Plants-EN - Unico Production

Tamarix (Tamarind sp.)

A plant symbolizing beauty and youth and thus sacred to Aphrodite. Hesychios (6th cent. A.D.) preserves another tradition, according to which the Greek name of the tree, μυρίκη, took its name from the daughter of the king of Cyprus Kinyras, and sister of Adonis, who “εμυρέτο”, that is “was shedding tears”, because she was transformed into the said tree. Both interpretations relate to the elegance of this shrub.

Punica granatum (Pomegranate)

The fruit of the tree was venerated in the cult of Hera (protectress of marriage and childbirth) and was sacred to both Athena and Aphrodite. Already in early times, the Greeks considered its fruit, containing numerous small fleshy seeds, a symbol of fertility. Its association with fecundity is further stressed by the myth of the Rape of Persephone, itself associated with fertility. Persephone was condemned to stay beneath the earth for half the year because, by eating a pomegranate in the Under-world, she had involuntarily married Hades. Her annual return to earth symbolizes, of course, the coming of Spring and fertility. Both these aspects of the pomegranate passed into the Christian world and survived into modern times. The fleshy seeds are one of the main ingredients of kollyva (a preparation based on wheat grains offered to the congregation at memorial services), the use of which still associates the fruit with the underworld; while in a traditional wedding, on coming home from the church the bride had to crush a pomegranate at the entrance of the house – the spreading of the numerous little seeds symbolizing a rich offspring. For Persephone, see also Adonis annua (Red-flowered pheasant eye).

Myrtus communis (Myrtle)

A shrub sacred to Aphrodite. It was behind a myrtle that she hid her nakedness when she rose from the sea at Pafos. See also Adonis annua. The myrtle symbolizes beauty and youth because of its evergreen leaves, beautiful and elegant flowers and pleasant perfume. Myrtle branches were commonly used to
decorate temples and sanctuaries. It is, perhaps, because of its beauty and association with Aphrodite that, in traditional weddings, the myrtle is used for making wedding wreaths.
Its use in temples also survives today in the custom of decorating churches and strewing their floors with myrtle branches during special celebrations or for the welcoming of personalities. Held against the light, the myrtle leaf appears pierced with numerous little holes (glands of volatile myrtle-oil). These the ancients believed to have been needle holes made by the unhappy Phaedra, wife of Theseus, at Troizen in Attica, before hanging herself, after having her love repulsed by her stepson Hippolytos (Pausanias). Another version says that Phaedra made the little holes in Aphrodite’s sanctuary at Troizen to avenge herself because the goddess had not helped her to win over Hippolytos.

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

A gift of Aphrodite to mankind. One of the herbs burnt at the altar, to thank or appease the gods, often as a substitute for true incense that came from Arabia. One of the plants whose branches were used for garlanding statues of gods.

Adonis annua (Red-flowered pheasant eye)

Many plants are associated with the name Adonis, a Greek and Latin version of the Semitic “Adon” (Lord). The cult of Adonis is believed to have originated in the Near East and travelled to Greece via Cyprus in the 5th century b.C.. One of the myths recounts that Adonis at his birth was hidden in a bush of myrtle and sent to Persephone. By order of Zeus, he was to pass two thirds of the year on earth with Aphrodite and the remaining one third in the Underworld with Persephone. When he was killed by a wild boar, Aphrodite wept incessantly. According to the 2nd cent. A.D. pastoral poet Bion, Adonis’ blood and Aphrodite’s
tears turned to flowers. Other authors are more specific: from each of Adonis’ blood drops sprang a red-flowered pheasant eye or an anemone (Anemone coronaria), while from each of Aphrodite’s tears, which were as many as Adonis’ blood drops, sprang a white rose. See also Anemone.

Narcissus tazetta (Narcissus)

Narcissus was so beautiful that nymphs fell in love with him, but he rejected their love and adored only himself. For this reason he was punished by Aphrodite, who made him fall in love with his own reflection in one of the springs of Helicon. One version of the myth says that he slipped into the spring and drowned, another that he pined away and died. A flower, crowned with gold, appeared in his place which, even today, leans over the mirror provided by a stream.

Anemone coronaria (Anemone)

The name “Anemone”, derived from the lament for “Na’man” (“darling”: designation of Semitic “Adon” (Lord), is connected with the Adonis cult, as demonstrated, independently, by P. Lagarde (1878) and C.M. Toy (1899). The red-flowered Anemone coronaria occurs more frequently in Greece than Adonis annua
and represented the drops of blood of Adonis. This anemone can also be blue, pink or white and each year proclaims spring and
symbolizes the premature death of Adonis. Anemone blanda is another Greek species, usually with blue or white flowers. The association of the name with the Greek word for wind has led to the coining of the erroneous English name “windflower”. See also Adonis annua (Red-flowered pheasant eye).

