“北歐神話中，和平之神Balder被邪惡之神Loki以槲寄生所制成的箭射死，Balder的母親——愛神Freya得知后痛不欲生，和眾神想盡辦法挽救Balder的生命，終于將他救活。Freya非常感激，因此承諾無論誰站在槲寄生下，便賜給那個人一個親吻……” 傳說在槲寄生下親吻的情侶，會廝守到永遠。

Since ancient times, the mistletoe has been one of the most magical, mysterious and sacred plants of European folklore.

The ancient Druids considered the mistletoe to be a sacred plant and believed it had miraculous powers which could cure illnesses, serve as an antidote against poisons, ensure fertility and protect against the ill effects of witchcraft. It was also believed that the mistletoe was an aphrodisiac or a sexual symbol.

From these strange beliefs has come the modern-day custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

The tradition of smooching under the mistletoe descends from the customs of several different cultures. For instance, exchanging kisses under the mistletoe was a tradition of Greek festivals and marital ceremonies. If a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life.

The Anglo-Saxons associated the powers of the mistletoe to the legend of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to the legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. Guys would pluck a berry when they smooched the girls and when the last berry was gone, there would be no more kissing!

In France, the custom linked to the mistletoe was reserved for New Year's Day: "Au gui l'An neuf"--Mistletoe for the New Year.

Today, kisses can be exchanged under the mistletoe any time during the holiday season.

mistletoe: 槲寄生

Druid: 德魯伊教團員

antidote: 解毒劑

aphrodisiac: 能引起性欲的

smooching: 接吻

（英語點津 Annabel 編輯）