Simon and Garfunkel sang about this famous herb in their 60s hit Scarborough Fair, Napoleon washed in rosemary water before visiting Josephine in her bedchamber, and both Juliet and Orphelia (Shakespeare heroines) where honoured with rosemary sprigs signifying love and remembrance.
In ancient Egypt, rosemary was placed in the tomb to symbolise the continued remembering of the dead. Early Europeans commonly threw sprigs of rosemary into graves as a symbol that the dead would not be forgotten, an association continued today with the Remembrance Day sprig of rosemary.
Rosemary signifies respect and remembrance for the departed. The honoured war dead are commemorated by the wearing of small rosemary sprigs in the coat lapel, pinned to the breast or held in place by medals. This, yet again, done for the association with memory, remembrance, and the heart (love).
The name rosemary is derived from the Latin meaning ‘sea dew’ and probably stems from the fact that the rosemary bush is native to the seaside regions of North Africa and the Mediterranean. This “dew of the sea” with its shimmering mid-winter blue flowers has a story covering thousands of years. A story steeped in the myths and traditions of many varied civilizations.
| The Roman armies believed in the healing powers of rosemary, and spread knowledge of its properties of purification, increasing circulation and strengthening blood vessels, through Europe and the New World. Students in ancient Greece wore garlands of rosemary around their necks and braided it into their hair to improve their memory during exams. Others would place it in their pillow the night before to enhance memory during sleep. |
Medieval legend has it that if a man didn’t like the scent of rosemary, he would be an inferior lover. Empress Josephine is said to have asked Napoleon to wash in rosemary water before entering her bedchamber. It’s no wonder the diminutive general was obsessed with rosemary.
Rosemary is one of Earth’s oldest incenses. Rosemary has been burned for centuries in sick chambers to purify the air and kill germs. Burned also in churches and courtrooms and other public arenas for its antiseptic properties.
During the Middle Ages rosemary was spread on the floor at midnight on Christmas Eve so as people walked on it the fragrance would fill the air. This sparked the belief that those who smelled rosemary on Christmas Eve would have a year of health and happiness. Thus, started the long tradition of rosemary in Christmas wreaths and other holiday decorations.
So, we’ve covered love and remembrance and health and education – but where does the lamb come into this tale of rosemary?
Centuries before the advent of the refrigerator, rosemary was used as a preservative for meats and other foods. Because of rosemary’s high antioxidant activity, people would wrap their meats in crushed rosemary leaves. The freshness would be preserved and thus the smell and taste would remain pleasant.
Historically the dietary use of rosemary with lamb promised improved meat quality. Today we know that the woody aromatic mustard-like aroma of rosemary is the perfect pairing with the sweet and tender flavour of lamb.
