Damigeron's Dungeon

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Prestigious Plants - Gymnosperms - Conifers 04 - Cedar

Plant Indices

Alphabetical Index (Genera)
Alphabetical Index (Vernacular)
Cladistic Index

CEDAR (Cedrus)

Family: Pinaceae

Cedrus deodara, Chail, Himaschal Pradesh, India.
From Gaurav Verma.

Asia, East

Chinese: Xian Bai

Japanese: Sugi

Asia, Northern

Russian: Kedr

Asia, South

Hindi: Kedar

Asia, West

Arabic: Arz

Armenian: Araz

Hebrew: Erz, Kedar

Turkish: Sedir

Europe, Central

Czech: Cedr

German: Zeder

Polish: Cedr

Europe, Eastern

Lithuanian: Kedras

Romanian: Cedru

Europe, Northern

Danish: Ceder

Swedish: Ceder

Europe, Southern

Greek: Chóinos, Kedrus

Italian: Cedro

Maltese: Ceddi

Portuguese: Cedro

Spanish: Cedro

Europe, Western

Dutch: Ceder

English: Cedar

French: Cèdre

Cedrus is a genus of medium-sized evergreen trees that grow between 30-40m (100-130ft) tall, occasionally reaching up to 60m (200ft). The wood is resinous, spicy, and sweetly-scented. The bark cracks square. The cones are barrel-shaped, roughly 6-12cm (2.4-4.7in) long and 3-8cm (1.2-3.2in) wide.

These are mountainous trees, growing at altitudes of 1,000-2,200m (3,300-7,200ft) in the Mediterranean and 1,500-3,200m (4,900-10,500ft) in the Himalayas. They are well adapted to winter snow and summer drought.

Wood Properties: Long-lasting, durable, resinous, sweet-scented, insect repellent.

Immortality
In ancient Sumeria the Cedar was the Tree of Life, making it a potent symbol of immortality (this is likely Cedar of Lebanon). The association with longevity may explain the Celts and Egyptians' use of cedar resin in embalming. For the latter, it was strongly tied to the cycle of Osiris's life, death, and rebirth.

From The Illustrated Family Bible with notes by John Kitto.
James Sangster, c 1870.

Divinity
The Greeks and Romans used cedar to carve busts of gods and revered ancestors. This practice continued on into Christian iconographic practice for the depiction of saints.

Love/Fidelity
Skinner relays a Chinese folk story of a wicked king who set his eyes on the wife of one of his faithful subjects. He threw the man into prison on baseless charges. The man died of grief in the prison, and his wife flung herself from a great height to escape the rapacious advances of the king. The spiteful king ordered they be buried in separate graves, to deny them union in death. From each grave grew a cedar tree, and both rose to great heights, entangling root and branch, becoming known as "the trees of the faithful loves."

Victorian Flower Language
In Victorian flower language, the cedar symbolizes strength, and its leaf conveys, "I live for thee."

Resin/Oil
Cedar resin/oil is naturally repellent to moths, making it popular for lining chests and closets to protect clothes against destruction by insects. This use is referenced as far back as book 24 of The Iliad, where treasures were held in a cedar-lined storage room.

This oil was widely used in producing sacred fumigants and perfumes, magical cosmetics, and the embalming of mummies (Egyptian and Celt).

Modern "cedar" oil, however, is made from Virginian juniper.

Wood
The resin in the wood made it ideal for more than protecting clothes. It was a favored wood for sarcophagi in Egypt and was used in carving figures, icons, idols, etc.

Magic Perfume
(Tressider/Drury) mentions that it was used in "magical cosmetics," though what this means exactly is unclear.

We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Cedar oil is used as an antiseptic.

A vial of cedar oil.
Own work -- Itineranttrader.

This resinous wood has strong associations with immortality and the divine, making it suitable for constructing icons and instruments where ritual purity is required.
Cedar repels insects, which could well extend to monstrous insects or swarms (the latter especially in a TTRPG context).
The wood's repulsion of insects lends itself to the creation of warding instruments. A village mystic or other rural initiate might employ a cedar staff to protect fields, driving away locusts, weevils, and all manner of similar vermin.
On the other hand, warding against insects could be turned to suggest a corrupt affiliation. The biblical Beelzebub was the Ba'al of Ekron, whose purity was noted by the lack of insects in his temple. It is believed that this was the basis for a disparaging pun by the Hebrews as the name Ba'al zevul means "lord of the (heavenly) dwelling," while Ba'al zevuv means "lord of the flies," marking the god of Ekron as both diminutive and of a kind with vermin. Building on this, cedar might be reframed as kin to the corruption of vermin, allowing the magician to bully swarms of insects to his command by a cedar wand or similar device.
Following the above and the Osirian influence, a lich (undead wizard) from a Mediterranean- or Middle Eastern-influenced culture may be given away by the intense smell of cedar oil, which preserves the flesh.

Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)

Cedrus atlantica, Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
Own work -- Nikos D. Karabelas.

Asia, West

Turkish: Sedir Atlası

Europe, Central

German: Atlas Zeder

Hungarian: Atlasz Cédrus, Atlaszéder

Polish: Atlaszcedr

Europe, Northern

Danish: Atlasceder, Blå Atlas-Ceder

Swedish: Atlasceder, Marockansk Ceder

Europe, Southern

Italian: Cedro Dell'atlante

Portuguese: Cedro Do Atlas

Spanish: Cedro Del Atlas

Europe, Western

Dutch: Atlasceder

English: Atlas Cedar, Blue Atlas Cedar, Mount Atlas Cedar

French: Cèdre Bleu, Cèdre De L'atlas

Africa, Northern: Tunisia

Europe, Central: Germany, Hungary

Europe, Southern: Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Europe, Western: England, France (including Corsica)

Biome: Alpine; Morocco and Algeria; Rif Mountains, Atlas Mountains, Tell Atlas Mountains.

Atlas cedar is a large evergreen tree 30-15m (98-115ft) tall, with a trunk 1.5-2m (4.9-6.6ft) in diameter. Grows at altitudes 1,370-2,200m (4,490-7,220ft).

Some consider this a subspecies of the Lebanon cedar.

Cedrus atlantica cone, Arboretum de la Vallée-aux-Loups, Châtenay-Malabry, France.
From Liné1.

Retained for name and distribution.

Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)

Cedrus libani, Lebanon.
Uploaded by Mpeylo.

Asia, West

Arabic: Arz, Arz Al-Rab

Turkish: Arz Ağacı, Frenk Çamı, Lubnan Erzi, Lübnan Sediri

Europe, Central

Czech: Libanonský Céder

German: Libanonzeder

Hungarian: Libanoni Cédrus

Polish: Libańska Choina

Europe, Eastern

Croatian: Libanski Cedar

Lithuanian: Libano Kedras

Romanian: Cédru Libanului

Serbian: Libanski Kedar

Europe, Northern

Danish: Libanonceder

Swedish: Libanonceder

Europe, Southern

Italian: Cedro Del Libano

Portuguese: Cedro Do Líbano

Spanish: Cedro Del Libano

Europe, Western

Dutch: Libanonceder

English: Cedar of Lebanon, Lebanese Cedar, Lebanon Cedar

French: Cèdre Du Liban

Asia, West: Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey

Biome: Alpine

Lebanon cedar is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can reach 40m (130ft) in height and has a trunk up to 2.5m (8 ft+) in diameter. It grows at altitudes of 1,300-3,000 m. In Turkey, it occasionally grows to as low as 500 m.

Cedrus libani male cone, Spier's School, Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland.
Own work -- Roger Griffith (Rosser1954).

Incorruptibility
It has long been a symbol of incorruptibility because of its incredible height, strong, resilient wood, ability to drive away pests, and the preservative quality of its resin. This reaches back into earliest antiquity and persists today. It holds this role biblically and in modern floral language. In Psalm 92:12, it says, "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Its heartwood developed into a metaphor for Christ.

Greenaway identifies that the meaning of "incorruptibility" carried on from Ancient Babylon into Victorian flower language.

Pride
Used in a negative context by the Hebrew prophet Isaiah along with "oaks of Bashan," "all the high mountains," and "every high tower" to signify pride within the world.

Humbaba
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the cedar forest that Gilgamesh and his companion Enkidu cut down was guarded by a great demon named Humbaba. When they did battle with the aid of the sun god Shamash, Humbaba was brought low and offered his whole forest and lifelong servitude in exchange for his life. Gilgamesh decapitated him anyways, and Humbaba's final act was a curse upon the two heroes. Shortly after, the two rode a raft of cedar back to Uruk, whereupon Gilgamesh used the wood to help build the city. Shortly after, the drama of the Bull of Heaven followed, and Humbaba's curse was fulfilled by the gods striking Enkidu with disease and death.

