by In Celtic mythology the holly is also said to symbolises peace and goodwill. The druids regarded it as a symbol of fertility and eternal life.
They believed the tree to possess protective qualities, able to guard against evil spirits and dark magic.
Cutting down a holly tree was said to bring bad luck, whilst bringing branches of it into the house would bring good luck and grant protection to the inhabitants.
In addition to this, its resistance to lightning led to associations with various thunder deities, such as the Celtic god, Taranis, and the Norse god, Thor, and it was believed that bringing the plant into the house would protect the property from lightning strikes.
The Romans, meanwhile, associated holly with Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest.
During the festival of Saturnalia, which was celebrated in mid-December, boughs of holly would be given to friends and hung in the halls as decoration.
The evergreen holly symbolized the enduring nature of life during the dark days of winter.
Source
They believed the tree to possess protective qualities, able to guard against evil spirits and dark magic.
Cutting down a holly tree was said to bring bad luck, whilst bringing branches of it into the house would bring good luck and grant protection to the inhabitants.
In addition to this, its resistance to lightning led to associations with various thunder deities, such as the Celtic god, Taranis, and the Norse god, Thor, and it was believed that bringing the plant into the house would protect the property from lightning strikes.
The Romans, meanwhile, associated holly with Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest.
During the festival of Saturnalia, which was celebrated in mid-December, boughs of holly would be given to friends and hung in the halls as decoration.
The evergreen holly symbolized the enduring nature of life during the dark days of winter.
Source
