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The Mystery and Magic of Mistletoe

During Christmastime in France, festive sprigs or shimmering balls of mistletoe — known as gui — hang above doors, beams, and chandeliers, inviting those who pass beneath to share a kiss. But why do strangers and lovers alike kiss under the mistletoe? Especially in France, where a simple greeting often includes a kiss on both cheeks, no mistletoe required! In France, mistletoe is less about stolen kisses and more about peace, love, and good fortune for the New Year. Friends often exchange it as a porte bonheur — a charm for luck and happiness in the year ahead. With a history steeped in Druid rituals, Norse legends, and centuries of holiday folklore, mistletoe is one of France’s most enduring and magical Christmas symbols.

 


I saw  Marie kissing ole King Louis ...
 

Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

Mistletoe is a plant wrapped in mystery. The romantic tradition of kissing beneath it dates back to pre-Christian times, with folklore linking it to the Druids, Norse gods, and Romans. While its exact origins are debated, most traditions agree that mistletoe hung above a doorway was meant to bring peace, ward off evil spirits, and offer protection throughout the year.

 

Druid Legends and Winter Solstice

Legend has it that mistletoe was first used in ritual form by the Celtic Druids in the 1st century AD. These priests, who lived in what is now Scotland and Ireland, believed mistletoe possessed sacred powers and symbolized the soul of their revered oak trees.

 

During the winter solstice, the Druids celebrated the sun’s victory over darkness with bonfires, feasts, and prayers for healthy crops. Clothed in ceremonial white robes, they would climb the mighty oaks and harvest mistletoe with golden sickles, careful not to let the plant touch the ground by catching it on white sheets spread beneath the trees. The mistletoe was then divided among the community, with sprigs hung above doors to protect homes from evil spirits.

 


Les druides coupant du gui le sixieme jour de la Lune, Henri Paul Motte, 1890, Lugdunum Musee, Lyon, France
 

Mistletoe in Norse Mythology

In Norse legend, mistletoe symbolized both love and peace. The story tells of Baldr, the god of light, who was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. His mother, Frigg, the goddess of love, wept over his body, and her tears turned into white berries on the mistletoe. Frigg declared the plant a symbol of love that would never again harm anyone. From then on, even enemies passing beneath mistletoe would declare a truce, exchange a kiss of peace, and lay down their arms.

 


Mistletoe hanging in an archway, a symbol of love and peace in holiday traditions.
 

French Christmas Traditions with Mistletoe

In France, mistletoe holds a different meaning than in English-speaking countries. It is primarily a symbol of luck, health, and happiness for the coming year. Rather than being used as an excuse for a romantic kiss, French families often hang mistletoe on New Year’s Eve as part of their holiday décor. A kiss exchanged under it at midnight is believed to bring good fortune and harmony throughout the year.

 

Where Mistletoe Grows in France

Mistletoe grows abundantly across northern France, especially in regions like Bourgogne and Franche-Comté, where you’ll often see trees dotted with its green balls during winter. The plant is actually parasitic, feeding on its host tree while using photosynthesis to survive. Birds, particularly thrushes, help spread its seeds by eating the berries, which stick to bark and germinate.

 


A tree near Mervans, France, dotted with mistletoe.
 


Roadside trees in Franche-Comté filled with mistletoe clusters.
 

Mistletoe in Markets and Holiday Folklore

During the holiday season, mistletoe is sold in French markets as part of traditional décor. In past centuries, les marchands de gui (mistletoe peddlers) would appear in late November, offering bundles to families who wanted a bit of good fortune — or perhaps a New Year kiss!

 


Marchand de Gui by Paul Adolphe Kauffman (1849 - 1940), Musée Carnavalet, Paris, France
 

Did You Share a Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

From Druid rituals and Norse legends to modern French New Year’s customs, mistletoe has carried its aura of magic for centuries. Whether you see it as a romantic tradition or a porte bonheur, this mystical plant continues to symbolize peace, love, and renewal.


Bonne année et bonne santé!

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Mimi Montgomery

When this self-described Francophile is not reading or writing about all things French, she's dreaming up charming new ways to showcase Lolo French Antiques et More or traveling to France with Lolo to buy delightful treasures for their store. Mimi, Lolo, and their French Bulldog, Duke, live in Birmingham, AL.

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