Terracotta mask of Humbaba, from Ur.
Old-Babylonian period 2004-1595 BC. Sulaymaniyah Museum, Iraq.
Own work - Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg).

Temple of Solomon
Because of its incorruptibility, it was employed in constructing the Temple of Solomon.

Cedars of God
The "Cedars of God" are the last remnant of the cedar forests of Mount Lebanon, specifically those from the Kadisha Valley of Bsharre. These appear to be the same ones guarded by Humbaba. Psalm 104:16 claims that the God of Abraham planted these trees.

Wood
Fine-grained, yellow, fragrant, durable, and immune to insect damage, timber is used in furniture, construction, and crafts. The Egyptians and Phoenicians valued it for shipbuilding, and Gilgamesh and Enkidu made a raft of it. The Ottoman Empire used the wood to build railways.

Resin/Oil
Cedar resin (cedria) and cedar essential oil (cedrum) are extracted from the wood and cones and have various uses, including the preservation of papyrus (juniper oil was used in the same way).

Protected Status
In Sumerian mythology, these trees were protected by gods, demigods, and monsters before being torn down by humans. Though they once covered Mount Lebanon, the demand was great, and the stripping of the trees was seen as a problem even in ancient times. Under Roman rule, Emperor Hadrian had to claim the forests were an imperial domain to halt the destruction of the forests.

We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

In the Bible, Moses bid the Hebrew priests to treat lepers with the bark of Lebanon cedar.

Not dissimilar to this.

The history of the ancient grove of the "Cedars of God" presents an exciting development through the eyes of modern fantasy convention. This is an ideal place for the activity of nature mystics known for the veneration of sacred groves (druids, for lack of a better term). The economic significance of the material and the desire of the powers that be to preserve the trees make strange bedfellows of the druids and imperial authorities. Are the druids a client population dependent wholly on the goodwill of semi-secular temporal authority, or is the relationship reciprocal? Do the druids maintain this relationship with services only they can provide? What service might the druids render Caesar? (Yes, we're being deliberate with that language.)
In instances where people are pleading directly with the gods as persons (meaning they are conversing with tangible immortals occupying the same environment), they might plead about how helpless and harmless they are to the gods. The gods might then point to the cedar groves and rebuke humans for tearing down all that is greater than themselves and cannibalizing the divine.
As with other cedars, the resinous wood of the Lebanon cedar is suitable for shipbuilding. If the wood is sacred, it may also lend supernatural properties to the boat.
Cedar oil might help preserve spellwork and wards like it was used to preserve papyrus.
Cedar oil might be recast as a symbol of vanity and decadence, as peacock feathers have from their high role as a solar emblem.

Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)

Cedrus deodara, Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, Himaschal Pradesh, India.
From PabloEvans on Flickr.

Asia, Central

Pushto: Tsedar

Asia, South

Hindi: Devdar, Kelon

Kannada: Devadara

Kashmiri: Diwali, Kelon

Nepali: Kelu

Punjabi: Sarol

Sanskrit: Devadarum, Devadāru

Telugu: Thelipathi

Urdu: Diyār

Asia, West

Turkish: Diyodar

Europe, Central

Czech: Himalájská Cedr

German: Himalaja-Zeder, Himalayazeder

Hungarian: Himalájai Cédrus

Europe, Northern

Danish: Himalayaceder

Europe, Western

Dutch: Himalayaceder

English: Deodar, Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar, Himalayan Deodar Cedar

French: Sapin De l'Himalaya

Asia, South: Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan

Asia, Central: Tibet

Biome: Alpine

Deodar cedar is a large evergreen tree 40-50m (131-164ft) tall, occasionally up to 60m (197ft), with a trunk up to 3m (10ft) in diameter. Grows at altitudes 1,500-3,200m (5,000-10,000ft).

Wood is used in construction due to its durability, rot resistance, and fine, close grain, which polishes well. It is preferred in the construction of temples and surrounding structures. Shockingly, the wood is not strong, so it is poor for furniture and other, more delicate shapes.

Cedrus deodara female cone, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany.
Own work -- AnRo0002.

Bark Properties: Astringent.

Wood Properties: Resinous, insect-repellent

Wood of the Gods
The English common name, deodar, is derived from the Sanskrit devadāru, meaning "wood of the gods."

Food Preservation
Oil is used in northern India to preserve meat and grains.

