The etymology of mistletoe — a plant with small, oval evergreen leaves and waxy white berries — may strike some as repugnant.

Hanging mistletoe during the holiday season is a beloved tradition steeped in mystery, romance and a touch of superstition. While today it’s most commonly associated with sharing a kiss, mistletoe’s ...

In Old Norse mythology, Baldr, the son of the god Odin and the goddess Frigg, was slain with a mistletoe spear. Some ...

It's long been known as a romantic symbol of Christmas, but the reality is that mistletoe has a darker side to it. For one, it can be poisonous for humans. And what's more, if you find that it's ...

I have never been kissed under a sprig of mistletoe. However, mistletoe is prominently featured in Christmas songs such as Frank Sinatra’s "Mistletoe and Holly," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and ...

For many people, mistletoe is a pest, while for others, it is a symbol of Christmas cheer. The origin of mistletoe as a Yuletide symbol came from the Norse and the Druids. Both had traditions that ...

Consider the mistletoe, those little green sprigs of leathery leaves with white berries that people hang at Christmastime, in doorways and near the holiday punchbowl. According to tradition, you’re ...

Lokesh Joshi receives funding from Irish and European Funding Agencies. It’s a cold December evening. The air is filled with laughter and carols, and homes glow with festive lights. Amid the seasonal ...