Holly

Floral Message

Holly should be introduced to the house before Christmas Eve and removed on the Twelfth Night. In the language of flowers it is the symbol of domestic happiness.

History and Lore about the Holly

The holly is one of the most popular Christmas evergreens. The holly tree was known to medieval monks as the "Holy Tree" because it was believed to keep evil spirits away. It was also believed to protect a home from lightening. The early Romans decorated their hallways with holly garlands during the mid-winter feast of Saturnalia. Holly later became the emblem of eternal life; the pointed leaves of the holly represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus; the red berries symbolized the drops of blood shed. Holly also came to represent the biblical burning bush in which God appeared before Moses.

Interesting Facts about the Holly

Some varities of holly are consumed as teas. They are rich in caffeine and therefore desired as a stimulent.The leaves of I. guayusa have the highest caffeine content of any known plant. In Northern and Central America, I. vomitoria, Yaupon, was used by southeastern American Indians as a ceremonial stimulant. In China, the young leaf buds of I. kudingcha are processed in a method similar to green tea to make a tea called Ku Ding.