Forest violets are flowers to which many legends, myths and solemn rituals are dedicated to many peoples of the world. So, according to Russian folk belief, the girls ate their roots in order to attract grooms. In the spring, having found the first forest violets at the edge, the peasants necessarily ate three flowers so as not to get sick for a whole year. Therefore, the Old Russian name is beautiful in them - "Lyubka".
In the Jewish folk epos, forest violets owe their appearance to Adam weeping for the bounties of paradise. After his exile, he and Eve settled in Ceylon. Feeling the difference between the island and paradise, he repented of his sin so much that he constantly asked for forgiveness of God. The Most High had mercy on him and sent to him with the news of the envoy - Archangel Gabriel. When Adam found out about forgiveness, he burst into tears, and his spraying tears, touching the ground, turned into forest violets. Such a beautiful story explains the appearance of these wonderful flowers on our planet.
The symbol of Athens is the violet forest. Photos of coins of the ancient Sicilian city of Genna in Italian museums also show the image of this noble flower. And indeed, the ancient Romans did not do a single holiday without it. They wore forest violets in bouquets, pinned to dresses. Poets composed poems, and musicians sang them in their works. There are peoples who have dedicated national holidays to this plant. For example, in Austria people still celebrate violet every spring. Magnificent national celebrations are held both in the center of Vienna and in every provincial town.
Various myths and legends explain in an interesting way the appearance of forest violets. So, according to one version, we know that the machinations of the loving Apollo served as the reason why every spring our forests are filled with the divine fragrance of these flowers. He liked one of the beautiful daughters of Atlas. And he began to burn her with his rays. To get rid of the pursuer, the girl turned to Zeus with a request to save her from this heat. God had mercy, turned it into a forest violet and hid it in the forest coolness among his bushes.
According to another sad version, this divine flower previously grew exclusively in heaven in a fragrant garden. He was loved by the daughter of Zeus Persephone. Once, at a time when she gathered a large bouquet of heavenly violets, a thief attacked her. This was the leader of the underworld and the patron saint of all the dead - Hades. When he dragged the beautiful goddess into his possessions, she, touching the ground, dropped the bouquet. Violets scattered on her. Since then, they live with us on earth.
But the ancient Gauls do not give this flower such sad significance. They venerate it as a symbol of chastity and fidelity, so no wedding ceremony can do without bouquets of violets. They decorate the outfit of the bride and sprinkle the bed of the newlyweds.
The medieval tournaments of knights in Toulouse later became exclusively poetic competitions, which continue to be held in our time. The main award to the winners is the violet flower poured from gold, as before. In addition, the first French perfumes were produced based on this fragrant plant.