Page with the question from IS6 and space to add your answers


 
 
 

Sponsored question from IS6, Kirovograd Collegium, Ukraine 

 
 

What plants are symbolic for your country? Why? Share with us legends or stories connected with them. 


Answer from IS1 
 
 
 

 

What plants are symbolic for your country?

 

At first we thought that this would be the most difficult question as in Hungary we rather have animal symbols, than plant symbols. However, later on we realised that we can spot the appearance of symbolic plants in the lyrics of folk songs, in the motifs of embroidery patterns of folk costumes, in the paintings of folk art which appear on various traditional pieces of furniture, and on  historical coats of arms.
The main crops grown in Hungary are wheat and corn, that could be the reason why these plants are used so frequently in folk art. Roses, tulips and violets are also symbols often used in folk songs and tales to symbolize love, fertility or beauty.
The most important and unique plant symbol, however, is an imaginary, magical plant with supernatural powers. The world tree is a typical element of Hungarian folk art and often appears in a distinct type of folk tales. In Hungarian it has several distinctive names, such as "Az égég érő fa" - the tree reaching into the sky; "tetejetlen fa" - a tree without a top or "életfa"- life tree. The types of folk tales in which this special tree appears has its origins in the Hungarian ancient "táltos" traditions. A "táltos" is a kind of magician, a man with supernatural powers, who is entitled to climb up the tree and wander in the seventh layer of the sky.
 
 
The tree can also be the element of funny tales in which the gypsy, looking for his father taken away by the devil, climbs up the tree to seek his father in heaven, then climbs down the roots to find him in hell, where he scares the devils so much that they let him take his father home.
 
The world tree often grows out of a magic stag or a horse, it often carries among its branches the sun and the moon. In some other cases it stands on a world mountain, with its top in heaven and roots in hell, where snakes and toads live. In the tales there sits on the tree the mythical hawk-like Hungarian bird, the "Turul".
 
 

 
 
 
Kókay Mercédesz and Kőszegi Petra
 
 
 

Answer from IS2
 
 

The Latvian national flower is the chamomile or daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). This common wildflower blossoms in June, just  in time to be woven into festive wreaths for the Midsummer festivities (Jāņi). 

 
 

Sacral treating - it Yanov cheese and barley beer

 
 

A meeting in the lobules of cheese cumin is necessary it is necessarily good to chew - then all will disappear troubles. In Ligo night it is necessarily needed to be atoned a naked baby and certainly to jump through a fire. For this time the young must find a flowering fern in-field. If will find - will be happy. On legend, he blossoms exactly in Yanovu night. For centuries-old history of holiday his true did not find so.

 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

The day before Ligo of girl braid garland from forest and field colors and herbares. In the evening, on setting of sun, a garland goes down in a lake  or river. It is t hus needed to think a desire. If a garland will start swim far — a desire will come true, if will swim up to to the bank not far from a that place, where was tomentous, it is not. If a garland will drown is considered a bad sign.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Eve of Ligo of night is the Grassy (or Green) day, in this day girls and women picked flowers and healthful herbares which at this time are especially rich in vitamins: clover, clary, camomile, mint, valerian. From these field colors girls made bouquets, to compliment with them a «dad» and «mother» of Yanisa (Jānis)

 
 
 

Oak — it just an exactly that tree which more frequent than all strikes lightning, and oak garland, lighted up a sun, seem caps, complete celestial fire. Oak, as is generally known yet and character of longevity and, putting all Yanisam on a head oak chaplet, we wish him long years, that they were strong, as oak. It is considered that all collected in  Yanov the day of grass is found  by medical properties.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answer from IS3
 
 
The Cedar Tree

 

 
The plant that presents our country is the  cedar trees. Cedar trees represent determination and strength. Also there are a lot of cedar trees in Mount Lebanon. Cedar Trees Conservancy parks in Lebanon were candidates in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition but were eliminated at the end of the first stage. The Cedars og God are among the last survivors of the immense forests of the Cedars of Lebanon that thrived across Mount Lebanon in ancient times.
 
Cedars are tall , big trees that have huge trunks and need 100's of years to grow.they are called evergreens because they stay green all the year. These trees represent our country in may ways they are placed on our flag.Many legends say that Phoenicians have used cedars to make boats, ships, and homes.Other legends say tat they were used for weapons such as the wooden devices that break down gates or throw rocks and fire balls.
In addition, there is something so unique about cedars ; that is, they are said to understnd the changes of seasons as they stir their vast branches , inclining them towards heaven or earth accordingly as the snow peoposes to fall or melt. They form a shape of a pyramid with their branches , that they can sustain the immense weight of snow remaining upon them for so long.
 
 There is also a legend stating that the cedars of Lebanon was used to build King Solomon's temple.

 
 

Answer from IS4Questions:What plants are symbolic for your country? Why? Share with us legends or stories connected with them.

 
 

 

 
 
 
 

Symbolic plants in Morocco

 
 
 
 
 

maquis

Maquis is the word that is used to describe the thick, massive growth of brush along the region. The brush consists of aromatic shrubs and herbs like laurel, mint and myrrh. Olive
 

trees also grow within the maquis ground covering.

