The most revered human qualities are: courage, strength, ingenuity, the ability to stand up for oneself and others, courage. Not many people know that each of these qualities fully 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 oak wood. According to pagan beliefs, it was believed that the souls of deceased ancestors dwell in the oak crown, who contemplate what their descendants do.
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 endure 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, and the laurel was intended for poets and playwrights.
This division was due to the fact that the laurel is a symbol of the eternal, unforgettable. Bay leaf personified peace and victory. Laurel groves grew in large numbers near the temples of Dionysus and Apollo.
Roman commanders and generals loved to decorate their heads with wreaths of leaves of these plants, returning with victory from campaigns. Later, living branches were replaced by 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 wood of this tree were very much appreciated in ancient times. Researchers believe that Hercules' staff was carved from an oak branch. In addition, the symbolism of oak wood appears in many legends and myths of various countries.
In Greek myths the oak tree flickers every now and then. Iason removed the golden fleece from the ancient oak, and the mast of the ship was also made of its wood. The club of Hercules became the prototype of the staff of kings, as well as power, valor and honor.
Oak tree reflects the masculine principle, and its fruits (acorns) - fertility and wealth. In ancient times, a wreath of oak leaves was used as a talisman against evil spirits, to strengthen the body and the strength of the spirit 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 military of the USA, Germany, Russia.
In America, there is a special award in the form of an oak leaf of several degrees. She is handed over to particularly distinguished soldiers for saving civilians. Depending on the number of awards received, the degrees vary, as well as the metal from which the patch is smelted. The largest number of extra characters received is eleven.
During World War II, Wehrmacht soldiers from special units wore the insignia - an oak wreath. He walked as an addition to the Knight's Cross award with oak leaves.
The most original insignia of distinction 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 meant glory.
Beliefs and magic 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 and hammer a nail into its trunk.
In pagan holidays associated with the solstice, fortune-telling. To do this, they took acorns and cracked 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 a home. With his help, they tried to protect and clean the house. In the main church and folk festivals in the Middle Ages, houses, streets were decorated with garlands and wreaths of oak, spruce, holly, so that wealth, stability and health would visit them.
In Christianity, an oak wreath, as well as a branch of the laurel, symbolize eternal life, resurrection and joy. And the very shape of the wreath (vicious circle) means the eternal process of rebirth and the cycle in nature, the path from birth to death.
In the countries of the former CIS and Asia, wood, leaves, and the tree itself were considered a panacea for many 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 scare away snakes.