Cleaning Supplies
The oil is often used in soaps, sprays, floor polishes, and insecticides.

Boats
Favored wood in the houseboats that characterize Srinagar, Kashmir.

We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Used in Ayurvedic medicine. The bark and the stem are astringent.

Inner wood is distilled into essential oils and applied to the feet of beasts of burden and cattle to drive away parasites.

The use of the oil to drive parasites away from beasts of burden also suggests it elevates the beast spiritually (as oil from "wood of the gods"). This oil would likely be helpful in abjuration against possessing spirits (a form of parasite), or in the breaking of curses.

* * * * * * *

JAPANESE CEDAR (Cryptomeria)

Family: Pinaceae
Species: Cryptomeria japonica

Cryptomeria forest in the Hauts de Saint-Gilles, Reunion Island.
Presumably by user Thierry Caro.

Asia, East

Japanese: Gannen Sugi, Hanasu, Jasugi, Kouchi, Kusamaki, Rijin Sugi, Sugi, Sugi No Ki, Sugiboku, Sugilox

Korean: Sugui

Asia, South

Nepali: Dhuppi, Dhuppi Salla, Katle Salla

Europe, Central

Czech: Japonský Cedr

German: Japanische Sicheltanne, Japanische Zeder, Kryptomerie

Polish: Japonski Cedr, Kryptomeria

Europe, Northern

Danish: Japansk Ceder

Norwegian: Japansk Kryptomeria

Swedish: Japanska Kryptomeria

Europe, Southern

Greek: Stinocyprys

Europe, Western

English: Japanese Cedar, Japanese Red Cedar, Japanese Redwood, Japanese Sugi, Peacock Pine, Sichuan Cedar, Taiwan Cedar

Asia, East: Japan (Cultivated in China and India)

Japanese cedar is a large evergreen tree that grows up to 70m (230ft) tall and 4m (13ft) in diameter. The timber is extremely fragrant, weather-resistant, insect-resistant, soft, and low-density. It is reddish-pink in color, strong despite being lightweight, and waterproof. It is desired for all kinds of construction.

It has been cultivated in China for so long that many think it is native. It is also grown in India, in Darjeeling and Sikkim, where it is called Dhuppi.

This is the national tree of Japan, planted around temples and shrines.

Wood
The timber is easy to saw and season. It is used in staves, tubs, casks, furniture, and many other indoor applications. It is especially favored for light construction, boxes, and veneers. The wood is occasionally buried, where it turns a dark green, which is greatly valued.

The Japanese coppice the wood through a technique called daisugi, which ensures a straight trunk.

Cedar Avenue of Nikkō
At the funeral of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, a daimyo was too poor to afford a stone lantern for memorial tribute. He instead suggested that he be permitted a substitution: that he be allowed to plant an avenue of sugi trees, so that "future visitors might be protected from the heat of the sun." This avenue of sugi trees still exists and is over 65km (40mi) long.

A portion of the avenue, as of May 2013.
From 690 Noda on panoramio.

Jōmon Sugi
The Jōmon Sugi is an ancient sugi tree named for the Jōmon period of Japanese prehistory. The tree is estimated at least 2,170 years old and maybe up to 7,200 years old! Its height is 25.3 m (83 ft), with a trunk 5.2 m (17 ft) in diameter.

The Jōmon Sugi, Yakushima, Kogashima Prefecture, Japan.
Own work -- Σ64.

Following from the story of Tokugawa's funerary tribute, the sugi becomes an emblem of humility and thoughtfulness. The best gifts are not always the most expensive. The stone lanterns are emblems of the five elements of Buddhist cosmology, petitioning for the enlightenment of Ieyasu and his passing from the cycle of reincarnation and suffering. Conversely, the cedars mind the personal comfort of future petitioners, ensuring the flow of prayers well into the future.

