Since ancient times, agriculture has been one of the main places in the life of mankind. From year to year, with the advent of spring, peasants entered the fields to prepare and sow the plowed land with grain. After some three or four months, the already ripened ears had to be gathered in sheaves. So what is it and what role did it play in agricultural history?
Spikelet to spikelet
How the harvest is going to depend on how the winter goes. After all, not only people needed food, but also animals. The resulting grain was ground into flour, and the straw went to feed livestock.
First of all, the meaning of the word “sheaf” should be considered from the point of view of agriculture, where a bunch of ears of grain, bunches of flax or other cereals are called that way. It looks like a bundle of herbs of different diameters intertwined with stems or rope.
Depending on the period during which the harvest took place (sunny or rainy weather) in order to reduce the loss of sprinkled grain, the mowed cereals were laid in sheaves or stacks. Thus, peasants reduced the amount of sweet millet during storage.
Those plants whose seeds were to be harvested the next year were also knitted in sheaves.
Sheaves were considered the amount of harvest. In some provinces, from sixty to one hundred sheaves went for one mowing. Thus measured out the part that needed to be paid in taxes.
Place in history
In the symbolism of various countries you can find mention of sheaves. What is it and what does it matter?
The pile of ears collected on the field first was always revered. She was decorated with ribbons and placed in the "red" corner of the house. It was believed that the longer this sheaf is preserved, the more productive and successful the next year will become.
Sheaves of ears were also depicted on the arms of numerous cities, regions, countries, as well as aristocratic families. Speaking of heraldry, I want to note that a sheaf is such a way to show neighbors and spiteful critics who are richer. After all, golden ears full of grains are a symbol of wealth, stability and respect.
Million Scarlet roses
The word “sheaf” is often used in the meaning of “large”, “huge”. It is applicable mainly to armfuls of wild, wild grasses. I want to note that “sheaf” is a word that is more often used in youth slang than in its correct, original form.
In addition, one can often hear the phrase “a sheaf of sparks”, “a sheaf of fire”. We are talking about a stream of light, fire, sparks flying out of one place. Most often in this context, it applies to fireworks, welding, and sunbeams.