 
 

eucalyptus

 
 

Eucalyptus is a highly aromatic tree that produces leathery leaves that are full of the camphorous essential oil. These trees thrive in Morocco and provide a pleasant scent through many parts of the region.

 
 

Esparto Grass

Esparto grass is a light green form of needlegrass that produces long, sharp blades of tough grass. It grows all over North Africa and grows well in sand or rocky
 

soil. Esparto grass is used to make such items as baskets, sandals and place mats.

 
 

African Daisy

 
 
 

The African daisy is a striking flower with petals of vibrant hues. They vary in color from orange to pink to bright crimson red and grow very well in rocky soil near the coast of Morocco. It is also grown often in gardens in the region, and other Mediterranean regions.

 
 

Bay Laurel

 
 
 

Bay laurel is an evergreen tree that produces aromatic and flavorful leaves, which are often used in culinary dishes. It grows abundantly in Morocco and similar regions

 
 

Rockrose

 
 

Rockrose shrubs are evergreens that produce several blooms of sweet-scented flowers. It grows well in Moroccan gardens and along the coast of the country. The highly aromatic flowers attract many pollinators like bees and birds.

 
 Zidane alaoui Mhemmedi , from IS4 Morocco. 

Answer from IS5
 
 

THE TULIP

 
 
 

The tulip is the symbol of our country. Because, in the Renaissance tulips were a much loved plant and status symbol. They used to be very expensive. The tulip is now the symbol for our country.

 
 

The tulip is originally from the mountains of Central Asia (now Kazachstan, but Ottoman territory in those days). The ambassador of Austria got tulip bulbs from a Sultan of Turkey. This ambassador gave the tulip bulbs to an academic of the university of Leiden, Carolus Clusius, he planted them in the Hortus Botanicus there at the end of the 16th century. The name tulip comes from the Persian word for turban (dolband), because Ottoman Sultans wore tulips in their turbans.

 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answer from IS7
 
 
 
 

SYMBOLIC PLANT OF OUR NATION

 
 
 

We have a variety of plants in South Africa. The most important plant in our country is the Protea,an indigenous  South African flower.

 
 

The Protea represents the aesthetic harmony of all cultures and the country flowering as a nation.

 
 

The legend behind the historical flower is Proteus. Proteus was a minor sea god who was able to change shape at will.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answer from IS8
 
Symbolic plants in Ukraine
 

 Each folk has national symbols. National symbols it is the most  favorite and respected  things in this country. These things can be plants, animals and  each country has these symbols. The Ukrainian plants symbols are poplar, viburnum, oak and osier.

 

 One of the most respected tree on the Ukraine is osier.

     It`s very difficult to imagine our country without this beautiful tree. Roots of the osier keeps the coasts and cleans the rivers. People threw osier`s roots into the pits, into the pails with water put little boards of it – like this they cleaned the water.Osier is symbol of the meetings and crowds. This tree doesn`t live for a long time.

 

 

     The second national symbol of the Ukraine is poplar.

By the legend, in one village there were beautiful girl called Polya and brave boy called Striba. They felled in love with each other. One day older people asked Striba to go to the nearby village. The boy walked, but on the way he saw enemy`s army. He run to the native village and told the people about the army. People took animals, food and went to the mountains, because they wanted to wait when enemies will leave their village. In the mountains them saw the God of thunder and lightning Perun. He wanted to know why are they here. People told him about their problems. In this moment Perun saw Polya. He liked her much and said that he`ll get married her. Striba was very sad when he has heard this. Perun noticed his sadness and said : « On the grief happiness can`t be build. So she`ll be nobody`s. As he said it, he hit the stick of the ground and on the place, where were standing Polya, grew graceful green tree. The people, who were standing closer, saw what happened, but the others, who were standing further, asked :» Where`s Polya?» Them ansvered « This Polya». Striba went with Perun and became the God of winds. Like this appeared Russian name of this tree.

 

 

      Symbol of the strength and power is oak.

Oak lives for very long time. Famous in the Ukraine 1300-years-old oak grows in the Uzefin in Roven region.

  Slavs thought that oak is holy tree, which is under the protection of the Perun. Without permission of the soothsayers anybody could not fell oak, injure and spoil him, break his branches.

 

     And always our folk loves viburnum, which is the symbol of girl`s beauty and tenderness. It grew near each home. About viburnum there are many songs and legends. One of them told us about nice girl called Kalina, which led enemies to the marsh. The most of them died and Kalina died too. On the place where of her ruin grew the bush. That bush people called viburnum.

 
Viburnum  is the traditional plant symbol of Ukraine.
   
  
And always our folk loves viburnum, which is the symbol of girl`s beauty and tenderness. It grew near each home. About viburnum there are many songs and legends. One of them told us about nice girl called Kalina, which led enemies to the marsh. The most of them died and Kalina died too. On the place where of her ruin grew the bush. That bush people called viburnum.
 

Answer from IS9
 
Protea is a South African national flower, which is mainly found in the south western area of the Easyern Cape. The protea was given its name by Proteus, who was a Greek sea god. It is also known as the King Protea because of its size. In summer they bloom in flame red and pink. It plays a major role in the biodiversity found in the Cape Flora Region. It grows in different shapes and sizes. Proteas create jobs for many farm labourers who work in the flower industry. The name of our national cricket team is the Proteas.