The ilex or holly, and the ivy, both evergreen plants are traditional Christmas symbols: the holly for part of the same reason as the Glastonbury Rose is, because it represents the Crown of Thorns ...

Holly, ivy, white-berried mistletoe and vibrant red poinsettias all serve to add festive cheer to the home, both inside and out, and are synonymous with Christmas. And yet there is much myth and ...

Holly and ivy are traditional rivals in the forest, representing masculine and feminine traits respectively, and they have been customary Christmas decorations since the late medieval period.