The most revered human qualities are: courage, strength, ingenuity, the ability to stand up for yourself and others, courage. Not many people know that each of these qualities completely coincides with the symbolism of plants such as oak and laurel.
Symbols and designations
Even the ancient Germans and Slavs believed in the great power of the oak tree. According to pagan beliefs, it was believed that the souls of deceased ancestors lived in the oak crown, who contemplated what their descendants were doing.
The ancient Greeks, and later the Romans, identified the oak with the gods of fertility, thunder and lightning. This was due to the fact that the tree itself could easily withstand a lightning strike, survive and not burn out during a thunderstorm.
During the Olympic Games wreaths of oak and laurel leaves were awarded to the winners. The oak wreath became a reward for courageous and strong athletes, while the laurel wreath was intended for poets and playwrights.
This division was due to the fact that laurel is a symbol of the eternal, unforgettable. The bay leaf represented peace and victory. Laurel groves grew in abundance near the temples of Dionysus and Apollo.
Roman commanders and commanders loved to decorate their heads with wreaths of the leaves of theseplants, returning with victory from campaigns. Later, living branches were replaced with wreaths cast from inexpensive metal or gold, which later became the prototype of the crown (the royal crown and the main attribute of any monarch).
Strength and courage
The oak wreath and the wood of this tree were highly valued in ancient times. Researchers believe that the staff of Hercules was carved from an oak branch. In addition, the symbolism of the oak tree appears in many legends and myths of various countries.
In Greek myths, an oak tree flickers every now and then. Jason removed the Golden Fleece from an ancient oak, and the mast of the ship was also made from its wood. The club of Hercules became the prototype of the staff of kings, as well as power, valor and honor.
The oak tree represents the masculine principle, and its fruits (acorns) represent fertility and we alth. In the old days, a wreath of oak leaves was used as a talisman against evil spirits, to strengthen the body and fortitude of a warrior.
Heraldry
The symbolism of the oak allowed for many years to use the oak wreath as a distinctive sign of the military personnel of various countries. It can be seen on the uniforms of the US military, Germany, Russia.
In America there is a special award in the form of an oak leaf of several degrees. It is awarded to especially distinguished soldiers for rescuing civilians. Depending on the number of awards received, the degrees differ, as well as the metal from which the patch is smelted. The largest number of additional characters received is eleven.
During World War II, Wehrmacht soldiers from special units wore an insignia - an oak wreath. He went as an addition to the award of the Knight's Cross with oak leaves.
The most original insignia can rightfully be considered the special patches of the Luftwaffe soldiers. Their emblem depicted a laurel, oak wreath with an eagle in the middle, where oak leaves meant valor, and laurel - glory.
Beliefs and magical rituals
In the UK in the old days there was a belief that headaches can be removed with a nail and a hammer. With these things, it was necessary to come to the oak tree and hammer a nail into its trunk.
In the pagan holidays associated with the solstice, divination was performed. To do this, they took acorns and split them to see their middle. If it was spoiled, it promised financial losses.
A do-it-yourself wreath of oak leaves was made as a charm for the home. With his help, they tried to protect and clean the home. In the main church and folk festivals in the Middle Ages, garlands and wreaths of oak, spruce, holly decorated houses, streets, so that we alth, stability and he alth would visit them.
In Christianity, an oak wreath and a laurel branch symbolize eternal life, resurrection and joy. And the very shape of the wreath (a vicious circle) means the eternal process of rebirth and circulation in nature, the path from birth to death.
In the countries of the former CIS, as well as in Asia, wood, leaves, and the tree itself were considered a panacea formany diseases. A decoction of oak bark was used to treat toothache, headache, muscle weakness, and children's ailments. In addition, parts of the tree were used on the farm to repel snakes.
