The Holly and the Ivy

 

The Holly and the Ivy

One of my favourite Christmas carols, this song dates from the early 19^th century, though the association between Christmas and holly goes back to at least mediaeval times.

The Holly and the Ivy

The Druids of ancient Celtic times in Britain, Ireland and France considered holly a symbol of both fertility and eternal life. They thought the tree possessed magical powers. Ivy represents friendship and loyalty and is believed to protect against disaster. Holly and ivy together signify harmony in the family.

In the carol, holly represents Jesus and ivy represents  Mary.

The small white summer flowers of the holly are symbolic of peace and optimism. In the carol, the words ‘as white as the lily flower’ are reminders of the birth of the baby Jesus.

The scarlet holly berry is ‘as red as any blood,’ and the sharp, prickly leaves are thought to represent Christ’s crown of thorns. The holly tree bark is bitter, like the gall that was raised to Christ’s lips on the cross. The gall was thought to be a drug to ease pain.

Thus, the carol brings to mind the whole of Christ’s life, from lowly birth to ignominious death as a common criminal.

The rising of the sun

And the running of the deer,

The playing of the merry organ,

Sweet singing in the choir.