What are the myths and legends about orchids
The orchid has been known to people for over 3 thousand years. But it appeared in the late Cretaceous era. A confirmation of this fact is found amber, in the middle of which there was a bee with a pollinarium (organ of culture). It has been established that the stone is about 15-20 million years old. Over the centuries-old history, numerous myths about orchids have been formed.
Orchid myths
Legend of the origin of the flower
Phalaenopsis orchid originated in New Zealand. The beauty of the flower attracted a lot of attention, and people began to associate signs and superstitions with it. So they believe that Phalaenopsis:
- enhances feminine beauty and charm;
- dares unreliable men;
- keeps the well-being at home;
- protects the owner from evil spirits;
- charges with positive energy.
Phalaenopsis itself, according to Maori legend, is of divine origin. At a time when the only inhabitants on earth were immortal spirits, only snow-capped mountains rose on the planet. The snow melted under the influence of the sun, so beautiful waterfalls arose. They, descending from the hills, poured streams into the seas and oceans. Clouds were formed due to the evaporation of water. They created a kind of screen. And the sun could not send its rays to the earth.
But it didn't last long. One day there was a heavy downpour. His task was to help the sun break through the cloud cover. After that, a beautiful big rainbow appeared. Surprised by the unusual phenomenon, the spirits began to flock, each of them, pushing, wanted to take a place on the bridge, which sparkled with different colors. When everyone was seated, they began to sing.
The rainbow could not bear the enormous weight for a long time. She first caved in, and then collapsed. At that moment, the earth was covered with rain of multi-colored sparks. The sight was magical. The particles that hit the trees turned into flowers of bewitching beauty. This is how the orchid family appeared, whose representatives began to multiply.
The Legend of the White Orchid
According to the legend of the white orchid, in South America, Juan was given an assignment by the emperor. He, according to the order, had to find an unusual color in the orchid. They wanted to decorate the palace with her. A few weeks later I got to the village. His condition was serious: João was tormented by a fever, he was delirious. The search was unsuccessful. The young man was sheltered in a small church, where they began to treat him.
Over time, the young man came to his senses and, to his surprise, saw that a beautiful white orchid was rising on the roof of the temple. To the young man's request to give him a flower, the priest refused, since for the people the plant had a symbolic meaning. In the years of famine brought on by the drought, the faith of Christians weakened. They began to turn to the pagan gods. The priest tried to bring people back to the church. To do this, he promised that the rains will pass after the villagers give the most valuable thing to the temple. Then the people brought a magnificent orchid that was on the altar used for pagan rites. It started raining immediately after that. After its completion, the petals of the flower turned white - the water washed away all shades from them.
White orchid
Orchids - "daughters of the air"
Such a beautiful name was given to the plant by the Amazon Indians. According to their beliefs, gods once lived on earth. The goddess Orchid stood out as a special beauty among them.
Born from the love of the god of honesty and the goddess of joy, she saw all the brightest and most tender on earth. Some gods condemned her for her inability to notice the gross and dark. The Orchid was believed to lack wisdom. This gave rise to discord between the gods, who split into two groups. Thus, a threat to the life of the young goddess arose.
The patron saint of all types of art - a god named Archie, heard about the kindness of the Orchid, fell in love with her. The goddess conquered him with her kindness, although they never met, but their vision of light was different, since art is unthinkable without shadows, hard lines that Orchid did not notice. For Archie, this became a threat to his existence. He lost his skill, but he did not have enough strength to overcome the pernicious passion.
The goddess tried to meet with Archie, but it was impossible while she was being judged. Then the god of art kidnapped the girl, for which he was severely punished. He was expelled, and Orchid was doomed to the eternal search for a lover. Closing her eyes, the goddess turned into an exquisite flower.
The Spider Orchid Myth
The culture of a plant such as Phalaenopsis Orchid is distinguished by a variety of varieties. The flowers of many of them resemble insects. Legend has it that the spider-like plant originated from a competition between a simple girl Arkhana and Athena. The young woman claimed that she had the gift of weaving at such a level that no one could surpass her.
The carpet of the goddess turned out to be the pinnacle of skill, but Arkhana tried to surprise everyone, and on her product depicted the love sins of Zeus and other gods. In a fit of anger, Athena destroyed the girl's carpet and hit her. Having learned about the fate of her product, the young woman hanged herself. The goddess saved Arkhana, but turned into a flower in the form of a spider. This is how phalaenopsis appeared.
Conclusion
Legends about orchids are someone's speculation, humanity always surrounds beauty with myths.