The botanical and mythological origins of kissing under mistletoe

Carlos Reif: Why do we kiss under mistletoe? · 5:37 · Video: TED · Watch at the source

In short: Why do we seek out the snow-white berries of mistletoe for a festive kiss? This video explores how a long-standing holiday custom is deeply intertwined with both plant biology and ancient mythology.

Carlos Reif examines the history of the mistletoe tradition, tracing how the biology of this unique plant meets ancient legends to create a modern seasonal custom.

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