From time immemorial, people have sought to understand the mysteries of the natural world, giving rise to a wealth of myths and legends connected to plant life. In addition to their imaginative appeal, these oral traditions offered practical advice about which flowers, trees, and plants could provide foods, remedies, and construction materials. This richly illustrated volume provides a treasury of ancient wisdom, exploring the sound principles behind traditional advice, along with a wealth of fanciful beliefs. Naturalist Ruth Binney recounts charming examples of floral symbolism, linking roses with romance, lilies with purity, and poppies with sleep. She examines tree lore and the association of trees with wisdom and knowledge, from the coveted crown of laurel awarded to ancient Greek poets and Roman generals to the palm branches presented to pilgrims returning from the Holy Land. A survey of the power of plants ranges from the rituals that ensure a good harvest and a newly married couple's fertility to the healing qualities of oil of cloves for toothache, cherries for gout, and aloe vera for burns. Abounding in fascinating facts and fancies, this absorbing compilation will captivate lovers of plants and gardens.

This fine work is a compilation of flower related lore that spans from antiquity to then-modern times and dozens of cultures and species. The symbolism of some flowers in spiritual and religious paths is well noted, but here it is illustrated further by both poetry and prose.Fairly deep in its content, "Flower Lore and Legend" is helpful in that it additionally provides a fairly detailed series of references to each species (especially the rose, lily, sunflower, and clover) in their use in legend and recorded, accepted history alike. Highly useful to the occultist, the botany buff, and the historian alike.

Presents lore and legends behind several common flowers including narcissus, crocus, dandelion, carnation, and marigold.

Excerpt from Flower Lore and Legend Lone flower, hemmed in with snows, and white as they, But hardier far, once more I see thee bend Thy forehead, as if fearful to Offend, Like an unbidden guest; though day by day, Storms, sallying from the mountain tops waylay The rising sun, and on the plains descend; Yet thou art welcome, welcome as a friend Whose zeal outruns his promise! Wordsworth, To a Snowdrop. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

In Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees, Ernst and Johanna Lehner explore the rich cultural heritage and symbolic meanings associated with various flora across different societies and traditions. This comprehensive guide offers insights into how these natural elements have been woven into myths, legends, and everyday life, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between nature and human culture.