Ivy, Laurel and Rosemary
Ivy Laurel "We come walking with our staves, wreathed with
laurel: Rosemary
Ivy
has been a symbol of eternal life in the pagan world and then came to represent
new promise and eternal life in the Christian world. Ivy is more of an
English Christmas green than an American one. It is considered a feeble
clinging plant, rather feminine in nature, not at all like the masculine sturdy
holly leaf. It was the ancient symbol of Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry.
Among the Romans who remained pagan, the laurel leaf was sacred to the sun
god Apollo. In the Christian sect it came to symbolize the triumph of
Humanity as represented by the Son Man. Bay is also a name used for
laurel. As the bay tree, the true laurel of the Ancients, is scarce in
England. Substitutions such the common cherry laurel, the Portugal laurel, the
Aucuba and others are often used. A British Christmas carol about the three
kings leans heavily on the word "laurel".
We seek the King Jesus, Him that saves, To Bring Him laurel..."
Rosemary is yet another Christmas green. Though now it is used
to mainly season foods, during the Middle Ages it was spread on the floor at
Christmas. As people walked on it, the fragrant smell arose filling the
house. The story associated with the shrub is that Mary laid the garments
of the Christ Child on its branches and caused it to have such a wonderful
aroma. It is also said that rosemary is extremely offensive to evil
spirits, thus, being well suited to the advent of their Conqueror. The
name rosemary is given, too, an association to the Virgin Mary's name, making it
all the more fitting for the Christmas season.