Herbs Have Meanings Too
Just like Roses which represent different meanings based on color, Herbs have history and special meanings as well. The history of herbs, their uses, and how their meanings came about is quite interesting.
Of course we relate herbs to the luxuries of cooking, fragrance for our homes, and use in garden and landscaping ideas. However, there was a time when Herbs served a greater purpose of necessity rather than of luxury. And so in use they picked up some of their familiar meanings along the way.
Our modern world offers many luxuries and conveniences that we consider as common but weren’t always that way. Simple things like modern deodorant weren’t always available to make our lives and interactions with each other bearable. Could you imagine being at a major sports event on a hot day where nobody was wearing deodorant?
So out of necessity and to provide the much needed human odor control, fragrant herbs were used in many different ways. At first, Medieval landscaping and garden artists would “deodorize” entire areas by spreading the herbs on the floors and walkways of gardens.
Also, small bouquets were made and pinned to the wrist so that one could place it to their nose at the first hint of unwanted odor. These little bouquets became known as “nosegays” or “tussie mussies”. The tussie mussies could also be given as small gestures and depending on the herbs inside, would mean different gestures.
Some of the most common meanings that a few folks may still remember today are Sage for long life, Roses for Love, and Rosemary for remembrance. And still other like Mint for hospitality, Parsley for festivity, Lavender for distrust, and Dill for tranquility.
Like so many things that are outdated or replaced, the meanings and language of herbs is mostly dead and forgotten. And while this little bit of information about herbs may help keep it alive in peoples minds a bit longer, I think most of us are probably o.k. with it. Considering the alternative.
Written by Steve Boulden. Steve is the creator of The Landscape Site.com which offers free project plans, advice, picture galleries, and free landscaping ideas to do it yourselfers and homeowners.
