CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS

The custom of kissing under the mistletoe may have come from the Scandinavians who associated the plant with their goddess of love, Frigga. They believed that those who kissed under the mistletoe will experience happiness and good luck The mistletoe was also revered by the Druid priests because of how the plant remained green during the cold winter months even though it had no roots. It was also seen as a symbol of peace among the Romans. It is said that enemies would lay down their weapons and embrace if they met under the mistletoe. To the ancient Celtics, the mistletoe was believed to have magical healing powers. It was used as an antidote for poison, to ward of evil spirits and infertility.

The poinsettia is native to Mexico. The Aztecs called it Cuetlaxochitl. The indians consider it symbol of purity. They used the poinsettia bracts to make a purple dye for cosmetics and clothes. The latex from this plant is made into medicine for fever.

The poinsettia was named after a man called Joel Roberts Poinsett. His interest in this plant started when he was a US Ambassador to Mexico in 1825. He brought some of them back to South Carolina to grow them.

The poinsettia became a symbol of Christmas based on an old Mexican legend of a poor Mexican girl called Pepita. She had no present to give to baby Jesus as the Christmas Eve Service. She picked up some weeds and made them into a bouquet and placed it at the bottom of the nativity scene. The bouquet of weeds suddenly burst into bright red flowers. All who saw them believed that it was a miracle, The flowers became known as the "Flowers of the Holy Night". The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Jesus Christ and the white leaves, his purity.

HOLLY

CANDY CANE

REINDEER

SANTA CLAUS

ELF

STAR OF DAVID

CHRISTMAS TREE

SNOWMAN