Of course, there’s symbolism. All carols and hymns have symbolism. Whatever you think something means on a literal level there’s a fair chance it in fact means something else.
Holly then – who doesn’t think of Christmas and holly going together like a horse and a cart. But it shouldn’t be a surprise that legends and myths about the holly’s powers reach back into the mists of time. In Celtic culture in particular holly bore, not only berries but links to Druid worship. Thanks to such associations, early church leaders weren’t keen on accepting holly into church as a decoration. And indeed, mistletoe still isn’t because of its associations with the pagan winter festival that existed long before Christmas.
But it’s not only with Druidism that holly has symbolism. In Christianity too, this evergreen plant is symbolic. In the first instance this plant that never sheds its leaves have come to represent eternal life. And the red berries of course stand for the blood of Christ while the prickles of the leaves themselves are a reminder of Christ’s Crown of Thorns.
And there’s more! Legends tell us that holly is the wood from which Christ’s cross came. Another story tells of the miraculous growth of holly to hide the Holy Family as they fled King Herod.
So, the ivy then. This one’s a bit more straightforward. In classical mythology, the invasive ivy was a sacred symbol to Bacchus, the Roman god of agriculture, wine and fertility. Not hard to see then why the early church didn’t want that included in Christian worship.
Plant-based rivalry
In ancient European folklore there exists a relationship – a rivalry even – between the holly and the ivy. How so? Because they vied to rule the forest. Medieval games and ceremonies pitted holly, viewed as masculine, in contests with ivy, seen as feminine. And so, holly-and-ivy songs and poems often concern the male/female dynamic.
Depending on the text, holly tended to win the competition. But not always. In an old text called “Ivy, Chief of Trees She Is,” ivy comes out quite well.
So then we’ve got two plants that between them are prickly, thorny, invasive and engulfing. And bearing layers of meaning from folklore to Druidism to classical mythology. But yet over time, holly and ivy have become Christmas symbols that we all know and love.
Those beliefs of our ancestors may cause us to scratch our heads in bemusement. But what you don’t need to scratch your head over is the ideal Christmas gift for a cufflink lover!
Holly and Ivy cufflinks
Do you know a discerning cufflink lover that isn’t too keen on the more standard festive attire? Or even a non-secular cufflink lover that would appreciate the symbolism of these shirt adornments.
Availaible in either silver plated or sterling silver fittings and fashioned from holly and ivy wood these cufflinks add a seasonal touch to one’s Christmas attire and make a beautiful gift. I present them in an elegantly festive, smart case complete with a signed certificate bearing information on the material I’ve used.
Click these links to purchase the silver plated cufflinks or the sterling silver cufflinks.
And carrying on the festive theme, I also have beautiful cufflinks made from reindeer antler, again, available in silver plated or sterling silver.
If you’ve got any questions about these cufflinks or any of my other products don’t hesitate to ask. You can drop a note to: sales@simon-webb.co.uk – my mail box is already filling up with requests from Father Christmas for these cufflinks so don’t delay! Or if you prefer, you can call me on 07834 375628.
And finally, as we’ve been talking about holly and ivy, here to get you in the festive spirit here’s the Mediaeval Babes back in 2014 singing the eponymous carol:
