The rue plant, Ruta graveolens, is a perennial herb with a history spanning thousands of years, deeply intertwined with human culture and belief systems. It holds a rich tapestry of symbolic meanings, reflecting its diverse uses and perceptions. Its presence in gardens, healing practices, and ceremonial rites highlights its enduring significance.
The Primary Meanings of Rue
Rue carries several core symbolic interpretations, often stemming from its distinct characteristics. It is commonly associated with regret, sorrow, and repentance, partly due to its bitter taste and the etymological connection to the English verb “to rue,” meaning to bitterly regret. This symbolism is evident in phrases such as “to rue the day,” signifying deep remorse. The plant’s pungent and somewhat acrid scent also contributes to this perception, metaphorically representing the bitterness of remorse.
Conversely, rue is also widely known as the “herb of grace,” a name derived from its historical use in religious ceremonies. Early Christian priests would use sprigs of rue to sprinkle holy water, symbolizing purification and the washing away of sins. This practice links rue to concepts of atonement, virtue, and fresh starts, offering a counterpoint to its association with sorrow.
Furthermore, rue is a consistent symbol of protection and purification across various traditions. Its presence is believed to cleanse spaces and individuals from negative energies, making it a common element in protective rituals.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Rue’s historical footprint extends back to ancient civilizations, where it was valued for both its medicinal and symbolic properties. Ancient Greeks and Romans, including figures like Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder, utilized rue, believing it could improve eyesight or act as an antidote to poisons. Its Latin name, Ruta, is thought to derive from the Greek word “reuo,” meaning “to set free,” possibly referencing its use in countering toxins.
During the Middle Ages, rue’s significance broadened as a protective herb against ailments, including the plague. It was often scattered on floors as a strewing herb, believed to repel insects and prevent disease. This period also saw its integration into Christian practices, where its use in sprinkling holy water solidified its common name, “herb of grace,” signifying blessings and purification.
Culturally, rue holds particular importance in places like Lithuania, where it is considered a national herb. In Lithuanian folk songs and traditional weddings, rue is frequently referenced as an attribute of young girls, symbolizing virginity and maidenhood. Similarly, in Sephardic Jewish tradition, rue, known as “ruda,” is believed to possess protective qualities against malevolent forces like the evil eye, often placed near vulnerable individuals such as newborns. The plant’s enduring presence in literature, notably in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where Ophelia distributes rue, further underscores its symbolic connection to sorrow and repentance.
Rue in Folklore and Superstition
Rue has a long-standing association with folklore and superstitious beliefs, predominantly revolving around its protective qualities. It was widely believed to be a potent charm against evil, witches, curses, and the malevolent influence of the “evil eye.” People often hung bundles of dried rue above doorways or carried sprigs of the plant as amulets to ward off negativity and ensure safety.
In Italian folk magic, this protective belief materialized into the creation of the “cimaruta,” a silver charm shaped like a sprig of rue, often adorned with other symbols of protection. This amulet was frequently worn or hung near infants to safeguard them from harm and negative magic. Rue’s strong, distinctive scent was also thought to be repugnant to cats, which were historically associated with witches, leading to the belief that planting or keeping rue could deter witches.
Specific folk practices involved rue in purification rituals, such as spiritual baths or the burning of dried rue as incense to cleanse spaces and individuals of negative energies. Some folklore suggested that a rue plant drying out indicated it had absorbed negative energy, fulfilling its protective purpose. The plant was even believed to grant the ability to perceive witches or provide protection against poisons and plagues, famously being an ingredient in the “Four Thieves Vinegar” used during historical epidemics.