* * * * * * *

Prestigious Plants

Plants
Flowers
Trees
Ferns
Moss and Lichen [Pending]
Fungi [Pending]
Cladistic Index
Herbal Medicine [Pending]
Resin, Incense, Balsam, and Lacquer [Pending]

Other Gymnosperms

Cypress
Ephedra
Fir
Ginkgo
Juniper
Larch
Pine
Spruce
Yew

[Img 01 - https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/cedrus/cedrus-deodara/]

[Img 02 - https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/M390196/Nisroch-sprinkling-the-Sacred-Tree]

[Img 03 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CedarwoodEssOil.png]

[Img 04 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Moroccan_Atlantic_cedar.jpg]

[Img 05 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cedrus_libani_ssp._atlantica_%27Glauca%27_cone_02_by_Line1.jpg]

[Img 06 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Libanonzeder.jpg]

[Img 07 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Male_cone_of_Cedar_of_Lebanon.JPG]

[Img 08 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Terracotta_mask_of_Humbaba_(Huwawa)._From_Ur,_Iraq._Old-Babylonian_period_2004-1595_BCE._Sulaymaniyah_Museum,_Iraq.jpg]

[Img 09 - https://zaksjerusalemgifts.com/healing-cedar-lebanon-anointing-oil-250ml.html]

[Img 10 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cedrus_deodara_Manali_2.jpg]

[Img 11 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:20130903Cedrus_deodara2.jpg]

[Img 12 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cryptomeria-Saint-Gilles.jpg]

[Img 13 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%E6%97%A5%E5%85%89%E6%9D%89%E4%B8%A6%E6%9C%A8%E8%A1%97%E9%81%93_20130522_-_panoramio.jpg]

[Img 14 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jomon_Sugi_07.jpg]

-Drury, N. (2004). The dictionary of the esoteric: 3000 entries on the mystical and occult traditions. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.

-Drury, N. (2005). The Watkins Dictionary of Magic: 3000 entries on the magical traditions. Watkins.

-Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. George Routleage and Sons.

-Skinner, Charles M. "Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants : In All Ages and in All Climes : Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery), 1852-1907 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming." Internet Archive, Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Co., 1 Jan. 1970, https://archive.org/details/mythslegendsoffl00skin.

-Tresidder, J. (2008). The Watkins Dictionary of Symbols. Watkins.

Name assistance provided by Claude 3.5 Sonnet.

Prestigious Plants - Gymnosperms - Conifers 03 - Fir

Plant Indices

Alphabetical Index (Genera)
Alphabetical Index (Vernacular)
Cladistic Index

FIR (Abies)

ᚐ

Family: Pinaceae

Abies Fabri, near Jieyindian Temple, Emei Shan, Sichuan, China.
From Avlxyz on Flickr.

Asia, East

Chinese: Shan

Japanese: Gyokuran, Momi

Korean: Dangsun

Asia, Northern

Russian: Paichta, Pichta, Pikhta

Asia, South

Kashmiri: Kath

Marathi: Pusarul

Nepali: Kauri

Urdu: Shohav

Asia, West

Turkish: Abil

Europe, Central

Czech: Jedle

German: Edeltanne, Silbertanne, Tanne, Zirbel

LINGUA IGNOTA: Lamischiz

Polish: Choina, Jodla

Slovak: Jedla

Europe, Eastern

Croatian: Jela, Jelka

Estonian: Siruved, Vahtakuusk

Romanian: Brad

Serbian: Jela

Europe, Northern

Danish: Eadelgran, Gran

Finnish: Kuusi, Pihtakuusi

Norwegian: Edelgran

Swedish: Grann

Europe, Southern

Italian: Abete, Avete

Portuguese: Abetos

Spanish: Abeto

Europe, Western

English: Fir, Fyr, Fyri

French: Pesse, Sapin

A genus of ~50 species of evergreen coniferous trees. The Latin name means "to rise," in reference to this tree's incredible height of 10-80 m (33-262 ft). When mature, these tree trunks can reach up to 4 m (13 ft) in diameter. Their needles attach to the branch at a single point like a suction cup, and their cones stick vertically like cedars.

Wood Properties: No rot or insect resistance, indoor structural use only.

Ogham
In the Ogham script* the fir (silver/white fir in particular) is represented by the ailm sign (ᚐ; [a] sound; one short strike).

Through ailm the fir is associated with the lapwing and the color grey (according to ogham.lyberty.com/ogmean.html).

Victorian Flower Language
Greenaway says the fir tree is an emblem of time and elevation.

Axis Mundi
According to (Tressider/Drury?) the fir was the axis of the world for many shamans, serving in that capacity as the bridge of worlds.

Courage
In Nordic culture, it is a symbol of courage and resolution.

Chastity/Virginity
There are several versions of the story of Atys, the priest of Cybele. Most of them, regardless of whether he is a transgressor or a victim of assault, end with him castrated or dead and transformed into a fir tree. Thereafter, the tree was sacred to Cybele, and her priests were to be eunuchs.

