The wind sings a song
Quietly shakes the ivushka.
So she was tired
Stand alone at the pond.
Spit in the water lowered
Branches low tilted, Quietly crying in the morning.
From what? But why?
Did someone pull the pigtails?
Or a little water for her?
Forever so sad alone
Our willow at the pond.
Many people ask: "Why willow cries?" It is not easy to give a short answer to this question. It is contained in ancient folk traditions and scientific research. What is the reason for the emergence of different versions of the explanation of this phenomenon?
Characteristic of moisture-loving willow
This unpretentious tree lives in many corners of our planet and has many varieties. Many call it willow, vetla, rustling tree, vine. Usually, willow loves to grow in places where there is a lot of moisture: near a river, a pond, a lake. Willows also became a wonderful decoration of modern parks with ponds. This tree is very easy to plant, you can just stick a broken branch into the moist soil, it will soon take root. The most important thing for the favorable living conditions of the willow is a sufficient amount of water, even in excess. This is the main reason why the willow is crying. It can grow even in flooded form. Translated from the Latin language, willow means "near the water."
Willow blossoms in early spring. Her fluffy buds-earrings are very melliferous, bees toilers immediately rush towards them. Flowering willow branches symbolize the arrival of spring, the first sunny days. Willows also love a lot of light. And how beautiful a tree looks with graceful branches curved down that resemble loose long locks of hair!
Little willow secret
Each plant has its own mystery. Everyone wonders why the willow tree is crying. Early in life, the sharp leaves of the willow are covered with dew drops. Under the influence of the wind, the drops playfully fall into the water, a picture is created that the plant is crying. What are the causes of these tears? There are many beliefs, legends and scientific explanations for this touching sight.
Why willow weeps: a scientific explanation
Few trees can release moisture on the leaves. This process is called guttation. It arises due to the fact that the roots absorb moisture much more than the crown can evaporate. When gutting occurs:
- Most often, droplets appear at dawn, at night or before rain.
- Contributes to this process increased soil moisture.
- Young willows are more likely to evaporate moisture on the surface of the leaves, as they are still at the growth stage, and the whole system is not yet balanced.
- Guttation also lends itself to many cereal and herbaceous plants.
- If excess moisture is not removed, then mineral substances will not enter the crown.
Such is the interpretation of biologists why a weeping willow is crying.
Folk beliefs related to willow
- Our ancestors considered willow a very strong amulet. She was consecrated, and she protected families from adversity. To do this, a lot of strength was needed, so she cried.
- Sanctified willow branches could not be trampled underfoot, it was better to burn them. Many believed that the tree can cry from resentment and pain.
- There was a belief that willow branches were able to stop the weather with strong hail. In this case, the branches were thrown in the yard, and the hail stopped. Willow, after that, began to cry.
- Of particular importance is the tree for the celebration of Palm Sunday. It is celebrated the week before Easter. All Orthodox believers visit churches and consecrate willow branches. Previously, these rods also whipped each other, freeing from accumulated sins. Willow could only cry.
- Willow was especially honored at the celebration of Ivan Kupala. Girls dressed her up with wildflowers, wreaths, and ribbons. Made of madder willow branches, which were then thrown in the middle of a reservoir. Willow also cried over her fate.
Romantic legends
There are many ancient legends about why the willow is crying. Some of them are worth considering:
- Once upon a time, willow pulled its branches to the sky. The wind rustled playfully in the foliage, and the birds flocked to this noise and made their nests there. Under one of these willows there was one couple in love: a young hunter and a beautiful girl. These meetings lasted until the guy sent matchmakers to the girl. But, unfortunately, the local robber fell in love with the young beauty, who decided to kill his rival. He guarded the hunter and dealt him a mortal blow. The girl hid with a dying groom under a willow and wept bitterly until she turned into a willow. She cried for so long that a lake formed from her tears. Since then, willows have been crying over ponds.
- And here is another beautiful ancient story about why the willow is crying. Many years ago there was unbearable heat, the sun greatly dried the earth, the reservoirs became smaller and smaller. Curly willows grew along the shore of one small lake, which, in search of moisture, took root very deep in the ground. The water in the lake decreased and decreased every day. Then the willows decided to tilt their branches to the water itself to shelter it from the scorching sun. So they protected the lake from evaporation. After some time, God sent the long-awaited rain to the earth. On long willow branches, drops fell into the lake, and soon it was again filled with water. So willows became the saviors of their lake. Therefore, it is considered a good sign if these trees grow in the mornings by the pond.
