圣诞植物-常春藤/月桂树/迷迭香Ivy, Laurel and Rosemary
Ivy 常春藤
Ivy has been a symbol of eternal life(永生) in the pagan world and then came to represent new promise and eternal life in the Christian world. Ivy is more of an English Christmas green(这里作“植物”讲) than an American one. It is considered a feeble(adj.微弱的, 无效的, 衰弱的) clinging(adj. 依附的, 有粘性的
) plant, rather feminine(柔弱的,阴性的) in nature, not at all like the masculine(阳性的) sturdy(adj.强健的, 坚固的) holly(n. 冬青树) leaf. It was the ancient symbol of Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry(n. 寻欢作乐, 狂欢; 欢宴).
Laurel 月桂树
Among the Romans who remained pagan, the laurel leaf was sacred to the sun god Apollo. In the Christian sect it came to symbolize the triumph(胜利) of Humanity as represented by the Son Man. Bay is also a name used for laurel. As the bay tree, the true laurel of the Ancients, is scarce(adj. 缺乏的; 稀有的) in England. Substitutions(n. 代替, 被代替, 被代替者) such the common cherry laurel, the Portugal laurel, the Aucuba and others are often used. A British Christmas carol about the three kings leans heavily on the word "laurel".
"We come walking with our staves(杖, 棍), wreathed(v.环绕, 盘绕) with laurel: We seek the King Jesus, Him that saves, To Bring Him laurel..."
Rosemary 迷迭香
Rosemary is yet another Christmas green. Though now it is used to mainly season foods, during the Middle Ages(中世纪) it was spread on the floor at Christmas. As people walked on it, the fragrant smell arose filling the house. The story associated with the shrub(n. 矮树; 灌木) is that Mary laid the garments(n.衣服) of the Christ Child on its branches and caused it to have such a wonderful aroma(n.香味; 香气; 芳香). It is also said that rosemary is extremely offensive()adj.有攻击性的 to evil spirits, thus, being well suited to the advent(n. 出现; 到来) of their Conqueror. The name rosemary is given, too, an association to the Virgin Mary's name, making it all the more fitting for the Christmas season.