In Rome, unopened pine cones were sacred to Diana as symbols of virginity.

Fortune
In Nordic culture, it is a symbol of good fortune.

Revelry
The tree was sacred to Dionysus, and his cultists adorned themselves with tree foliage.

Sacrality
Sacred in Judeo-Christian tradition for its use in the ceiling of the Temple at Jerusalem.

In some places, fir is not cut down because it is the king of the forest and home to the spirit of the woods. In rural Russia (pre-Revolution), when a gigantic fir was toppled by a storm, the wood was not sold but instead donated to the church.

Wisdom
Modern practitioners of Celtic Neopaganism regard the fir as a symbol of far-sightedness and discernment because of its great height and cones' response to sun and rain (opening and closing, respectively).

Silver Cones
In the Harz mountains there is a rock formation called the Hübichenstein, thrust up 50m (164ft) from the surrounding landscape. According to Skinner, the fir trees that grow near it are silvery.

In one folktale, a miner's wife was collecting fir cones from that place for a day's wages, whereupon she met a gnome with a long white beard. The gnome told her which tree produced the best seeds, and when she tried to gather from it, the cones fell in such numbers that she was terrified. Still, she gathered so many she nearly couldn't carry them back. Upon returning home, she realized why the cones had been so heavy, for they were all made of silver.

Christmas Trees
The fir is the favored tree for Christmas trees, with a long history going back to the 16th century, typically attributed to the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. However, it clearly had many other earlier pagan influences.

Skinner claims that a significant contributor to this origin comes from the Germans of the Harz mountains. He says that girls dance about fir trees during religious festivals, sing pagan songs, and decorate them with ornaments, candles, and food offerings, supposedly to prevent an imp from escaping the tree. Skinner suggests there is variation in the practice, which is no doubt an imitative ritual of some folktale, as they are either trying to get something from the possession of the imp or convince him to accept his imprisonment and stop his escape attempts.

While this sounds plausible as a practice, his claim that this is the origin of the lighted Christmas tree is shaky at best, and we have not been able to find any parallels in our (limited) investigation of Germanic pagan and Yuletide practices.

Glade jul (1891), by Viggo Johansen.

Saint Martin of Tours
In this story we find an interesting problem in our sources. Our initial source was Skinner, who conveyed that the pagan Romano-Gallics of a particular village resisted when he attempted to cut down their sacred fir despite being silent when he demolished all else. According to Skinner, this pushback caused St. Martin to relent in his iconoclasm.

However, our other source is translated from Sulpitius Severus, St. Martin's own contemporary hagiographer, who tells a very different story: that the pagans stopped St. Martin, claiming that if his faith was confirmed, he would let them cut down the tree themselves while he lay in the path of its fall and that his God would spare him. St. Martin agreed, and when the tree fell down upon him, he held up his hand and made the sign of the cross, sending the tree spinning away like a top and falling back, nearly crushing the audience. (This may be an embellishment to tie St. Martin to the famous tree-felling incidents recounted by Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus.)

We do not know where this discrepancy comes from, and our strongest explanation is that the function of Skinner's book, Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants, was intended to facilitate conversation on long trips. This suggests he may have put in intentionally incorrect information to invite correction. This poses several problems with using the book as a source, as I have cross-referenced much else in the book with other elements of my research, and there is considerable confirmed overlap.

Further, in his [Pine] entry, Skinner expresses a distaste for Sulpitius for giving that tree a diabolical character in the same hagiography. It may be that Skinner doesn't like the tone of his source and doesn't bother to absorb the information accurately.

Timber
Generally used as rough timber, plywood, and as pulp. Once logged, it has no insect or decay resistance, so it is suggested for indoor use only. It will decay within 12-18 months if exposed to the elements.

The fir has many magical associations. In Phrygia, it was closely associated with Cybele. In Roman myth, Rhea turned Attis into a fir to prevent his death.

Shamanic Power
A legend of the Yakut (in Russia) holds that the souls of shamans are born in a fir tree on Mount Dzokuo,* with the souls' potency increasing the higher up in the tree they are born.

*This compiler is unsure if this is referencing a place in place in the Dzokuo Valley in northeast India, as the Yakut are a Turko-Mongol people currently residing in Russia

Spell: Christmas Omen
According to Skinner, you may cast an augury of your own death by means of a Christmas tree. You must ensure the tree is a fir, not a spruce or pine, and you must have selected it specifically for this purpose before cutting it down. The spell is cast thus: adorn the tree with candles and light them all. Then, once all are lit, turn and look upon your own shadow on the wall from the candlelight. If your shadow has no head, you will die within the year.

