GLRP:EMs:Misc Events:2010:The Holly & The Ivy

Over the River and Through the Woods

December 2, 2010
In medieval times, there were many songs about strife between holly trees and ivy plants. Holly symbolized men and ivy symbolized women. A song from that time that you may still hear at the holidays is “The Holly and The Ivy”, in which the holly carries the day:

The holly and the ivy

When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood

The holly bears the crown

A song in which the ivy wins, “Ivy, Chief of Trees”:

The most worthy is she in town

He who says other, says amiss
Worthy is she to bear the crown

Veni coronaberis

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