St Mary's Church, Hertingfordbury

The Holly and the Ivy

 

In the South West corner, there is a holly hedge intertwined with ivy. Evergreen even in the depths of winter, holly and ivy are rich in Christian symbolism:

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The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.

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The spiny leaves recall Jesus’ crown of thorns, and the berries became associated with the drops of blood shed for humanity’s salvation.