双语阅读｜为什么我们在圣诞节用冬青树装饰？(3)

Holly is known for its vibrant red color, which stands out against the starkness of winter. But did you know that it"s also associated with males and is considered to bring men good luck and protection; the female counterpart to holly is ivy. A famous English Christmas carol, "The Holly and the Ivy," uses the holly symbol to celebrate the birth of Christ. One line states that "The holly bears a berry/As red as any blood/And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ/To do poor sinners good." Another line says "The Holly bears a prickle/As sharp as any thorn/And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ/On Christmas Day in the morn" [source: The Hymns and Carols of Christmas].
冬青以其鲜红的颜色而闻名，在严冬的严寒中显得格外醒目。但你知道吗，它也和男性有关，被认为能给男性带来好运和保护;与冬青对应的女性是常春藤。著名的英国圣诞颂歌《冬青与常青藤》(The Holly and The Ivy)用冬青的符号来庆祝基督的诞生。有一句诗是这样写的:“冬青结浆果/红得像血/玛丽生下甜美的耶稣基督/为可怜的罪人做好事。”另一句是“冬青刺/像任何刺一样锋利/玛丽生下甜美的耶稣基督/在圣诞节的早晨”[来源:圣诞赞美诗和颂歌]。

History of Holly 冬青的历史

Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. While other plants wilted in winter weather, holly remained green and strong, its berries a brightly colored red in the harshest of conditions.