What is the meaning of the kiss under the bite at Christmas?

The tradition of the muerdago has not taken much notice in Spain .At the moment, however, in countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom, it is a very representative symbol of Christmas .A Christmas worth knowing the true story of its origin

But back to the bite, do you know what is the meaning of the kiss under the bite at Christmas ? Yes, the one we have seen so many times in foreign films and series.We tell you all about this tradition, its origin and meaning.Who knows, maybe in the next Christmas, you can throw bite.

Index of the article

Meaning of the kiss under the bite at Christmas

The first thing is to know what is the meaning of the kiss under the bite at Christmas .A meaning that takes us directly to the culture Greek .The Greeks were the first to give importance to the bite, as they used it at the festival of Saturnalia and in ceremonies such as the marriage.

The reason for this use went back to the popular beliefs of their ancestors.These attributed to the bite the power to give life and fertility .

Obviously, This does not 'have a lot to do with the origin of the bite kiss at Christmas.Now, place the bite as a reference in several popular celebrations, laying the groundwork for its later significance.

The Greeks they also believed that the bite was a peace plant .A plant that could help reconcile when family, friends or couples faced each other.Thus, they established that, when they made peace , they would kiss to forget the problems they had.And they would do it under the bite.

And again the question arises: how has this tradition become something Christmas? To answer this question, we must go back to the 18th century .It was then that the English acquired a new custom for Christmas days, based on the Greek beliefs explained above.

This tradition was to let the girls be kissed under a bite plant.When the boys kissed them, they should pluck a fruit from the branch .Thus, the kisses were over when the fruits did too .

Through this tradition, many pagan cultures of Europe and other English-speaking countries like Canada or the United States, joined the custom that remains in place until our days.

The origin of the bite at Christmas

To understand where the traditions linked to the bite plant come from, ant We must understand its origin and history .The first thing is to know that the bite is a parasitic plant, that is, it does not grow by itself but is born in other trees.

On the other hand, there are different types of bite .

• Bite with red fruits (North America)-There is a type of bite with red fruits, from North America, which is the classic that appears in all movies
• Bite with yellow fruits (Europe)-On the other hand, there is a type of European bite that has yellow fruits and white flowers.It usually grows in apple trees although you can also do it in the oaks.

In London , in the Covent Garden market, we can find Christmas lights based on the European mistletoe.

In Europe , for centuries, the bite has been considered a magical and sacred plant .In Celtic culture, this plant was revered because although it does not have roots, it remains green for winter.This resistance made them think that it could help people be more fertile , since they were able to create life.

At other times in history, also was used as an aphrodisiac .A long time ago, its hardness against the cold was compared with the hardness of the virile member.During the winter and summer solstices, the Druids decorated the houses with bite, also as a custom.

Later, the magical beliefs of Muerdago evolved and reached the Middle Ages .At that time they served to protect the houses from witches and other evil beings who And they believed that they could affect their families and livestock, leaving them in ruin and misery.

Why is there no bite in Spanish Christmas?

To know why the Muerdago is not part of the Spanish Christmas , we have to understand the union of Spanish traditions to Catholic beliefs , far removed from pagan traditions that flood countries like the United Kingdom or United States.

As we have explained , the bite comes from pagan cultures like the Celts.It is not surprising that these magical beliefs did not convince the Christian culture that Spain has always dominated.

To understand it, we just have to be aware of what it has taken other traditions, also pagan, to be part of our culture.For example, place The Christmas tree in the houses , is something relatively new in the Spanish houses, since it was not until many years ago that the only thing that was placed was the Belen portal Christmas decoration, traditionally Catholic.

Of course, let's not talk about Santa Claus , a custom that has not even reached all Spanish families, who only give gifts on Three Kings Day .

And if we forget Christmas, we can also see other customs that the Spaniards do not end up acquiring as the celebration of Halloween .For many it remains only in the F iesta of All Saints .

Ideas to place the bite at home

If you dare with this tradition, we give you some ideas to place the bite at home .The truth is that there are many to put the bite at home, if you are going to have a Christmas party and want your guests to have a fun time with the bite at the door .

 

You can put it in the form of a bouquet , or even as a garland.However, in the United States, in recent times, hearts made of bite are already sold to hang on the door.