Mythical Plants of the Middle Ages

Civilizations as early as the Chaldean in southwestern Asia were among the first to have a belief in plants that never existed, and the practice continued well beyond the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Originally, this was done to disperse the mystery surrounding certain seemingly-miraculous events and to symbolically embody in a physical form various aspects - wealth, happiness, fertility, illness, etc. Later, people began to invent "nonsense plants" to enliven the tale of an otherwise boring voyage, and with the invention of the printed book, to entertain readers who loved to believe in such fables. Even spices, which were an important element of Medieval food, commerce, trade, & society, were given exotic & incredible backgrounds. The fabulous trees and fauna discussed here are just a small example of the many fantastic plants our medieval forebears believed in. As will be evident, trees, because of their longevity and immensity, have been foremost among the plants considered sacred, mystic, or mythical.

Mythical Plants of the Middle Ages is based on the writings of Ernst & Johanna Lehner and William A. Emboden.

.

.

Visit our companion site
Fantastic Fish of the Middle Ages

Mythical Plants of the Middle Ages has been ratedVERY GOOD by

Also at GodeCookery.com:

Gode Cookery - A collection of Medieval recipes adapted for the modern kitchen, with period receipts, translations, & redactions. Included are graphics, photographs, descriptions of feasts, information on period cookery, & articles.
Fantastic Fish of the Middle Ages - The fantastic and incredible fish of the Middle Ages, both real & imagined. Excerpts from a Medieval manuscript are generously accompanied by authentic illustrations of strange & exotic fish, sea monsters, and beasts.
Medieval Macabre - Supernatural and fantastic imagery from the Middle Ages - devils, demons, monsters, witches, and death. Four galleries with 120 pictures, along with the Hans Holbein Alphabet of Death.
Medieval Woodcuts Clipart Collection - A collection of clipart derived from Medieval woodcuts and compiled in 8 sections: Animals, Creatures, & Beasts; Biblical Scenes & Figures; Birds; Decorative Borders; Decorative Initials; Miscellaneous Images; People & Human Figures; and Plants & Flora.
Pilgrims Passing To and Fro - Although Chaucer's Canterbury Tales pilgrims are fictional characters, the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Thomas á Becket was an actual experience for many Medieval folk. This article looks at the lives of Chaucer's pilgrims had they been truly alive and their journey real.
Tales of the Middle Ages - True stories, fables, & anecdotes from the Middle Ages, with illustrations. Includes information on Daily Life, Food & Drink, Clergy, Religious Art, Myths, and more.

GODE COOKERY SEARCH
Looking for something specific at Gode Cookery?
Search Gode Cookery courtesy of Master.com

Please visit: The Gode Cookery Bookshop

Medieval Cookery Books for sale at the Bookshop!

If you enjoy the illustrations in Mythical Plants of the Middle Ages, then you should also enjoy these sites:

A Feast For The Eyes | Fantastic Fish of the Middle Ages
Medieval Macabre | Medieval Woodcuts Clipart Collection
Tales of the Middle Ages | Tacuinum Sanitatis

Created by Netscape Navigator Gold 3.0 at a Resolution of 800 x 600
© James L. Matterer