|
|
Holy Basil Information
There are many rituals and
beliefs associated with basil. The French call basil herb royale.
Jewish folklore suggests it adds strength while fasting. It is a symbol
of love in present-day Italy, but represented hatred in ancient Greece.
African legend claims that basil protects against scorpions while
European lore sometimes claims that basil is a symbol of Satan.
Holy Basil is highly revered
in Hinduism and also has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox
Church, where it is used to prepare holy water. It is said to have been
found around Christ's tomb after his resurrection. In Europe, they
place basil in the hands of the dead to ensure a safe journey. In
India, they place it in the mouth of the dying to ensure they reach
God. The Egyptians and Grecians believe it will actually open the gates
of heaven for a person passing on.
In Boccaccio's Decameron a
memorably morbid tale (novella V) tells of Lisabetta, whose brothers
slay her lover. He appears to her in a dream and shows her where he is
buried. She secretly disinters the head, and sets it in a pot of basil,
which she waters with her daily tears. The pot being taken from her by
her brothers, she dies of her grief not long after. The story is
already told of the Longobard queen Rosalind.
Source: Wikipedia
Home > Basil > Holy Basil
|
|
|
|
![[Valid RSS]](http://mytopfoods.com/rss/valid-rss.gif "Validate my RSS feed"){kind=small}
