P283 CEEFAX 283 Sun 22 Dec 22:44/44 1/2 The custom of bringing evergreens into the house came from the Roman and Norse traditions of decorating with evergreens. The holly was a s mbol of eternal life, with its shiny leaves and red berries and was also used in the treatment of some ailments. Holly was associated with good fortune and was sometimes kept for luck. It also came to be regarded as symbolic of Christ's crown of thorns. P283 CEEFAX 283 Sun 22 Dec 22:44/36 2/2 Mistletoe had many pagan associations and was consequently banned from churches. It was regarded as the most magical of plants and protected houses from evil, including spells, thunder and lightning. The habit of kissing under the mistletoe is exclusively British and probably stems from the fact that it was also regarded as a sexual symbol. The ivy was sometimes regarded as the female counterpart to the male holly and brought fertility