Asparagus acutifolius (Asparagus)

A plant with sharply pointed leaves (which are really modified shoots) sacred to Aphrodite.

Rosa…..(Rose)

For the white rose, associated with the Adonis myth, see Adonis annua. The roses of this and other myths must be the dog rose or common wild rose (Rosa canina), since the garden rose in Greece is first mentioned in the 5th cent. b.C.. Anacreon (lyric poet, born c. 570 b.C.) praised the rose as “the perfume of the
gods, the joy of men … the favoured flower of Aphrodite” and says that, when Aphrodite was born of the white sea foam, “then the earth produced the lovely plant which clothes the earth with its various forms” – indicating the existence of various garden forms. Anacreon associates the rose with Aphrodite, as well as
with the Graces, the Muses, the Nymphs and Dionysos, whose feast it adorned. According to Ovid (43 b.C. – 18 A.D.), the rose grew from a drop of Adonis’ blood. According to other authors, it arose from a drop of Aphrodite’s blood. According to yet others, the rose appeared on the spot where Aphrodite had watered the earth with a drop of nectar.

Acer (Maple)

A tree sacred to Phobos, a fear-inspiring daemon, companion to Aphrodite’s husband Ares, god of war. It is said that this association may be due to the fear the tree inspires in men when its leaves take on a red colour in the autumn.

Origanum

One of the most important healing plants of antiquity, its properties extolled by at least 24 writers by the 4th cent. A.D. Also called Artemidion after Artemis who would, when she wished, cure the wounds she inflicted with her poisoned arrows.
It was widely exported from Crete. Hippocrates (5th cent. b.C.) used it on Cos for gall bladder complaints, tuberculosis and in poultices for wounds. Dioscurides (1st cent. A.D.) attributed many virtues to it. Aphrodite showed her lavish care of the Trojan hero Aeneas by using Cretan dictamnus to heal his wounds (Virgil, Aeneid).

Cydonia oblonga, syn. C. vulgaris (Quince)

The quince was dedicated to Aphrodite and symbolized love. In his laws, the 6th cent. b.C. Athenian statesman Solon introduced quince into the ritual of marriage. The young newlyweds had to eat some before their wedding night, a rule probably inspired by the pronounced aroma of the fruit.

Astartidae = Astartes / Astarte Clams

Astarte fusca (Poli 1795)

The pronounced umbo of this bivalve is reminiscent of female genitalia, thus their association with Astarte/Aphrodite. Two species live in deep waters around Cyprus:

Astarte fusca (Poli 1795), Astarte sulcata (Da Costa 1778).

Carditidae = False cockles

Venericardia antiquata

The pronounced umbo of this small, heart-shaped (thus the family name) bivalve is reminiscent of female genitalia. Hence the prefix Veneri, of some of the species.

Cypraeidae = Cowries / Cowrie Shells

Cyprae lurida (L. 1758)

According to George Perry (Conchology, or the Natural History of Shells, London 1811) the cowrie’s scientific name originates from the circumstances of a shell of this genus having been presented to the Temple of Aphrodite in Cyprus. Indeed, he adds, “the beauty and splendour of these shells render them worthy of being offered at the shrine of the Goddess of Beauty (Kypris/Aphrodite)”.
Cowries have always been the most sought after family amongst shell collectors. According to some psychologists, at the root of this attraction lies a sexual symbolism evoked by the shell. In fact, the whole shape and in particular the aperture of this gastropod is reminiscent of female genitalia.

Cowries, both local and imported, are often found amongst grave goods in ancient Cypriot tombs.
There are about two hundred species of which two live in Cypriot waters:

Cyprae lurida (L. 1758), Cypraea spurca (L. 1758)

Cypraeidae = Cowries / Cowrie Shells

Cypraea spurca (L. 1758)

According to George Perry (Conchology, or the Natural History of Shells, London 1811) the cowrie’s scientific name originates from the circumstances of a shell of this genus having been presented to the Temple of Aphrodite in Cyprus. Indeed, he adds, “the beauty and splendour of these shells render them worthy of being offered at the shrine of the Goddess of Beauty (Kypris/Aphrodite)”.
Cowries have always been the most sought after family amongst shell collectors. According to some psychologists, at the root of this attraction lies a sexual symbolism evoked by the shell. In fact, the whole shape and in particular the aperture of this gastropod is reminiscent of female genitalia.

Cowries, both local and imported, are often found amongst grave goods in ancient Cypriot tombs.
There are about two hundred species of which two live in Cypriot waters:

Cyprae lurida (L. 1758), Cypraea spurca (L. 1758)