The Meaning of Heather - History, Origins, and More

"Heather" is an historical call, maximum probably originating from the Early English "haeddre" and the center English "hather." The "heath" aspect of the name manner "low-growing shrub of the genus Erica," which is the right description for this plentiful red plant that carpets the hills and moors of maximum of tremendous Britain and plenty of the rest of the world.

it's miles anticipated that, in the u.s.a., there are around 520,000 people with the name Heather. apparently, Heather isn't the best version in existence. some humans spell Heather without the 'a' and others shorten their name to Heath or Heathy. The call Heath (reported hee-th) also can be used for men, however is much less popular than its girl counterpart. more not often, Heather can be used as a surname as properly.

There are a plethora of legends that surround the heather plant, maximum of which originate in Scotland. A popular legend is that white heather will convey you proper luck. This fable become born of the tale of the princess Malvina, who fell deeply in love with the warrior Oscar. lamentably for the princess, Oscar became a man with a thirst for adventure and warfare. before they could marry, Oscar left to seek fame and fortune, and it was no longer lengthy before Malvina received message that her loved had been killed in battle. Malvina became heartbroken, however changed into comforted by the sprig of purple heather he had left for her, as a token of his deep love. because the tears of disappointment fell from her face, the heather plant turned from crimson to white. it's far believed that, when she saw the white heather in her hand, she declared "might also this white heather for all time convey right fortune to all those who locate it." it is for this reason that brides in Scotland always put on a spray of white heather of their hair as a way of bringing desirable success to their marriage.

Heather turned into a completely essential plant to the early Celts in Scotland for different reasons as well. It become used no longer only to make ale and honey, but additionally to make household items including brooms, baskets, rope, roof thatching, bedding, dye for wool and tannin for leather. apparently, the fungus that grows below the evergreen leaves of the heather plant is a hallucinogenic intoxicant, and is the reason why the Celts frequently referred to heather as the plant of enchantment, romance and intoxication.