were bundled with gifts and included when decking the halls with greenery during festival holidays. Rosemary is literally an herb for enhancing memory and mental focus – try mixing with mint as your morning tea.
Poinsettia “the flower of the holy night”, stemming from Mexican tradition surrounding the birth of Jesus. It is native to Mexico and Central America, flowering as a weed in the winter. Somewhat ironically, it outnumbers all other plants grown in greenhouses for commercial sale in the USA. The brightly coloured leaves (yes, they are called bracts, not flowers as often thought) bring a cheerful splash of vibrancy to any room. They are used as a traditional medicine and plant dye.
As an herbalist, I am always curious to discover how plants are a common thread in all cultures and traditions. No matter what modern day ceremonies we observe, they are infused with ancient traditions and symbolism. The plants I’ve discussed in this piece are from the Christmas/Christian traditions that I grew up in. But Indigenous peoples around the world celebrate at this time of year with their own unique traditions and plant lore. All our ancestors, no matter where we are from, lived close to nature, observing the phases of the sun, moon and seasons, and the effects on the land, animals, and plants.
May your holidays be peaceful and appreciative of the plants among us at this time.
