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An
ancient lime tree in Birnfeld (Germany)
click to enlarge |
The
dance lime tree, through its longevity, brings together not
only different eras but also people of the present and the
past. It forges a link between history, the temporal, and
festivities, and unites nature and culture. It also opens
the door to the new “green humanism” that is growing
today in response to increased understanding of and concern
for ecology.
The heart-shaped lime tree leaf is associated with the heart
and all its symbolism, which explains its association with
the principles of Love, Fidelity and Justice. The dance lime
tree is a “Tree of Love”.
A “Feminine Tree”, the lime often
plays an essential role in myths, fairy tales, legends and
in popular customs. Its popularity is legendary. The legend
of Philemon and Baucis, for example, recounts how this couple
was turned into an oak tree and a lime tree, which symbolised
their great love for one another.
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The lime tree is also associated with Freya, the Scandinavian
goddess of love, and with Frigga, the goddess of medicine,
who protects marriage and binds faithful lovers together.
In Greek mythology, the mother of the centaur Chiron (who
taught medicine to mortals) was called Philyra, which means
lime tree in Greek. This tree, whose bark was used to weave
textiles and make ropes, is by extension a “Tree
of Ties That Bind”, linking together communities
and individuals. The components of its bark, sapwood, leaves
and flowers are used in many medicines, making the lime tree
the king of the “Medicine Trees”.
In the epic poem the Niebelungenlied, the mother of the hero
Siegfried is called Sieglinde. This name can be translated
as “lime tree of victory”, “sweet victory”,
or simply “lady of the lime tree”. |
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