duckinwales
Twisted Hawthorn
An ancient hawthorn in front of Hen Capel Lligwy (Old Lligwy Chapel), Anglesey.
The Hawthorn (Cratageous monogyna) is associated with both the church and mythology.
Its Anglo-Saxon name is Haegthorn, "Haeg" or sometimes "haive" is Anglo-Saxon for hedge. Its botanical name comes from the Greek "kratos" = strength, referring to the hardness of the wood. Its berries are known as Pixie Pears, Cuckoo's Beads, Chucky Cheese or Bread'n'Cheese.
According to Celtic mythology, Hawthorn is the most likely plant to be inhabited by fairies. If a twig of Hawthorn is tied together with red thread with twigs from an Oak and Ash, it will provide protection from fairies. One folk custom was to tie ribbons or rags onto Hawthorn trees at May Day as gifts to the fairies.
Twisted Hawthorn
An ancient hawthorn in front of Hen Capel Lligwy (Old Lligwy Chapel), Anglesey.
The Hawthorn (Cratageous monogyna) is associated with both the church and mythology.
Its Anglo-Saxon name is Haegthorn, "Haeg" or sometimes "haive" is Anglo-Saxon for hedge. Its botanical name comes from the Greek "kratos" = strength, referring to the hardness of the wood. Its berries are known as Pixie Pears, Cuckoo's Beads, Chucky Cheese or Bread'n'Cheese.
According to Celtic mythology, Hawthorn is the most likely plant to be inhabited by fairies. If a twig of Hawthorn is tied together with red thread with twigs from an Oak and Ash, it will provide protection from fairies. One folk custom was to tie ribbons or rags onto Hawthorn trees at May Day as gifts to the fairies.