Every day, walking along the square, going to the store for food, taking the child from the kindergarten, we pass by the trees. And how little we know about them actually. To think, even sometimes we can not answer our child's question about what kind of tree it is, and even more, to tell about it a little more, mentioning interesting facts from botany or mythology. Today we would like to tell you about a tree that grows in Russia. This is the center of world mythology - maple.
Trees today are not only a source of oxygen and human joy, part of the landscape, but also history and mythology. Practically about each tree you will find many stories and legends. Believe it or not, everyone decides for himself. Unfortunately, because of the lack of time, we can not afford to remember a lot of useful and interesting information. Today we will talk about the center of world mythology - the maple, and the myths associated with it.
Maple (sycamore) comes from the Latin word 'acer' - acute. At first glance, it is difficult to find the Latin root in this world mythology center - the maple.
Maple is a tree into which, according to the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, every person can be turned after death. For this reason, the maple tree is not used for firewood, for bread in the oven, it is not made from it coffin, etc. It was also believed that while the owner is alive, the maple before his house is staten and tall. A person dies - and with him also a maple.
The transformation of a man into a maple is one of the popular motifs of the legends of the ancient Slavs: the mother cursed the worthless son (daughter), and the stray musicians who walked through the forest made a violin from the maple tree, which tells the story of the unrighteous fault of the evil mother in the voice of the son (daughter). Or the mother often lamented her dead son, saying: "Ay, my little son, you are my self".
According to the beliefs of the Serbs, if a convicted person innocently embraces a dry maple, the maple turns green; If an unhappy or offended person touches him, the maple will dry up.
Maple is also used in the holidays of the Slavs - the Trinity, the branches of the maple decorated houses. Previously, they were lit in the church. This rite still exists. Especially it is common in the villages, because on the threshold of the holiday you can go to the forest and tear off the branches of the maple tree.
With careful study of maple leaves, the five-pointed leaves of most maple species resemble the five fingers of a human hand; in addition, the five ends of the maple leaf symbolize the five senses. Perhaps this is why the myths associated with the maple are so closely connected with human life.
In the modern world, maple means restraint, and also symbolizes the arrival of autumn. In China and Japan, a maple leaf is a symbol of lovers. In China, the meaning of maple lies in the fact that the name of the tree (feng) sounds the same as the expression "assign a high rank". If the picture shows a monkey with a bandaged package sitting on a maple tree, then the picture is called "feng-hui", which in translation means "let the recipient of this drawing receive the official's name".
For women, maple symbolizes a man, young, strong and loving. Maple and linden in Ukraine seemed to be a married couple, and the fall of the leaves of this tree meant discord, separation in the family.
Modern people have ceased to believe in this kind of history, but despite this, it should be noted that in the life of ancient peoples trees played a special role. For each case of life they had an identified tree that helped solve a vital problem, make a medicine for diseases, protect the dwelling from evil forces.
It's not a secret that in many villages women still live, who treat diseases and help others in their personal lives with the help of the power of plants. We are confident that the maple will also find a place.