The maple leaf reveals its secrets

A maple leaf is like an open palm. The botanical name "Acer" (in Latin "acute") was given to the plant by the ancient Roman scientist Pliny. According to some researchers, maples grew along the banks of the river of sorrow, Acheron, through which the souls of the deceased Greeks were transported in the last way. In most cultures of the world maple is considered a symbol of autumn. In Japan, this tree symbolizes eternity, scholarship, vital wisdom. Because it is often planted in their gardens, older people with a lot of life experience. The Germans associate it with the beauty of life. Poles before the funeral laid their dead on unpainted maplewood: it was believed that this frightens off the devil.

The Serbs believed that the maple would help restore justice: the tree turns green from the embraces of an innocent convicted person. In the folklore of the Eastern Slavs, a maple is often called a sycamore. It was believed that it was in this tree that the person who "was sworn" turns into. Therefore, just in case, maple wood was not used to kindle the furnace, making utensils and coffins, when baking bread in the oven, do not put maple leaves under the loaf.

But in the old days maple made legendary gusli, and in our time - bassoons, guitars and drums. The Slavs believed that the musical instruments from the yavora sing and weep, complaining of fate. On Trinity and other religious holidays, it was customary to decorate houses with maple branches, so that the souls of deceased relatives could fly to the living, hiding among the branches. Some folklorists are convinced that it was the sacred tree of the Slavs, since maple references are found in all regions, and the use of names of other trees has a pronounced localization.

In the Russian villages there was an interesting tradition - "passing through the maple". The newborn child was "passed" between the branches of the maple, so that his life would last a long time. Those who believe in the special energy of plants, are convinced that the maple is able to "caress" a person, to bear peace of mind. The tree takes on human emotions, sometimes without our own desire. Therefore, under the maple leaf, it is good to relieve stress and to admit to love badly. Especially strong energy has a maple alley, it's not for nothing that they are often planted near hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

A red sheet of maple will bring love to your house, will charm the chosen one. The branches of the yawor and its seeds are protected from dark forces: even a stake for piercing the heart of a vampire in legends could be not aspen, but as maple. Through the running water of the river, a maple bridge was built, so as not to miss a witch or sorcerer.

Symbol of Canada

However, there is a country for which the maple leaf is not folklore, but the official state symbol. It flaunts on flags and coats of arms, coins and logos of leading companies. And, of course, the team of the national Canadian sport - hockey - is dressed in a form decorated with a maple leaf. Why? Usually a story is told that immigrants-Europeans who came to North America saw a red maple-colored maple, and it became for them a symbol of a new life on a foreign continent. However, maples grow almost all over Europe, and our "blossomed woods and crimson peas" also turn red and yellow in autumn.

Some maple the maple leaf in the outlines of Canada on a geographical map. The most believable is still the next version. The symbol of Canada was not a maple in general, but a particular kind of maple - a maple sugar, Acer saccharum, which grows only in the East of Canada and which has great importance in the national economy of the country.

Slavs in the old days also extracted maple sap, we simply have a different kind of maple trees, because maple syrup Rusich was not used, but kvass on the basis of maple juice was very tasty. But back to the Canadians. The Indians also extracted juice from the trees and obtained sugar from it. Following them, white settlers began to be engaged in such craft. From one tree received 50 -100 liters of juice, from which there were up to 5 kilograms of sugar.

From maple sugar made sweets, add it to ice cream, caramel and creams. And to this day Canadians eat with maple syrup pancakes, ham and even pickled cucumbers. In addition, today it has become a popular souvenir for tourists.

On the Canadian flag the maple leaf symbolizes the unity of the country and he settled there not so long ago - in 1965.

Respect this tree gardeners and furniture manufacturers. Leaves, branches, bark, flowers, maple juice are widely used in medicine. Crafts from maple leaves are popular with school teachers and with professional florist masters. Skilful bouquets of roses, collages, applications preserve the tender energy of maple and decorate any interior.