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(the trees not the British rock group from the '60s.)
European holly, Ilex aquifolium
American holly, Ilex opaca
Festive hollies have been a part of year-end celebrations and rituals for centuries.
For early Christians, the prickly leaves of Christmas holly were a symbol of the crown of thorns worn by Christ at the time of his crucifixion; the red berries represented the drops of blood shed for humanity’s salvation. It is believed by some that wood from a holly tree was used to make the cross. This is possible since European holly, Ilex aquifolium, is a species native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. In fact, some scholars think that the word, “holly” is simply a corruption of “holy."
In the Old Country, the holly tree was once called the “holy tree.” The word holiday itself is apparently an Old English derivative of the term “holy day,” a day of religious festival that dates back to the 14th century.
When the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts in late November 1620, they saw American holly growing in the nearby forest, and we assume were reminded of their own Old World holly. The two are closely related, although the Old World variety has more brilliant green leaves and redder fruit. (This is hard to believe.)
American holly, Ilex opac, is native along the East Coast from Massachusetts to northern Florida; consequently, all early settlers in their first century as “strangers in a strange land” were able to continue their Christmas holly tradition in their new home.
Happy Holly Days.
For early Christians, the prickly leaves of Christmas holly were a symbol of the crown of thorns worn by Christ at the time of his crucifixion; the red berries represented the drops of blood shed for humanity’s salvation. It is believed by some that wood from a holly tree was used to make the cross. This is possible since European holly, Ilex aquifolium, is a species native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. In fact, some scholars think that the word, “holly” is simply a corruption of “holy."
In the Old Country, the holly tree was once called the “holy tree.” The word holiday itself is apparently an Old English derivative of the term “holy day,” a day of religious festival that dates back to the 14th century.
When the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts in late November 1620, they saw American holly growing in the nearby forest, and we assume were reminded of their own Old World holly. The two are closely related, although the Old World variety has more brilliant green leaves and redder fruit. (This is hard to believe.)
American holly, Ilex opac, is native along the East Coast from Massachusetts to northern Florida; consequently, all early settlers in their first century as “strangers in a strange land” were able to continue their Christmas holly tradition in their new home.
Happy Holly Days.
American holly range map
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