Contents
This spring flower has its own nickname in different countries: “snow bell” in Germany, “snow drop” or “snow earring” in Britain, “snowflake” in the Czech Republic. The name is associated with its amazing ability to break through the snow. With the first warm rays of the sun, snowdrops also appear.
Its Latin name is “galanthus” (Galanthus) – “milky flower”. It has been known since the 1st millennium. The snowdrop was considered a symbol of purity in the Middle Ages. It grows in different parts of the Earth, and depending on the climate, it can bloom from January to April. Many of its species are rare or completely disappearing and are listed in the Red Book. This is due to the people who massively collected them for bouquets and dug up the bulbs.
When is Snowdrop Day
The date of the holiday is fixed. Snowdrop Day (The Day of Snowdrop) is celebrated annually 19 April.
history of the holiday
This spring holiday comes from England, and it is no coincidence that in the British Isles this flower has a special relationship. The British pay a lot of attention to their cultivation – it can be compared with the cultivation of tulips in Holland. In Britain, the snowdrop usually blooms in mid-April, hence the date of the holiday. Snowdrop Day was established in 1984.
Holiday traditions
Snowdrop Day is a joyful holiday that speaks of the victory of spring. Only this flower is able to survive in the cold early season.
But the snowdrop is not only beautiful, but also a rare flower. Snowdrop Day is a great opportunity to talk about the joy of spring and the blossoming of nature, as well as the protection of endangered species. Nature is beautiful in all its manifestations, but its beauty is very fragile. Do not rush to buy bouquets from merchants on this day – what if you support the poacher in this way? Flowers are best enjoyed in the wild or in a flower bed. The holiday also reminds us of this.
On Snowdrop Day, botanical gardens, nature reserves, natural parks, cultural institutions and educational institutions host events dedicated to the holiday: exhibitions, lectures, excursions, competitions, quests, master classes.
Legends and beliefs associated with snowdrops
According to English belief, snowdrops planted around the house protect its residents from evil spirits.
Homer wrote that it was the snowdrops that protected Odysseus from the curses of the evil sorceress Circe.
There is a legend about Adam and Eve. When they were expelled from paradise, it was snowing. Frozen and remembering the warm Garden of Eden, Eve began to cry, which touched God. He turned some snowflakes into flowers. The sight of snowdrops gave Eva joy and hope for the best.
Another legend is connected with the goddess Flora. She handed out costumes for the carnival to the flowers. Snow also wanted to participate in the carnival and asked the flowers to help him. They were afraid of the cold and refused, and only the snowdrop agreed to cover him with his white cloak. Together they circled in a round dance and are inseparable to this day.
Snowdrop legends also existed in Our Country. Winter rebelled and, together with her companions Frost and Wind, decided not to let Spring go. The flowers were afraid of her threats. But the brave snowdrop got out from under the snow cover. The sun, seeing its petals, warmed the earth with warmth and drove Winter away.
In Poland, there is such a legend about the origin of this flower. A family lived in the mountains: father, mother and two children, a girl and a boy. One day the boy fell ill. For treatment, the sorceress asked for fresh plants. The sister went looking, but everything was covered with snow. She began to cry, and hot tears pierced the snow cover and woke the snowdrops. So the girl saved her brother.
Interesting facts about snowdrops
- Snowdrops are the heroes of not only folk legends, but also works of art. Remember the fairy tales “Snowdrop” by Hans Christian Andersen and “Twelve Months” by Samuil Marshak.
- Other nicknames for this flower are the snowy tulip, the sonchik, the lamb, the beaver, the one-month-old, the Easter bell.
- A snowdrop can withstand a ten-degree frost. A kind of “cover” of fine hairs at the base of the stem helps him.
- The snowdrop is a close relative of the daffodil. Both of them belong to the Amaryllis family.
- Snowdrop bulbs are poisonous. They contain substances that are dangerous for humans.
- But also from the bulbs of one of the species, Voronov’s snowdrop, the organic compound galantamine was isolated. It is on the “Vital and Essential Drugs” list and is used to treat movement disorders associated with CNS disorders.
- Galantophilia is the collection of snowdrops. One of the largest collections of snowdrops grows in England, in Colesbourne Park.
- 6 species of snowdrops are listed in the Red Book of Our Country – Caucasian, Lagodekhi, narrow-leaved, broad-leaved, Bortkevich’s snowdrop and Voronov’s snowdrop.
On this day, admire the blooming snowdrops in the garden and revisit the fairy tale “Twelve Months”. What’s not a great way to celebrate a holiday?