Origin & History The holly is one of the most popular Christmas
evergreens. The holly tree was known to medieval monks as the
"Holy Tree" because it was believed to keep evil spirits away.
It was also believed to protect a home from lightening. The
early Romans decorated their hallways with holly garlands during
the mid-winter feast of Saturnalia. Holly later became the
emblem of eternal life; the pointed leaves of the holly
represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus; the red berries
symbolized the drops of blood shed. Holly also came to represent
the biblical burning bush in which God appeared before Moses.
Sentiment & Symbolism Holly should be introduced to the house
before Christmas Eve and removed on the Twelfth Night. In the
language of flowers it is the symbol of domestic happiness.