Since the beginning of time, it seems that humans have ascribed magical powers to flowers.
The ancient Greeks used rue to protect themselves from evil, and Shakespeare ascribed to it the power to keep maidens from going wrong in affairs of the heart.
Sage kept toads away.
English and Northern European myths were whimsical and told of fairies sheltering in anemones by night and hiding in the cups of primroses by day.
Fairy horses disguised themselves as flowers by day.
English children were told to avoid poisonous flowers lest they be struck by lightning.
On her way to Bethlehem the Virgin Mary stopped to rest and hung her cloak on a rosemary bush and when she removed it the bush burst into bloom with a glorious scent.
Plant symbolism from ancient times is still noticeable in our language as well. We talk of the strength of an oak, the purity of a lily, and an olive branch for peace.
Flowers also symbolize regions: the roses of Portland, sunflowers of Kansas, heather and bluebells of Scotland, and the blue bonnets of Texas.
Some flowers came to our country on the Mayflower and travelled on wagons to our west and are bound to us by history.
This is Moya Andrews, and today we focused on magical powers.
