8. Mistletoe

Mistletoe is hardly a romantic plant, it being a parasitic life-form that leaches the life out of trees. It also causes diarrhea and stomach pain when ingested! So why do people kiss under it if it’s so non-romantic? It all began with a Norse legend. Norse legend tells the story of goddess Frigga, who’s son was killed by an arrow laced with a sprig of mistletoe. Frigga cried over the mistletoe over the death of her son. Her tears and the mistletoe brought her son back to life, and Frigga blessed the mistletoe. She promised a kiss to all who pass underneath the plant from that day onward.

People honored this Norse legend by kissing the hands of a host of a party underneath mistletoe. It evolved into the tradition where anyone can kiss under a mistletoe in any way.