also: ホリー
holly (plant)
Refers specifically to the English holly plant (Ilex aquifolium), often associated with Christmas decorations. The cross-reference 西洋柊 (せいようひいらぎ) is a more descriptive Japanese term.
See also: セイヨウヒイラギ
We decorate with a holly wreath at Christmas.
Used as a noun or prefix in religious contexts, often in compound words like ホーリーナイト (Holy Night) or ホーリーウォーター (holy water).
"Holy Night" is another name for Christmas Eve.
Variant katakana spelling; less common but still encountered.
Loanword from English 'holly' (plant) and 'holy' (religious). The two senses are homophones in English and share the same katakana representation in Japanese.