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Ivy
Protection, healing
Ivy is worn by brides for good luck; women will carry it for good luck in general. It protects against negativity and disaster wherever it grows or proliferates.
Symbolically, ivy is feminine. When paired with holly, which is symbolically masculine, it is said it will bring peace in the home between husband and wife for the following year.
Thyrsus
The thyrsus—a wand or staff used in worshiping Bacchus—was often wound with ivy.
Sources:
Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications
The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids
I suppose I should get a plant of ivy right away, may be able to bring some good luck in these parts 😉
I even like it.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
Unfortunately, ivy’s good luck properties weren’t enough to keep it alive in my attempts to grow it. 😛 I absolutely love it though.
Now I know why we sing about The Holly and the Ivy together – another piece of natural lore that has been absorbed into Christmas. I did not know it represented good luck.
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles – Dragon Diaries
I love how little tidbits like that persist through the years and culture. 🙂
Hi Sara – funny – I’d have thought Holly was feminine and Ivy male … I had an ivy once for about 5 years … til he got left at a house for a longer life … he was called Percy – I see it should have been Percelina. I didn’t know about Ivy bearing good luck – oh! perhaps I should find another Percelina! Cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/i-is-for-ice-age-art.html
Same here, but I guess that’s our doing with having Holly as a girl’s name. I love how you named your ivy! 😀 I’ve not had much luck growing it. Maybe I should give it another shot…
This puts a whole new perspective on the song “the holly and the ivy”.
I really love your blog series by the way! Have bookmarked your blog to return to for after the A to Z challenge, because I have missed a lot of posts in the busy days past 🙂
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Good luck on the rest of your A to Z challenge
Sylvia @ The Creative Life
Thank you, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. And I hear you about visiting blogs after the Challenge, I’m going to need to do that too. 🙂
Never knew the link between holly and ivy before and I guess that’s why the two are associated with Christmas – to ensure harmony for the coming year. Interesting!
The world’s a happier place with holly and ivy ruling the roost. 😉
well, I’ve learned something – the holly and the ivy, pairing the masculine and feminine. Thanks for your words of wisdom Sara.
Thanks for reading, Susan. 🙂
And now I have “The Holly and the Ivy” stuck in my head forever… 😀
The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales
You’re welcome. 😉
ivy is beautiful. i’ve always loved it, but it won’t grow here. too hot and too dry.
it makes sense about the pairing, . . . and now i have the song stuck in my head. sigh.
the thyrsus is new to me.
I also love it. And you’re welcome about the song. 😉
I always loved buildings with ivy growing all over the walls, and the name Ivy itself. The Ivy I knew was quite an interesting character! I also didn’t know about the pairing of holly with ivy.
I also love ivy covered buildings! And I have a niece named Ivy. 🙂
I vaguely recall the hollow and ivy combination, but I can’t remember where I heard it. Maybe a festive context?
Sorry about the typo… it should be *holly*
There is a Christmas carol called “The Holly and the Ivy”. And if you want the song stuck in your head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLHLnPZ7McI 😉
A wall of our garage is covered in ivy and I always think it’s so lovely. Now I’ll see it with even more regard.
You are lucky indeed, both for the ivy and its beauty! 🙂
Ivy abounds in my neighborhood, which always seems to have a good vibe. And there is plenty of holly, too. First time hearing about this pairing.
How lovely that you have both in your area! 🙂
Learned quite a bit with this entry — thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I’ve always wondered about the connection between holly and ivy. I shall wonder no more!
Another day in Amble Bay!
Glad I could be of service. 🙂
Hey Sara! How interesting– and it is remarkable how many things are both a poison and a medicine…
It is very interesting. Seems there is often a fine line between health/medicine and sickness.