ugcs3_v3_project_attachments_38B834C7-045B-4327-8193-049A1C53F971_Hagiography-of-a-Willow-Tree
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Date
Nov 24, 2024
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1
Maia Perkins
Tree, Spirit, Nature
August 29, 2022
The life of a Willow Tree:
The willow tree has a great deal of importance throughout history, but nonetheless has
religious and spiritual significance.
In this Hagiography, I will be discussing Willow tree origins
including where willow trees have lived. Secondly, I will be conversing about the spiritual and
religious importance of the Willow trees. Lastly, I will be explaining the relevance of Willow
trees to humans, why it is important to share the Willow trees story and why it is important to
me. In closing, I will deliberate why the Willow tree is such a major component of life utilized
by different cultures from ancient eras to now.
A willow tree
is a tall, deciduous tree with refined arching branches and oval shaped
leaves. Willow trees grow up to 30 to 80 feet tall, with branches 20 to 35 feet long.
Willows all
have abundant watery
bark
sap
, which is heavily charged with
salicylic acid
, soft, usually pliant,
tough wood, slender branches, and large, fibrous, often
stoloniferous
roots
.
The most interesting
trait of the Willow tree is its flexibility. The Willows are a small quantity of trees that can bend in
various angles without snapping.
Willows are also called
sallows
and
osiers, from
the
genus
Salix.
It has been presumed that the Willow tree originated from Northern China. This
tree consists of around 400 different species.
Crossbreeds’ versions of the original Chinese Salix,
the original Willow tree, were found along ancient trade routes in Europe and China. The
pathway of this tree was introduced to Europe and went through southwest Asia to the Middle
East. Willow trees were introduced to Europe in 1730. The trees traveled from Europe to North
America with colonization.
Today, Willow trees are found in the northern hemisphere region in
Europe, Asia, and North America. These trees are often located on moist soil throughout
temperate regions near waterways. Thus, willow trees have a significant amount of importance
throughout history, willow trees also have spiritual and religious influence in multifarious
cultures.
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Willow trees are considered spiritual in various cultures around the world throughout
many centuries. These cultures range from Native American, European to Celtic and the ancient
Chinese. Native Americans revere the Willow tree as a spiritual and symbolic tree in their
traditions. Native Americans apotheosize Willow trees and believe they symbolize open
mindedness, deep inner knowledge, and strength. Native Americans tied willow branches to their
homes for the protection of the Great Spirit. For protection, they also tied willow branches to
their boats. The term Willow has Celtic origins and means “near the water”. Celtics regarded
Willow trees as a female divinity and considered the tree to be linked to fertility. The Celtic
tradition, that is utilized till this very day, is the common expression
“knock on wood” or “touch
wood”. This notable saying originated from the Celtics. The Celtics believed knocking on a
Willow tree would repudiate any bad luck. The ancient Chinese strongly believed Willow
branches would repel evil spirits and would often carry parts of tree branches. The Chinese also
would place Willow branches over doorways to keep those evil spirits away. Europeans regarded
the wind blowing through the Willow trees were elves whispering while people passed by. In
conclusion, Willow trees have significance spiritual meanings in numerous cultures. However,
the religious aspect of Willow trees also has extensive importance throughout history as well.
The religious aspect of the Willow trees has been depicted in religions dating back
centuries ago. Willow trees have been identified in religions such as Christianity. Willow trees
have also been mentioned in Greek Mythology. The willow tree is discussed numerous times in
the Bible. The bible scriptures
Psalm 137 states, “There on the willow trees, we hung up our
harps”. This bible scripture was written by Jewish individuals who were being held captive in
Babylon. These individuals wrote this scripture longingly reminiscing about their homeland. In
the text, the Willow tree symbolizes loss and hope. An additional Bible scripture that
acknowledges the Willow tree is in Ezekiel 17:5. In the following scripture, the prophet plants a
seed and “sets it like a willow tree”. This written work makes a reference to Willow trees and
their deep-rooted symbolism of rebirth and vitality. In the scriptures Leviticus 23:40,
worshippers
were told to bring “willows of the brook” as an offering during celebrations or festivals.
Lastly,
Isaiah 44:4 states, "And they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses”.
The Willow tree is always corelated with a brook or river. In this sacred text, the priority is on
the importance of growth and the intimate alliance with the watercourse. In ancient Greek
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Mythology, Willow trees symbolized power and brought protection. Orpheus, the bringer of
song, carried Willow wood during his passage to the underworld to protect him from evil. The
Goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, used a wand made from Willow trees. In conclusion, the Willow
tree has great significance not only in religion but to humans as well.
