Christmas Customs: British Isles: Holly King

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British Isles Customs: [holly] Red berried holly with green and white ivy are used as decorations. A kissing bunch made of holly, ivy, mistletoe (missel: thrush + toe: twig), greenery, apples, oranges, paper roses, ribbons and dolls is placed in the home.

The Holly King and the Ivy Queen
Dramas are enacted with Holly, the Green King of Winter, The Green Man battling The Oak King, King of the Waxing Year, for the hand of the Ivy Queen, Spring Maiden, the Goddess. The Silver Branch of Celtic mythology, mistletoe, cut from oak trees is thought to have healing powers and a token of entrance into the Immortal World. In Welsh it is druidh his - Druid’s Weed The seeds of European mistletoe plants germinate only after being digested and passed by birds. The berry of mistletoe plants is a favorite treat of the mistel thrush. (3, 12)

The Mari Llwyd (Grey Mare) Marw Llwyd (Grey Death)
These are white-sheeted mummers bearing torches and a bony horses head fantastically adorned with colored ribbons, papers, and brilliant streamers. Small boys dress up as bears, foxes, squirrels and rabbits. All doors in the parish are shut when it is known that the Mari Llwyd commences her itinerary. The mummers would recount in song the hard fate of mankind and the poor in the dark and cold days of winter. ‘Then the leading singer would beg those inside to be generous with their cakes and beer and other good things... ..Then the great bowl of hot spiced beer was produced, and an ample supply of cakes... ..The feast began and continued for a short time, and when the Mari Llwyd moved away the leader found contributions of money in his collecting bag.’ The horse is the a symbol of the dying year. (7)