The bright red berries of a rowan tree stand out against the verdant foliage, and have been symbols of protection for thousands of years. The native range of rowan trees is high up in the mountains, growing in remote and windblown locations from precarious cliffs and crevices. Due to this characteristic of habitat, it is called The Lady of the Mountains. Rowan trees were often planted near doorways to protect those inside from evil and misfortune.

Sorbus aucuparia goes by many common names, among them rowan, mountain ash, quickbeam, witch-hazel. The wood of the rowan was ascribed magical powers in many different European folk beliefs. A forked stick from a rowan was used as a dowsing rod or wand, waved over water or a path, to influence deities and spirits. In Scandinavia, the devil was said to carry a forked caduceus of witch-hazel.

In Wales, the tree was sacred in ancient times, called pren cerdinen. It was believed that the best way to deter witches and spells was with a bit of its wood. Witches would not come near any who were protected by it. People would carry twigs of mountain ash in their pockets when roaming at night or going on a journey. The wood was embedded into walls and around the frames of windows and doors, that no ill would ever come to the residents of the house.

It is thought that the 19th century name, rowan comes from old Norse runa, a charm, due to the beliefs in its ability to ward off evil.

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Size: 7 x 7 inches
Medium: Ink
©2022, Stephanie Law
Original: Sold