Twelve Days of Irish Holiday Traditions: Hang Some Holly

Inspired by that traditional carol, and the funny Irish version, Christmas Countdown, we're bringing you Twelve Days of Christmas (Traditions). These Irish traditions make the season so special for so many on the Emerald Isle. You may even want to try one for yourself!

Day Two - Hang some Holly

We all know the Christmas classic - One of the sweetest sights of Christmas is holly on your own front door. What you might not know is that hanging holly on your door and inside the house too is a tradition with ancient roots here in Ireland.

A Noble Tree

The holly, or Cuileann in gaelic, was known as one of the “noble trees” in ancient Ireland. With it’s bright red berries and evergreen waxy leaves, it cuts a striking figure amongst the bare trees of the forest at this time of year. It’s easy to see how holly’s vibrant appearance amongst the winter gloom leads to all sorts of connotations and associations. In Ireland, holly was connected with life, protection, strength, and regeneration.

The time of the Holly King

Celtic legend tells us that The Holly King held sway over the land from the summer to the winter solstice, after triumphing over the Oak King, ruler of the “brighter” half of the year. So holly boughs, along with other evergreen plants common at this time of year like mistletoe and ivy, were used in decoration to celebrate mid-winter, and the turning of the year.

Holly for Protection

Given it’s noble status, it was forbidden to cut a holly tree down. Doing so would bring on very bad luck indeed. Under Brehon Laws, such an act would come with a fine of at least one milk cow but possibly the cost of 2 and ½ milk cows if the holly tree did not regrow.

But planting one near your home was considered clever as it would protect you from evil. And it was not just outside, holly sprigs were thought to protect the home, catching evil spirits in it’s spiky leaves, and providing safe shelter for more benevolent faeries over harsh winter.

New holly leaves were also an important source of food for cattle over winter when grass was sparse, no doubt adding to the value placed on holly by our ancestors

Holly Crown

Ancient Chieftains would often wear a crown of holly, and when Christianity came to Ireland, this strong symbol was adopted. Stories abound in Irish folklore of how holly was part of Jesus' crown of thorns, with his blood staining white berries red. This connection lead many to believe that angels stood on the spiky holly leaves and that prayers whispered to a sprig on Christmas Eve would be answered.

Childhood Chores

Though cutting a holly tree down would land you in trouble, cutting sprigs for decoration and hanging them on and in your home was encouraged and is a tradition that has continued to this day.

Children around Ireland would be sent out early on Christmas Eve to collect holly sprigs, ideally with lovely red berries, from nearby forests or hedgerows. There would be strict instruction not to take too much, for fear of the wrath of faeries. The resulting harvest would decorate the door, the Christmas candle, fireplace, and windows, adding a cheery splash of color. This holly was left in place until little Christmas on January 6th, and removed only after, but never burnt!

Holly for Christmas

These days, people typically buy holly for decoration from their local florist or gardening center, but the tradition persists. Will you add some sprigs of holly to your decorations this year? We recommend wearing gloves while decorating if you do. Those leaves can be sharp!

What's Next?

Check back in with us tomorrow for Day 3 of our Twelve Days of Irish Christmas traditions. You might also like to see our 12 Days of Christmas offers too!