First iris

Our first iris of the season and one of our favourite flowers.
 
Irises are said to symbolise love and trust and hope. Their name comes from the Greek goddess Iris, the goddess of the rainbow and messenger to the gods. She was said to use the rainbow as a bridge between heaven and earth. The Greeks planted purple irises on women’s graves, believing they would encourage the goddess to lead women who had died to heaven.
 
Less romantically, irises were once believed to cure scorpion and snake bites and stomach aches. Dried iris rhizomes were used to treat respiratory illnesses and to flavour wine. The iris was liked for the scent given off by the combustion of its rhizomes. These were a popular component in perfumery in the time of Catherine de Medici, and were used in the preparation of hair products or to make an oil to remove bad odors. Gardeners planted irises on the roofs of houses to keep evil spirits away and protect the home from lightning.

Strangely enough Van Gogh painted irises in the garden of the asylum where he spent his last year. He called them “the lightning conductor for my illness” and thought they saved him from madness.