Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees

by Ernst Lehner, Johanna Lehner

Overview

This profusely illustrated archive of more than 200 flowers, plants, and trees was compiled by Ernst and Johanna Lehner -- two of the world's foremost collectors of pictorial symbols (who also happen to be devoted flower enthusiasts). Their comprehensive collection, with illustrations selected from rare sources, extends from the image of a pomegranate, the Chinese symbol of fertility, to a basket of flowers in a nineteenth-century Valentine silhouette. A profusion of bouquets, wreaths, flowers of the months, and other floral designs are also included. In examining the symbolism of flora, the authors consider the religious, magical, and legendary significance of plants such as the mandrake, used as an opiate and love potion; the lotus, revered by the Egyptians and the Mayas of Central America; the mistletoe, a plant believed by the ancients to be capable of raising people from the dead; as well as the Bo tree, sunflower, dragon tree, ice plant, and many other botanical specimens. The development of horticultural images in heraldic devices, emblems, and symbols is also discussed, and a concluding section displays a table summarizing the symbolic meanings of every known species of flora -- from absinth to zinnia. A visual treat for flower lovers, this volume of permission-free illustrations is an essential sourcebook for artists and designers. Of value to botanical experts and gardening specialists, it will also appeal to folklore enthusiasts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420971040
Publisher:	Digireads.com
Publication date:	09/20/2020
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.28(d)

Table of Contents

	Introduction	11
	Sacred Plants
	The Trees of Life and Knowledge	13
	The Tree of Life	15
	The Tree of Knowledge	18
	The Yggdrasill	20
	The Rod of Aaron	22
	The Acacia	23
	The Acorus	24
	The Bo Tree	24
	The Cassia	25
	The Cedar	25
	The Date Palm	26
	The Fig Tree	29
	The Three Blessed Fruits	30
	The Lily	32
	The Lotus	34
	The Mistletoe	41
	The Myrtle	41
	The Oak Tree	42
	The Oxalis (Shamrock)	43
	The Passionflower	44
	The Persea	45
	The Peruvian Mastic	46
	The Resurrection Flower	47
	The Sandalwood	47
	The Soma	48
	The Sunflower	48
	The Sycamore	49
	The Vervain	49
	The Vine	50
	Flower Lore and Legend
	The Acanthus	52
	The Aconite	53
	The Adonis	53
	The Anemone	54
	The Carnation	54
	The Clover	55
	The Cornflower	55
	The Crocus	56
	The Cypress	57
	The Daisy	58
	The Edelweiss	58
	The Forget-me-not	59
	The Hawthorn	59
	The Hazelnut	60
	The Heliotrope	63
	The Hyacinth	63
	The Iris (Fleur-de-lis)	64
	The Ivy	65
	The Tears of Job	65
	The Laurel	66
	The Leek	68
	The Lily-of-the-Valley	68
	The Linden Tree	69
	The Mulberry Tree	70
	The Mullein	63
	The Myrrh	63
	The Narcissus	73
	The Olive Tree	74
	The Orange Tree	75
	The Plane Tree	76
	The Black Poplar	76
	The Rose	77
	The Sylphium	80
	The Thistle	80
	The Tulip	81
	The Violet	82
	Strange and Wondrous Plants
	The Apple of Sodom	84
	The Amber Tree	85
	The Bausor Tree	85
	The Barnacle Tree	86
	The Carlina	87
	The Dragon Tree	87
	The Honesty	88
	The Houseleek	88
	The Ice Plant	89
	The Maidenhair Fern	89
	The Mandrake	90
	The Tree of Sorrow	92
	The Flower Calendar
	The Seasons	94
	The Flowers of the Months	99
	The Chinese Flower Calendar	102
	The Japanese Flower Calendar	106
	The Language of Flowers
	Sentiments and Symbolism	109