It is precisely during the Victorian Age that spreads in England the tradition to exchange a kiss underneath the mistletoe at midnight of Christmas Eve, even if this custom draws its origins from the Celtic world and its legends (in Italy we have made this tradition our own, but we have moved it to the night separating the old year from the new one).
That of the mistletoe harvest was another typically Victorian rite: it is not easy to find here this plant that grows very willingly, however, in the woods of the English countryside as a parasite of several trees, and it was a labor of patience that was often reserved to children;
That of the mistletoe harvest was another typically Victorian rite: it is not easy to find here this plant that grows very willingly, however, in the woods of the English countryside as a parasite of several trees, and it was a labor of patience that was often reserved to children;
The Mistletoe Gatherer, Sir John Everett Millais (1829 - 1896)
its berries, very clear and vitreous, almost transparent, are much loved by birds but very poisonous for us ... so, if you think about it, it's really strange that a plant that has such ... negative characteristics has become a symbol of good luck, so much so that during the holidays, even when a person was welcomed at home, the hostess held him/her her hand just under the mistletoe.
It should be remembered that the decoration made of mistletoe and to hang from a ceiling beam became traditional first amongst the lower classes, then it became customary for the servants to hang it in their hall to become finally part of the traditions of even the most wealthy families.
But let's watch our video that teaches us how to make this last, typical Victorian decoration made with the branches of this beautiful plant to hang to the ceiling or the chandelier of the room in which we celebrate Christmas, wether there isn't the table under it, although perhaps the most suitable room of the house is the entrance hall.
It should be remembered that the decoration made of mistletoe and to hang from a ceiling beam became traditional first amongst the lower classes, then it became customary for the servants to hang it in their hall to become finally part of the traditions of even the most wealthy families.
But let's watch our video that teaches us how to make this last, typical Victorian decoration made with the branches of this beautiful plant to hang to the ceiling or the chandelier of the room in which we celebrate Christmas, wether there isn't the table under it, although perhaps the most suitable room of the house is the entrance hall.
And after watching this last video together, ~ My little old world ~ hopes to have helped you surrounding yourself with the typical atmosphere of the most traditional Christmas ever and that the warmth of the tradition contributes to heat up your hearts on the occasion of the most beautiful Holiday of the year.
I'm waiting for you just a little before Christmas for a very last post, beloved readers and friends,
see you soon 💕
I'm waiting for you just a little before Christmas for a very last post, beloved readers and friends,
see you soon 💕
~ PER UN NATALE VITTORIANO ~
E' proprio durate il periodo vittoriano che in Inghilterra si diffonde la tradizione di scambiarsi un bacio sotto il vischio allo scoccare della mezzanotte la notte della Vigilia di Natale, anche se tale usanza trae le proprie origini dal mondo celtico e dalle sue leggende (in Italia abbiamo fatta nostro questo costume, ma l'abbiamo spostato alla notte che separa l'anno vecchio da quello nuovo).
Quello della raccolta del vischio era un altro rito tipicamente vittoriano: non è facile da trovare qui da noi questa pianta che cresce molto volentieri, invece, nei boschi delle campagne inglesi quale parassita di svariati alberi, ed era un lavoro di pazienza che spesso veniva riservato ai fanciulli;
- Immagine 1 - The Mistletoe Gatherer, Sir John Everett Millais (1829 - 1896)
- Immagine 1 - The Mistletoe Gatherer, Sir John Everett Millais (1829 - 1896)
Le sue bacche, chiarissime e vitree, quasi trasparenti, sono molto amate dagli uccelli ma velenosissime per noi ... per cui, a ben pensarci, è davvero strano che una pianta che annovera caratteristiche così ... negative sia divenuta simbolo di buon augurio, tanto che durante le feste, anche quando si accoglieva in casa una persona, le si porgeva la mano proprio sotto il vischio.
Va ricordato che la decorazione fatta di vischio da appendere ad un trave del soffitto diviene tradizionale prima presso i ceti più bassi, poi presso la servitù dei benestanti per passare infine a far parte delle tradizioni anche dei più facoltosi.
Ma veniamo al nostro video che ci insegna come realizzare questa ultima, caratteristica decorazione vittoriana fatta con i rami di questa bellissima pianta da appendere o al soffitto o al lampadario della stanza in cui si celebra il Natale, se sotto di esso non vi è posto il tavolo, anche se forse il vano più adatto è la zona d'ingresso dell'abitazione.
- VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYgeXgD7LyU
- VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYgeXgD7LyU
E dopo aver visto insieme questo ultimo video ~ My little old world ~ si augura di avervi aiutati a circondarvi dell'atmosfera tipica del Natale più tradizionale e che il calore della tradizione contribuisca a scaldare i vostri cuori in occasione della festa più bella dell'anno.
Vi aspetto poco prima del Natale per un ultimissimo post, amati lettori ed amici,
a presto 💕
Vi aspetto poco prima del Natale per un ultimissimo post, amati lettori ed amici,
a presto 💕
