Fehér György szerk.: A Magyar Mezőgazdasági Múzeum Közleményei 2001-2004 (Budapest, 2004)

TUDOMÁNYOS KÖZLEMÉNYEK - Korkes Zsuzsa: Rozmaring a magyarországi paraszti ünnepnapokban

Rosemary in the feast-days of Hungarian peasantry ZSUZSA KORKES Rosemary which had spread from the Mediterranean areas, played a very important part in the Middle Ages first of all as medicinal plant, and in princely courts it was also a popular spice herb. Hungarian popular beliefs attributed various meanings to rosemary. Peasant society considered it a symbol of love, marriage and virginity, that is why it was placed under the bridal wreath and was called virgin wreath in most regions of the country. Exorcizing force was also attributed to this plant. According to the beliefs, its subtle fragrance held off malefic spirits. It also played a part in burial services, but exclusively at the funerals of unmarried girls and lads, since popular customary law prescribed to symbolically 'marry' those who died young. At last, it can be said that rosemary accompanied everyday life and customs of villagers in Hungary from birth to death, and also fitted into the system of folk customs of the neighbouring and other European countries. Ostyasütővas rozmaring és égitest ábrázolással