Purple Irises - Wild Hyacinth - Native Plant of The Western Isles
Purple irises growing wild in The Isle of Harris - near Leverburgh - in fact these here are a protected species . The purple irises commonly called many names - one of which is the Harlequin Blueflag is a species that is native to North America. The colony of Irises in Harris probably started as an escaped cultivated plant.
Greek Goddess
Iris is the name of the ancient Greek Rainbow Goddess, Iride or Iris - It is said that the goddess Iris Iris, rides on the rainbow whilst wearing her multihued robes.
She spreads the message of love and hope; and it is the iris – the rainbow flower which on earth epitomizes the good news of the rainbow goddess amidst its shimmer and radiance.
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Protected Species
These irises - ( a protected species) grow only in the one place in The Western isles - It grows 2 to 3 feet high, with narrow, sword-shaped leaves, and from May to July produces large, handsome flowers, blue, except for the yellow and whitish markings at the base of the sepal
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Murals on Egyptian Temples
Minoan murals depict irises. They were painted on the walls of ancient Egyptian temples
Taj Mahal
. And the crystalline white marble of the Taj Mahal is inlaid with iris flowers in a myriad of precious stones. |
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1st Century Medicine
In the first century CE, the Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed ground iris root with honey and vinegar for coughs, colds, indigestion and sciatica.
Flags
In some languages, irises are called flags or sword flags, relating them to symbols of heraldry and royalty, hence the original “Fleur de lys” of heraldry.
Blue Blood - Bravery - Japan
In Japan the shape of the Iris is seen to express heroism. The blue colour refers to blue blood, so irises play a key role in their spring festival for boysa.
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The Colony of Purple Irises in The Isle of Harris |
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