Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with exploring the concepts of pronoia (the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower us with blessings), quiety (serenity) and peace – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply delightful-to-me words.
I is for…
ianthine – violet colored.
I’m enchanted by flowers – I can hardly look at them enough, marveling at how they reach for the light, how they unfold their petals, how they produce such beautiful scents, how they invite bees and butterflies to drink deeply of their nectar and dust themselves in pollen. It all seems so magical and proof of the goodness of the universe.
I have a special love for the iantine, the violet-colored flowers. And what finer example than Violet herself? A perfect Spring-time harbinger.
Violets are curious creatures – they produce flowers in both Spring and Autumn, but the flowers are different. In Spring they are fully formed and sweetly scented and this is how we likely picture them. But these flowers are mostly barren. Later in Autumn, they produce very small “insignificant” flowers, quite hidden among their leaves, and these produce lots of seeds. The Violet also propagates itself by sending out runners, and these in turn grow roots and become new plants, without the necessity of seeding at all.
There are two suggestions as to how Violet got her name. The more mundane suggests it derives from Vias, meaning wayside which is where the flowers often appear. But the Latin word viola derives from the Greek name Ione. And it is said that Zeus, wary of Juno’s jealousy, turned his beloved lover Io into a white heifer. Because Io found it unpleasant to have to graze on what was available, Zeus created violets especially for her.
Besides delighting for their appearance and fragrance, violets also have long been important in the herbal arts. They were often thought to cure hangovers, and ancient Romans sometimes wore head wreaths made from violets when hungover. Greeks used the plants to induce sleep, calm anger, and strengthen the heart. With their typically heart-shaped leaves, the doctrine of signatures suggested they were useful in the treatment of heart conditions. Violets also contain a great deal of natural sugar and have earned a strong position in the culinary arts. They’re crystalized, made into syrups and marmalades, and of course simply enjoyed as decorative additions to salads and confections.
In Victorian floriography, the language of flowers, violets connoted modesty, virtue, affection, innocence. As one of the flowers that heralds Spring, I think that’s a lovely association. We tend to think of Spring as bursting with vibrancy, but it’s always a gentle transition into that all-out exuberance, and violets are quiet and genial wayshowers.
It’s not only the flowers I love. Remembering that ianthine means violet-colored, I can’t help but think that in the color spectrum, violet has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency. There’s something very magical about that. The connection of violet to the spiritual realms and moving from the borders of seen to unseen are pronounced.
Are you a lover of all things ianthine? Have a favorite Spring flower? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Lovely post. I also love violets. I like the simple flowers best. And of course the ones who pop up in the spring and remind us of life beginning to bloom again are particularly special. I also really love Lily of the Valley. So delicate and unique, kind of quiet and unassuming, but actually quite hardy (at least when I’m uprooting them and spreading them about my garden 🙂
I is for Independence
I smile when I remember that someone once told me all the flowers I love best are “old-fashioned.” Lily of the Valley are favorites of mine as well. Those Spring gems are so encouraging – bright little gifts. Thanks so much for stopping by Kaye and hope you find all kinds of floral treats.
Shortest wavelength, highest frequency – love that! I didn’t know much about violets, your post is a mine of information. I’ve only seen violets as crystallised decorative petals on chocolates I think 🙂 not the actual plants.
I love all flowers, I mean who doesn’t? But being in the tropics my flowers are different. My favourites include hibiscus, flamboyant, cassia, and frangipani,. Yellow and white roses as well.
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
What lovely favorites Nilanjana. Your climate requires bold vibrant flowers to match the intensity of your environment. Here’s to always having flowers to enjoy!
I learned a lot here and was reminded too that violets are edible. On my salads this summer! The story of Zeus turning the grass into violets for his lover is charming….not that having an affair is charming, but the kindness shown to her was. All the best!
“Female Scientists Before Our Time”
Shells–Tales–Sails
Flower-strewn salads are the ultimate delight in my book. Of course candied violets on cakes are up there too. 🙂 Bon Appétit Sharon.
We have a patch of volunteer violets behind our kitchen window. They do make you feel better to see.
Oh I love that image Ann. Volunteer violets on the mission to cheer and brighten.
When we lived in Melbourne, Australia I used to grow a native version. It was great ground cover. I to love the colour violet.
How lovely Fran. I was just thinking about the delight of walking barefoot amidst the sweet violets, and the Mark Twain quote came to mind: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
I never gave much thought to the color violet until my began showing a definite preference for purple as a 5 month old. It does have a calming, yet rich quality to it, doesn’t it?
It always makes me smile when the littles start demonstrating what they prefer.
Violets are a lovely flower, not just for looking at but also for medicine and food as you said. 🙂 I wish I could grow some here – I’ve taken to adding lots of flowers in our new garden, even though I’m a terrible gardener – but I don’t think they’d survive the heat.
Your post has made me crave some palma violets though! (small-ish violet flavour candy.)
Here’s my “I” post 🙂 http://nataliewestgate.com/2017/04/impatient-secret-diary-of-a-serial-killer
It’s true shy violets prefer not to be in the spotlight of relentless sun, so they might not be a good fit for your garden. But I like your alternative – palma violets. Yum.
“Ianthine” what a beautiful word. I knew about Io, but didn’t know Zeus grew violets for her. So much great history for the beautiful violet. I’ve never tried eating them, might have to give it a try one day. 🙂
Eating violets is another wonderful way to enjoy them. I hope you give it a try.