双语阅读｜为什么我们在圣诞节用冬青树装饰？(4)

在冬青和圣诞树一起挂在房子里之前，它被德鲁伊教认为是一种神圣的植物。当其他植物在冬天枯萎时，冬青却保持着绿色和强壮，它的浆果在最恶劣的条件下仍是鲜红色的。

The Druids regarded holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life, thought to have magical powers. In Druid lore, cutting down a holly tree would bring bad luck. In contrast, hanging the plant in homes was believed to bring good luck and protection. Holly was also thought to protect homes against lightning strikes. Romans associated holly with Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest, and decked the halls with its boughs during the festival of Saturnalia.
德鲁伊教认为冬青是生育和永生的象征，被认为具有神奇的力量。在德鲁伊教的传说中，砍伐冬青树会带来厄运。相反，人们认为在家里悬挂这种植物会带来好运和保护。冬青还被认为可以保护房屋免受雷击。罗马人将冬青与农业和丰收之神土星联系在一起，并在农神节期间用冬青的树枝装饰大厅。
Early Christian calendars mark Christmas Eve as templa exornatur, meaning “churches are decked,” though supposedly Saturnalia celebrators didn’t allow some Christians to hang boughs in honor of Christmas. Christians adopted the holly tradition from Druid, Celtic and Roman traditions, and its symbolism changed to reflect Christian beliefs.