css parent selector

/* There is no such selector
   in 2008, the following was suggested */

a < img { 'border': none }

/* Which in theory, would set an an images 'a' parent
   border to none
   Of course, this does not exist

   Another suggestion... */

div:parent { 'border': none }

/* Pretty self explainatory, nevertheless it does not
   exist.

   You will have to use JavaScript/jQuery */

$('some-element').parent();

$(this).parent(); // jquery

//in css no way!
//but in java can use this:
$("a.active").parents('li').css("property", "value");