Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe

What this episode covers

This episode uncovers the curious tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. Though mistletoe is technically a parasitic plant, ancient cultures saw it as magical because it stayed green through winter, symbolizing life and fertility. In Norse mythology, it became a symbol of peace and love after the goddess Frigg vowed to kiss anyone who passed beneath it. The practice evolved further during Roman festivals like Saturnalia, where mistletoe signaled truce and friendship. But the kissing custom as we know it truly took shape in 18th-century England, where partygoers used mistletoe as a playful excuse for holiday affection—each kiss required plucking one berry until none were left. By the Victorian era, it had become both romantic and socially encouraged, turning awkwardness into tradition. Today, mistletoe is part flirtation, part fun, and part nostalgia—a festive reminder to embrace connection, even if only for a moment beneath a hanging sprig.

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