When you mention the phrase "Minoan flower," most people immediately think of lilies. Yes, the saffron crocus was very important to the Minoans - in their religion, their art, and their economy - but somehow lilies have taken the spotlight. And with good reason.
They're beautiful, for one thing. Just look at that image above! It's a portion of the Spring fresco from Akrotiri, showing a typical springtime scene of red lilies blooming and swallows returning from their winter migration to Africa. These are probably wild Turk's cap lilies (Lilium martagon) which are native to the Mediterranean.
Although flowers have had ‘meanings’ for centuries, it was the Victorians that really jumped on the band wagon with this idea, a particular flower or the scent of one on a handkerchief could send a very important message to a suitor.It was a whole ‘secret’ language devised to send messages or convey meanings in the form of flowers.The list is huge and varied but the following will give you some idea.
The power of symbolism--specifically, flower symbolism--really hit home for me on Monday.
My uncle, one of thirteen children, died last week. His funeral was Monday, and it just so happened my husband had July 2-4 off for the holiday, so we were able to attend.
Erin Lale
Steven, there is a sauna tradition across northern Europe, from Norway to Russia, centering on Finland, which may have been its origin. In the Viking ...
Steven Posch
Erin, can you think of any references to the sauna/sweat-bath in the Norse lore? I've always thought it a circumpolar tradition generally, but nothing...
Steven Posch
Let me add a hearty "So mote it be" to your prayers.After the election, my friend and colleague Volkhvy--probably the most eminently quotable person t...
Anthony Gresham
Since the Ukraine invasion I've been doing a ritual every morning for Putin to reap what he has sown. I figure that if Trump's ideal collapses under ...
