Christmas traditions vary from foods to events to plants. One of the plants commonly associated with Christmas, besides the pine tree, is mistletoe.

Hanging and kissing under mistletoe is just another part of the holiday; it’s not really questioned. But the more one ponders it, the more puzzling the tradition becomes.

• What: Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that usually grows on oak and apple trees. (This means it feeds off the trees it grows on.) It has pointy leaves that stay green year long and berries that can be white or red. Do not ingest mistletoe — if you do, you’ll be having some very unpleasant side-effects.

• Where: One of the oldest myths surrounding the plant comes from Vikings in the eighth century who believed mistletoe could resurrect the dead. According to the tale, mistletoe killed Balder, the god of the summer sun, and mistletoe brought him back to life after his mother, Frigga, reversed the curse. After Balder was brought back to life, Frigga kissed anyone who passed under the mistletoe in gratitude.

Still other groups believed mistletoe could perform miracles like granting fertility.

As interesting as mistletoe myths and facts are, the thing that’s really a brain-scratcher is the why. Why is kissing beneath mistletoe a Christmas tradition today?

It’s pretty vague actually; some websites report it has to do with the Balder myth, others said it originated with the Greek celebration of Saturnalia. Saturnalia is said to take place on Dec. 21, and many Greeks would hang plants about their doors to welcome visitors for the festivities.

So, there’s not much of an answer to the “why?” question, but there is something else to tell.

Etiquette. Yes — mistletoe etiquette! Supposedly a man must remove a berry from the plant when he kisses the woman. After all the berries have been picked, no kissing is allowed under that mistletoe plant. Hear that? Guys better count those berries before smooching the ladies!

Well, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the mysterious mistletoe tradition. But one of the most agreed-on beliefs regarding mistletoe is its good luck. A pair who fails to kiss under the mistletoe will receive bad luck; specifically, an unmarried woman who doesn’t kiss under the mistletoe will remain single for another year. On the other hand, a couple who does kiss will have good luck and happiness in their relationship. That might just be enough to make most couples pucker up!

Whatever the beliefs and myths — or lack thereof — are, mistletoe is an enjoyable tradition for practically everyone.

Erin Geiger is a senior at Weber High School. Contact her with ideas, comments or questions at eringeiger24@gmail.com.