holly – more specifically the european holly ilex aquifolium – is commonly referenced at christmas time and is often referred to by the name christs thorn in many western christian cultures holly is a traditional christmas decoration used especially in wreaths and illustrations for instance on christmas cards since medieval times the plant has carried a christian symbolism as expressed in the well-known christian christmas carol "the holly and the ivy" in which the holly represents jesus and the ivy represents the virgin mary angie mostellar discusses the christian use of holly at christmas stating that