The symbolism of the ivy rests on three facts: it clings; it thrives in the shade; and it is an evergreen. Its clinging has made the ivy a symbol of the traditional, albeit now unpopular, image of the helpless female clinging to her man for protection. It also signifies true love, faithfulness, and undying affection - both in marriage and in friendship. Christian symbolists consider the ivy's need to cling to a support emblematic of frail humanity's need for divine support.
Like other evergreens, the ivy symbolizes eternal life and resurrection. It has been associated with the Egyptian god, Osiris, and the Greco-Roman god, Attis; both of whom were resurrected from the dead. Medieval Christians, noticing that ivy thrived on dead trees used it to symbolize the immortal soul which lived even though the body (represented by the dead tree) decayed.
In spite of its use as a symbol of immortality, ivy's association with the grave caused it to be strongly emblematic of mortality. According to Crippen, at Christmas time, ivy, which represents mortality, should be used only on the outside of buildings because this holiday celebrates Jesus, the giver of everlasting life and destroyer of death.
Because it thrives in the shade, ivy represents debauchery, carousing, merrymaking, sensuality, the flourishing of hidden desires, and the enjoyment of secret or forbidden pleasures. Some even believed this plant to have demonic associations. Dionysus (a.k.a. Bacchus) the Greco-Roman god of wine, satyrs, and Sileni are often wreathed in ivy. Crowns of ivy were believed to prevent intoxication and thought to aid inspirational thinking. Therefore, the Greeks crowned their poets with wreaths of this plant. Although generally considered poisonous, the ivy's black berries were used to treat plague.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotes are from the NKJV Bible.
Comments© 1997 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "ChristStory Christmas Ivy Page." ChristStory
Christian Bestiary. 1997. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/ivy.htm
().