Syringa or lilac is a well-known flower that blooms in early spring. It flowers only a few weeks in the year and belongs to the olive family. The flower mainly comes from Eastern Europe and Eurasia, but can be found in many places due to export. It is thought that the first lilac flowers arrived in the United States around 1750 during the colonies.
History
Lilac was widely used in Eastern Europe as a funeral flower. The smell of the plant neutralizes the smell of death. In Great Britain it was believed that the flower would cause bad luck and especially bad luck in love. That while in Victorian times it was believed that lilac was a symbol of old love. Many widows wore this flower as a reminder of their love. The flower has therefore been a symbol of love and death for centuries.
The flower also plays a prominent role in Greek mythology. Pan, the God of Wilderness, was in love with a nymph named Syringa. He tried to chase her, but Syringa turned herself into a bush. This lilac bush had hollow reeds, and Pan cut it to make the first pan flute. Syringa had turned into a pan flute. This is where the name lilac comes from. Syringa stands for the Greek word 'syrinks', which means pipe.
Symbolism
This plant can also be used for witchcraft. It is useful to take into account the different meanings for different colors of lilac.
White - purity and innocence
Blue - happiness and tranquility
Magenta - love and passion
Violet - spirituality
Lilac - first love
Cultures
The lilac means something different in different cultures. Thus it was seen as the beauty of the divinity, but also as a protection against evil spirits.
Use of lilac
The flower itself is edible, but it does have a bitter taste. Because of this, they are mainly used as garnish. Yet many also use it during baking, for yogurt or cheeses. It is also possible to use in an oil for your skin or for a non-oil skin product. In addition, the flower is popular as a fragrance for perfume and soap.
For witchcraft, it can also be used as a spell element. So it can stand for protection or love. Pay attention to the color of the lilac to be used.
