From Native American wisdom to Greco-Roman medicine the Holly has long held itself as a miraculous evergreen. In fact, it's status as an ever green (keeping green even in the stark winter months) is a testimony to its symbolism of renewal, immortality and rejuvenation. In ancient Rome, Holly was an attribute to the sun gods. Appropriately, holly adorned Roman halls during the celebrations during Saturnalia to represent health, joviality and good faith. Early Christians recognized deeper symbolism in Holly by associating the leaves as the "crown of thorns" and the red berries as the blood of Christ. By many ancient European cultures Holly is a protective agent and is carried into the home to ward of negative energy during the winter months. Tradition holds this greenery is to be removed from the home before Twelfth Night. Druidic wisdom regards the Holly as the king of winter (very male in gender)- the ruler of the dark half of the year. I've written more about the Celtic wisdom on Holly symbolism here.