decking the halls: The folklore and traditions of christmas plants

Decking the Halls provides a fine reflection on the folklore and traditions of Christmas plants, considering the legends and symbolism which surrounds them and the seasonal customs which have accompanied popular Christmas blooming plants. Decking the Halls could have been featured in our gardening column, but is recommended here for its historical and social reflection, crossing different cultures in its analysis of plant meaning.

I feel that Mrs. Allen has captured the essisance and eligance that is Christmas. Through her time and effort, and excellent book has been produced that should survive for generations to come. Through the information found in this wonderful publication, readers will find a deeper meaning to the plants and traditions associated with the season. Good Reading to All.

Decking the Hall successfully takes on the most important task of enlightening us about the plants mankind has chosen to celebrate his favorite holiday of Christmas. Did you know that the color green symbolizes eternal life or that many of our Christmas traditions involving plants come from the Ancient cultures of Druids, Celt, Norse, and Roman? The first chapter tells the basics of the Christmas plants heritage and where our traditions first started. In the second chapter, we learn the history at the mistletoe and how it became Oklahoma's state flower. In the next chapter, the story of the Christmas tree, how it was used in ancient traditions. The fourth chapter explains the circle of life, or as we know it, the wreath and what it symbolizes. The next two chapters tell us about the European tradition of the Yule log and the holy holly. I found it interesting that again the Christian church condemned a plant because it was used in pagan rituals, only to later lift the ban. This little package with a big story to tell also mentions the poinsettia and it's heritage from Mexico, the rosemary and how it was used in the middle ages, the Christmas Rose, which isn't really a rose at all, cinnamon, which was native to India, Peppermint, the universal symbol of Christmas, and of course the cranberry and it's functional history.What a delightful read! I came away filled with the knowledge of ancient cultures, history, and beliefs that surround the plants I put out every Christmas. Some of the Information Linda Allen provides I am aware of, but the largest percentage I was not. I will not only look at this season's plant differently, I will also share their stories with those who will listen and tell them where I learned it all.