The contest is a nice idea and may well have happened, but so far I haven't found additional evidence to support it. Whether we are an ivy supporter or a detractor, however, the plant is hard to ignore. Perhaps it's infected by a parasite or pest, for example, or is receiving too much or too little water. Re 'The Holly and the Ivy', I learned about this for a hub about Christmas carols I once wrote, and I concur with the view expressed here. It seems the link between holly and ivy was just too strong for the ivy to be left out of this famous carol, even though the holly was to be the main subject of the carol. Antranias, via pixabay.com, Public Domain CC0 License, Holly standeth in the hall fair to behold, Ivy stands without the door; she is full sore a cold. Dionysus is often depicted wearing a crown of ivy and carrying a thyrsus. I'm glad to know it's not a parasite as is often believed, because it is attached to a few of my trees. I find carol history very interesting, too! The symbolism of the holly and the ivy has been preserved by an English folk song, written about 300 years ago (see “Best-Loved Christmas Carols”). My wife and I had bought it for $10 back in 2009 and have gifted many planters to our friends asking for it after buying from the same outlet. Evergreens and their Christian Symbolism. Ancient people believed that Dionysus discovered how to make wine from grapes and taught the skill to humans. We will write a custom Essay on Religious Symbolism in Renaissance Paintings specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page. The newer version was published in 1868 in a book compiled by William Husk called Songs of the Nativity. This gold stater from circa 360-340 BC depicts either Dionysus or Priapus (also known as Priapos). Ivy is an interesting plant. OSB. Ancient Romans associated holly with their Sun god, Saturn. Tristan was a Cornish knight and Isolde was an Irish princess. Unlike Hedera helix, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is deciduous. IVY: Symbolically, the ivy has always been closely identified with death and immortality. Dennis Hoyman from Southwestern, Pennsylvania on May 06, 2014: This is Gardener Den I love your hub on growing English Ivy and the history of English Ivy. About Ivy | Contact | Sign In or Sign Up. Well done! Greensleeves Hubs from Essex, UK on May 04, 2014: Very informative article Linda about all aspects of this very distinctive plant which offers a useful function in many gardens and as a decorative natural cover for walls. The bible states that during creation, God commanded water to give rise to living things. A stater was an ancient coin. Thank you so much, cairennrhys! Thank you! I have a horrible fence at the back of my yard, made up of old, dead bushes. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 10, 2017: Thank you for the kind comment, Ximena. Question: What does it mean if the ivy vine is dying around your house? December 19, 2018 December 19, 2018 / Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. Marie Hurt from New Orleans, LA on May 06, 2014: I liked reading about the symbolism because I had no idea. Juvenile leaves of English ivy growing on a brick wall. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on October 12, 2016: Thanks for sharing the information, Eliza. The plant had important symbolic meanings and was part of a rich mythology. I appreciate your visit. Another association of Ivy as an evergreen, is perennial life and immortality. Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on May 05, 2014: I LOVE English Ivy, my neighbor hates it, so I get all the ivy I want for centerpieces. It dates to 375 CE. Though not as popular as holly, ivy was still used in festivals held during winter by many cultures. Alun. I wonder if your plant is Boston ivy? It also signifies a new promise. Just as in the past, English ivy can make its presence felt. During long winters with little light, ivy in the home offe… Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Thanks for the comment, Cynthia. They may also indicate that holly was brought indoors as a winter decoration while ivy wasn't. The meanings, origins and ancient traditions surrounding Christian symbols date back to early times when the majority of ordinary people were not able to read or write and printing was unknown. I visited the HubPages forum just now and read about the Internet trouble that you're having. Like you, I think that it's a pretty plant. The vegetative and climbing stage of English ivy is the most noticeable and the one that most people are familiar with. On the more religious side for the symbolism of the ivy, it depicts eternal life. Welcome to HubPages! The ivy, which clings to its support, is also a symbol of attachment and undying affection. I'll visit the Facebook page that you mention. The ivy plant symbolized fidelity and eternity in the pagan Celtic traditions and, when they became Christian, they held on to this symbolism and incorporated it into their religious practices. Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis,Let Holly have the mastery as the manner is. It's a beautiful plant. I like using it, and it is a pretty plant. Fascinating hub, especially the connection to Dionysus and the Ivy League. https://symbolism.fandom.com/wiki/Ivy?oldid=10020. Check out our ivy symbolism selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Click the link above, for the Holly and the Ivy. Symbolism Ivy symbolises fidelity (it won’t easily let go of something it’s attached itself to) and eternal life (because the plant is evergreen). It also signifies a new promise. Holly and ivy have a great significance since the pagan time when even the Christianity wasn't there. It is a beautiful creeper and with symbolism, tradition and mythology that you pointed out behind it, I am sure my family will start respecting it even more. On the more religious side for the symbolism of the ivy, it depicts eternal life. Maren Elizabeth Morgan from Pennsylvania on May 04, 2014: Lovely, lovely topic and article. To me Poison-Ivy symbolize the powers of death as well as life. Despite the fact that it adheres to tree trunks, English ivy isn't a parasite. In certain parts of Britain, some people think that ivy will bring bad luck if it’s brought indoors. "The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional British folk Christmas carol, listed as number 514 in the Roud Folk Song Index. Add to Bookmarks. Nithya Venkat from Dubai on May 07, 2014: Great hub, about the English Ivy. Wrestling with God Show. In the last verse of this carol, Ivy appears to have won the debate about who "will have the mastery" as Holly goes down on one knee in front of her. The "holly" in the carol refers to Christ and the theme of the carol is his life. Petr Flippov, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 License. Spanish painters adopted the iris as the attribute of the Queen of Heaven and as an attribute of the Immaculate Conception. I appreciate your visit. Laurel. Ivy is believed to have many different representations. English ivy reproductive stems and flowers; the leaves are oval and pointed instead of lobed, H. Zell, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 License. Ivy is unusual among these species in being also associated with death and melancholy as well as rebirth. If the fundamental conceptual symbolism was lost in that little introduction, evergreen represents life and eternity (essentially immortality), along with clinging attachment. Because it is forever green, it is a symbol of fidelity and eternal life. Some of the Ivy League stories may have referred to Boston ivy instead of English ivy. Dionysus (/ d aɪ. Mel Carriere from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on May 15, 2014: Fantastic hub. I appreciate your support. The ivy leaf is also phallic, depicting the male trinity, but it can also be a female symbol denoting a force in need of protection. It's a free magazine so it doesn't pay, but writers get a free ad and a plug for your website or hubpages profile or whatever you want. Very interesting article. It's certainly a successful plant. Question: Is an ivy plant thought to bring bad luck in British tradition? Christian symbols have become an inescapable part of religious culture. What a wonderful thought for a Sunday morning? However, it can be different on other species of ivy. Holly is given the starring role in the song and ivy is ignored, so it seems strange that ivy is even mentioned. Up votes and pinning to my plants board. That being said, different individuals, groups, and cultures have different beliefs and traditions. The use of ivy during winter also goes back thousands of years. So, ivy is in the Gingko family. New episodes: weekly. Thank you for the education. One of only five woody climbers, like mistletoe it can form dense growths in canopies that can cause harm to the host. Not me! The Holly and the Ivy is also related to an older carol described by Sharp as: "The Contest of the Ivy and the Holly", a contest between the traditional emblems of woman and man respectively. When Christianity came in to existence, use of these green leaves remained in spite of many objections. Red wine grapes; both grapes and ivy were symbols of Dionysus, Finy, via pixabay.com, Public Domain CC0 License. I expect there are some people on the continent who believe that Ivy is associated with bad luck, at least under certain conditions. The leaves were also used to heal burns and alleviate eczema. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on September 15, 2014: Thank you for the very informative comment, Colin323! The Pentacle is the most ancient being first found on a Jewish synagogue in city of Capernaum on the magic trail linking Zoroastrian Persia (home of the Magi) with Egypt. Ivy has many superstitions and beliefs attached to it. These traits ensure that the plant is noticed. This was perhaps the start of the tradition of using the word ivy in the group name for the universities. Another association of Ivy as an evergreen, is perennial life and immortality. Ivy has clusters of greenish yellow flowers and produces clumps of blue-black berries. Its leaves turn red in the fall. The evergreen ivy crawls and creeps towards the sky, forming a union with whatever it may be clinging to, making the two almost inseparable. Many use ivy to represent true/strong friendship or wedded love. The Sign of the Cross [The Ivy Leaf: The Origin of the ♥ Symbol] On Grecian stelae and later on Roman gravestones and early Christian graves in catacombs, the ivy leaf symbolises eternal love, i.e. In some cultures, ivy was a symbol of marriage and friendship, perhaps due to its tendency to cling. Thank you very much for the comment, the vote and the share, Pollyanna! Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 03, 2014: Thank you for the visit and for such a kind comment, Bill! Traditions may come and go, but, for all, the holly and the ivy signal that Christmas is coming, and with it goodwill and enduring hope. The term "Ivy League" at first referred to the athletic league to which all eight universities belonged. Hope you have a lovely rest of the weekend. I really enjoyed the read; Ivy is one of my favourite plants. English ivy and ginkgo are both very interesting plants, but they actually belong to different biological families. What led Christians to adopt this custom? Dionysus sometimes carries a kantharos, or drinking cup, as well as a thyrsus. Symbolism Meaning: Animals. It started out as a pagan belief but then after, it was incorporated into the Christian belief. Ivy's nectar and pollen can be important for bees and butterflies. The ivy plant symbolized fidelity and eternity in the pagan Celtic traditions and, when they became Christian, they held on to this symbolism and incorporated it into their religious practices. Thank you for continuing my education. love beyond the grave. Thank you for the comment and the votes! I appreciate it very much. English ivy is an attractive plant in the ginseng family. Number of Episodes: 46. It's easy to imagine how ivy first drew attention to itself. I think that plant symbolism is an interesting topic to explore. Upvoted and shared :-). The Christians believe it stands for the new promise of eternal life. Music & the Spoken Word: The Gift of Gratitude; Watch past episodes of Music & the Spoken Word online. May 4, 2017 - English ivy is an attractive vine that has interesting symbolic meanings. In England Ivy is considered to be feminine while holly is masculine. Even before she became a professor, she was an active investigator in the area of English literature and carols. Voted up interesting and informative. Keep up the great work and keep on writing great hubs that I will read. "Good wine needs no bush", meaning that something of merit doesn't need to be advertised because the good news will travel by word of mouth. The lyrics are somewhat puzzling. The ivy plant is native to Europe and grows naturally in cemeteries throughout England. Symbolism Meaning: Animals Symbolism Meaning: Objects Symbolism Meaning: Plants Symbolism Meaning: Inscriptions Symbolism Meaning: Gemstones. Ivy – symbol of strength and determination . The flower is also associated with Virgin Mary. In that regard, both Christianity and Islam refer to water as a symbol of different circumstances based on the history of their teachings (Rahman, Elias, and Redding 78). love beyond the grave. It's great that you have a neighbor who gives you her ivy! Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 06, 2014: Hi, truthfornow. From a tomb near ... Christianity accepted the symbolism of the wreath based upon its Roman association with honour and moral virtue. Thank you very much for the kind comment, Maren Morgan! It is also associated with the Greek God of wine and fertility Dionysus, often seen covered in ivy and grape vines. Pagan customs such as bringing evergreens into the house during the winter solstice continued even after Christianity became dominant in Britain. In many cases even grapes are portrayed heart-shaped. Learn More. When they are both full grown Christians have long seen these symbols. Many of us add Christmas trees, wreaths or garlands to our homes. Eckard Wolff-Postler, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 License. Accordingly, it was sometimes used as trimming in ancient festivals. In the Christian religion, ivy is a symbol of Christmas and rebirth. [SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LIFE] Ivy was used as an ornament already in the time of the Romans. Symbolism Sunday, Ivy. It's a climbing, trailing, and creeping vine that forms dense coverings over trees and other supports. The words of the carol describe why holly is superior to ivy, or why males are better than females. The oldest of the group is Harvard, which was founded in 1636. It really caught my eye and educated me on the background of this beautiful plant. There are seven verses in total. The plant can look very attractive on a fence. The plant has featured in European culture for centuries. I enjoyed reading the diverse traditions and stories connected with ivy, from the history of the Ivy League to ivy's connection with wine. The giant fennel may reach a height of … I hope you find the berries. Voted up, shared, etc... Have a great week. English ivy was said to grow abundantly over the mythical mountain of Nysa, the childhood home of Dionysus, which may explain the link between ivy and the god. Editor’s note: “The Spoken Word” is shared by Lloyd Newell each Sunday during the weekly Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square broadcast. Hey, if you enjoy writing about history myth and legend of the British Isles, I write and assist the editor for Celtic Guide magazine and we are always recruiting writers.
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