SACRED AND MYTHICAL FLOWERS
“The smallest flower is a thought, a life answering to some feature of the Great Whole, of whom they have a persistent intuition.” -Honore de Balzac
In ancient Greece, it was believed that all aromatic plants and herbs were gifts from the gods. Plants and herbs are nature’s gifts that literally give us oxygen and then keep it clean. Wormwood—the key ingredient in absinthe that gives it the eerie green hue—is a wonderful healer because it exorcises what does not belong. Thyme has been used for centuries to destroy parasites, while lichens are an indicator that the air is clean. Poplar trees, especially the Lombardy poplar, are associated with courage and time, while Hilma Af Klint’s nature studies overlapped with her visual representations of flowers, culminating in a “resistance to unite the astral and the mental and eager longing to promote life.” For centuries, man has turned to the natural world to learn about life itself and, in doing so, has discovered healing cures and fascinating truths. You don’t have to be a botanist to love flowers and herbs or to study them. You can simply have a fresh bouquet of cut blossoms on your dining room table or a spice rack filled with aromatic sprigs of rosemary and sage.
The oak tree is synonymous with ancient wisdom; it is so strong and imposing that it was worshipped in pagan times by naturalists (from little acorns do big oaks grow); Socrates considered it the sacred oracle tree. A mighty oak tree has always been a symbol of safety; they are even thought to protect against lightning. In Scandinavia, the powerful oak is sacred and associated with Thor, the god of thunder. Mountain ash or “Rowan” is also associated with Thor in Scandinavian mythology. Because it is so abundant near ancient stone circles, it is highly associated with the Druids and is thought to be protective against evil forces and witchcraft. “In Wales, it was believed that the mountain ash had furnished the holy cross” and was reputed as so sacred, it was observed (in the 1700s by diarist, John Evelyn) that “there was not a churchyard without one of them planted in it.” Rowan twigs have also been famously used for centuries as divining rods (to find water).
Crocus sativus or saffron, an exotic spice that has a mood-lifting effect, is the most expensive spice in the world due to its limited yield and short growing season. It takes around 75,000 crocus flowers to produce a pound of saffron, all of which must be harvested by hand! Talk about luxurious! Saffron is also known as a powerful dye; its deep “golden-coloured, pungent stigmas” found on the autumn crocus, are thread-like, intensely fragrant, and bitter. They are used to flavor and colour dishes (mainly rice and, of course, bouillabaisse).
Some bizarre plants that seem almost supernatural:
“Certain plants have been sacred among all the nations of the earth because of their peculiar sensitiveness to the astral fire—a mysterious agency in nature which the scientific world has contacted through its manifestations as electricity and magnetism.” Dictamnus albus or “burning bush” literally defies fire. If exposed to flame, the flowers will only briefly flicker and, on hot days, it will ignite because it excretes volatile oils. For this reason, it is also known as the “gas plant.” Talk about flower power! Wollemi pine was thought to be extinct but bore fruits for the first time in recorded history, known as the “dinosaur tree”; it was rediscovered in 1994 and is 200 million years old! Speaking of old, magnolias have been around for so long that they are pollinated by beetles rather than bees. The strong fragrance of magnolias mimics fermented fruit, attracting the beetle. Holy basil, or “tulsi,” is a sacred herb and is sanctified by Hindus and Ayurvedic practitioners. It can be ingested and is especially good when used as a tea; simply pour boiling water over the leaves.
For more information on all your favorite flowers, visit Chelsea Flowers at the website and check out the links below:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/saffron