A sacred plant in India. Plants in Indian Mythology

Everyone knows how much the Hindus worship nature. And sacred in this country are considered not only animals, but also plants. About which ones, and we will talk in this article. Also we will understand with what, in general, there are revered plants in different countries of the world.

The Sacred Tree of Ashvattha

This is a little-known in our country, but a sacred plant in India. Here it is a symbol of the World Tree. Residents of this country believe that the branches of this plant can drive away evil spirits from man, and his leaves fulfill desires. In ancient times, asvattha wood was used to make ritual bowls. Scientists-researchers know two archaic motifs associated with this plant. The first is a person on ashvatthi, trying to get the fruit. This was considered a symbol of religious knowledge. Also in ancient times, Indians often depicted next to the mentioned plant of a horse. It is believed that it was under this ashvatthi that the revelation of the Buddha descended.

Tulasi

In a number of traditions of India another interesting plant is worshiped: tulasi (basil). He is worshiped as the wife of Vishnu. According to legend, she was once the wife of one of the demons. It was Vishnu who transformed it into basil. Later he married her. It is a tulasi plant with ovoid green leaves. Among other things, it is used as a medicinal herb.

Of this sacred plant, rosaries were often made, as it, according to legend, drives away all misfortunes and evil forces from man. Tulasi is a plant, which is described in one of the Indian epics. Once a well-respected sage accidentally tore his beads made of basil and asked the servant to fix them. There was no time for that, and he promised to do it the next day. However, the wise man ordered him to repair them immediately. "If you knew how dangerous it is to be in this world without them, you would tremble with fear," he said.

Udumbara and Nyagraha

Udumbara is a sacred plant in India, revered as a symbol of abundance. Once upon a time, he made trons for kings, amulets and bowls of all kinds. Fructifies udumbara three times a year, hence its sacred significance.

Nyagroha is one of the varieties of fig trees. Its interesting feature is that it releases air roots, which, having reached the ground, germinate with the formation of new trunks. As a result, it turns out that one crown grows immediately on a whole grove of trunks. According to the legend, Vishnu himself once chose this sacred plant. In India it is believed that this god floats in the middle of the pristine ocean on the leaf of the tree.

Sacred Lotus

This is the most revered in Buddhist countries, a plant, a symbol of religion. Hindus believe that the human soul, developing, blossoms like this flower. Darkness of the silt where this plant is born, is considered a symbol of the material world. Breaking through the thickness of the water, the lotus shows the world a true spiritual transformation. If we talk about the theme "Sacred Plants of Egypt", then here we also meet this flower. The inhabitants of this country give it the same sacred meaning as the Indians. As a sacred lotus, a man, throwing all that is superfluous, making his way through the jungle of life's vicissitudes, must take the path of prosperity and self-perfection. This flower is also the national symbol of India itself.

rose flower

This is another sacred plant in India. There is a tradition according to which a person who brought a rose to the king had the right to fulfill any desire. Princesses of India often walked around the fragrant gardens, cut by grooves, in which rose water flowed.

The venerated plants of the Incas

Of course, not only Indians have a tradition of veneration of different kinds of plants. Worship representatives of the flora and other peoples of the world. Sacred plant of the Incas, for example, coca. Once the representatives of this American people used it in their religious rituals and attributed to it a variety of magical properties. The ancient peoples who inhabited the Andes used it not only for ritual purposes, but also as a monetary equivalent, for the treatment of diseases and even for chewing. This plant is a bush plant with straight, thin branches and is currently used as raw material for the preparation of cocaine. In the middle of the last century, the WHO committee decided to recognize chewing coca as a substance abuse. After this, the plant began to eradicate everywhere. The widely known Coca-Cola drink contains some non-psychoactive alkaloids from the leaves of this culture.

The sacred plants of the Slavs

Our ancestors also had a tradition of venerating trees. So, the oak was considered the Perun tree of power and never cut down even under the field. It was he who symbolized the Slavic peoples' tree of life. In addition, the oak was considered a representation of the Upper World and a tree of longevity. In sacred groves, he was often predominant. Under the oaks, festivals and meals were arranged. From this tree was cut out a staff for the tribal chief, inherited.

The branches of the hazel Slavs drove away the unclean force, and the willow was considered as an amber tree. The sacred plants of the Slavs are also hops and chamomile. The first, of course, was the patron of the festivities, and the second - a symbol of love and loyalty (likes - does not like). Also very revered among our ancestors was a lamentable grass. It was used as an amulet and for treasure hunting. It was believed that it "strengthens" good luck. Birch Slavs were considered the symbol of the Beginning of Life.

Vitex sacred

This plant, nowadays often used as a medicinal plant, is popularly called the Abraham tree. In the Hebrews, the Vitex sacred plant is revered as giving youth. According to legend, once it was under him resting father of all Jews Abraham. To achieve the effect of rejuvenation, you just have to sit under it, inhaling the aroma of its flowers. At different times from the branches and trunks of this shrub the priests made priests.

All its parts are curative and are used in folk medicine and cosmetology. The fresh juice of this plant is used to cure such ailments as impotence and depression. Decoctions drink to get rid of all sorts of skin problems and as a contraceptive. In addition, they treat diseases of the spleen, liver, mastopathy, myoma and infertility. You can use this plant to relieve fatigue in your legs. To do this, his leaves are put in shoes. It is not recommended to give infusions and decoctions from any parts of this plant to children under 12 years of age.

The vitex is sacred not only in medicine, but also in cooking. For example, in Arab countries this bush is called "pepper furious" and is used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes.

Almost every nation of the world has revered plants. Perhaps in our time they are not given that sacred meaning, as in antiquity, but they are still not forgotten and loved. In India and other eastern countries, songs and poems about the lotus are composed today, and one of the symbols of our country is a white birch.