The Willow tree has been used by humans for medicinal use throughout the centuries and is still
utilized today. The bark of a white Willow contains Salicin, which is a chemical like aspirin also
known as acetylsalicylic acid. Additionally,
Studies have shown various other components of
Willow bark. These other components are plant chemicals called flavonoids and polyphenols.
These plant chemicals have antioxidant, antiseptic, fever-reducing, immune-boosting properties.
Scientists believe these plant compounds plays a major role in Willow bark healing actions. A
portion of research show Willow trees is as efficacious as aspirin for reducing and inflammation
pain in a lower dose.
In 400 B.C, during the era of Hippocrates, individuals were recommended
to chew on the bark from a Willow tree to reduce inflammation and fever.
Hippocrates used
willow bark as to relieve the pain of childbirth as well. During the Roman times its use was
recorded by Pliny the Elder (Jeffreys,
2004
).
The Willow bark was specifically utilized
throughout the centuries in Europe and China as well. In China, the citizens treated hemorrhages,
fevers, and rheumatic colds with Willow bark. In summary, Salicin is a key component to the
research and development of Aspirin,
During the 1700s, Reverend Edward Stone, an Oxford clergyman, and a member of Wadham
College at the University of Oxford, researched the use of willow bark. He composed a letter to
the president of the Royal Society explaining his findings. In the text, he describes using willow
bark as a treatment for fever and shivering: ‘
There is a bark of an Englifh tree that, which I have
found by experience to be a powerful aftringent, and very efficacious in curing aguifh and
intermitting diforders
’ He also reported: ‘
It hath been given I believe to fifty perfons, and never
failed in the cure, except in a few autumual and quartun agues, with which the patients have
been long and feverely afflicted
’ (Stone,
1763
).
In 1828, Johann Buchner refined the willow tree
bark into yellow crystals named Salicin (after Salix, the genus of the willow tree).
(Schindler,
1978
). In 1829, the process was further refined by Pierre-Joseph Leroux (1795–1870)
in France (Leroux,
1830
) and taken a step further in 1838 when Raffaele Piria (1814–1865)
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produced a stronger compound from the crystals isolated from willow bark, which he named
salicylic acid (Piria,
1838
) (Fig
2
).
Pain relief from salicin comes slowly than aspirin, but its effects may last longer. Willow
bark is used today for the treatment of pain including low back pain and osteoarthritis. Willow
bark also treats headaches, bursitis, and tendinitis, which are inflammatory diseases.
However,
studies show several other components of willow bark, including plant chemicals called
polyphenols and flavonoids, have antioxidant, fever-reducing, antiseptic, and immune-boosting
properties. In summary, the Willow tree was utilized throughout countless cultures for hundreds
of years. The Willow is a symbolic medicinal plant connected to the development of Aspirin. As
many individuals, like myself, are unaware of the medicinal and religious symbolism of Willow
trees, it is important to share the Willows story.
It is important to share the Willow trees story due to how much symbolism the tree has.
As I explained earlier, I was unaware of the importance of Willow trees. A multitude of
individuals like myself are unaware or uninformed about the significance of the Willow tree. In
my perspective before writing this Hagiography, I looked at Willow trees as just a tree, however
a beautiful tree in my eyes. I was unknowing about the medicinal properties and chemicals inside
of the Willows bark as well as the spiritual and religious significance. Spreading awareness and
information about the willow tree is imperative to those who have no knowledge on the
beneficial, spiritual, and religious magnitude of the tree. Thus, spreading awareness of these
beneficial facts of the Willow tree might save a tree from being cut down or misuse of the
medicinal compounds of a Willow tree. The Willow tree is important to me due to the spiritual
aspect of the tree. As a spiritual individual, I will be utilizing a couple of these spiritual methods
that I have learned while writing this Hagiography such as placing Willow bark inside of my
home to protect me from evil spirits or bad vibes. Another spiritual method I will be using is
derived from the Ancient Chinese who carried Willow bark with them to cast away evil spirits.
Ultimately, it is crucial to spread the Willow trees story to inform the individuals who are
unaware of the religious, spiritual, and medicinal benefits of the Willow tree.
To conclude this Hagiography, the Willow trees have crucial symbolism
throughout
history. In this Hagiography, I conversed about what is a Willow tree and the origins including
where willow trees have lived. Secondly, explained the spiritual and religious importance of the
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Willow trees. Lastly, the relevance of Willow trees to humans, why it is important to share the
Willow trees story and why it is important to me. In closing, I deliberated why the Willow tree is
such a major component of life utilized by different cultures from ancient eras to now.