Spell: Dream Ward
Lay a bough of fir across the foot of your bed, and you will have no nightmares.

We interpret this dream ward as working by elevating the sleeping self. It is placed at the feet, not the headboard, suggesting the dreamer is above the already elevated thing (the fir branch), which holds one pleasantly above the low darkness of the nightmare.

Spell: Barn Ward
Hang many fir sticks on the door to your barn, and it will ward away spirits that intend to steal your grain.

We interpret the fir as elevating the barn, just as granaries are held above the ground to prevent insect infestation. Held conceptually above the ground, verminous spirits cannot crawl to the barn's contents.

Spell: Lightning Ward
A stick of fir, not entirely burned through, can fend off lightning.

We interpret this as talismanic in nature: "Behold! See this burn, o raging sky? Lightning has already struck this tree, and the spark of the storm strikes no place twice!"

The Victorian meaning of "elevation" is certainly about the tree's height and is to be interpreted as something like "I elevate you" or "I elevate [idea expressed by another plant]." This makes it consequential as a reagent or wand wood because it facilitates the upward abstraction of concrete elements.
The "elevation" meaning lends an explicit upward trajectory to the bridge-of-worlds interpretation of the tree, making this a good tree for enlightening works. One might contemplate the path to heaven at the tree's foot or employ this wood deliberately in spiritual healing.
As axis mundi, the fir may enable magicians to reorient themselves and navigate from a new zero-point when they find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
They may also employ it as a spiritual anchor, allowing them to pull themselves up out of trance states if they ever go too deep.
As an emblem of courage and resolution, the fir stands tall against the elements. By the fir's example, even a crippled man may stand tall and proud in the face of any threat, drawing on its strength as he leans on it.
Fir wood denotes the interior of sacred space. It is not rot-resistant, so it composed only the interior ceiling of Solomon's temple, whereas the resinous cypress may make its roof (exterior). This suggests the personal or domestic sacrality and the comfort that comes with that. Calling on this, a sage or priest may, by staff of fir, carry the interior of the temple wherever he goes. The personal experience of the sacred is emphasized here (gnosis) but has a distinctly vulnerable character.
While the previous entry suggests corruptibility on the part of the sage/priest, this might be employed intentionally to test the spiritual health of the lands they travel through, inviting what corruption is present to manifest in the wood rather than being repelled by it. This is further reinforced by the chaste/virginal attributions that the fir inherits from the Cybelene and Dianic cults, which courts profanation by its vulnerability.
The story of the silver cones identifies that fortune can be found in humble things with the right spirit of inspiration (the gnome).
The wood's weakness to rot and insect infestation is likely something latched onto during the Christianization of Germany and the toppling of sacred firs. What could be so worthy of veneration yet so susceptible to corruption?
On the other hand, sacrality is understood to be a fragile thing, just as we see in virginity and chastity. The vulnerability of fir and its need for maintenance renders sacrality a doing, in the same way, that genuine love is something you do rather than feel.
An interesting prospect arises when one combines the belief of the Yakut with reincarnation, especially if the hypothetical society values shamanic power. They might bury their dead at the foot of tall fir trees to try and get the deceased souls to reincarnate out of the sacred firs!

Algerian Fir (Abies numidica)

Abies numidica, Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil, Paris, France.
Own work -- Liné1.

Europe, Central

German: Algerische Tanne

Europe, Western

English: Algerian Fir, Atlas Fir, Numidian Fir

French: Sapin D'algérie, Sapin De Numidie

Africa, Northern: Algeria

Algerian fir is a medium to large evergreen tree, 20-35m (65-115ft) tall, with a trunk 1m in diameter. It is drought tolerant.

Its flattened needle leaves are glossy dark green on top, with a patch of greenish-white stomata near the tip and two greenish-white stomatal bands on the underside.

The cones are green with a pink or violet tinge and mature to brown. They are 10-20cm (3.9-7.9in) long and 4cm (1.6in), with 150-200 scales, each producing two winged seeds.

Retained for name and distribution.

Bhutan Fir (Abies spectabilis)

Abies spectabilis, Namche Bazaar, Nepal.
From mckaysavage on Flickr.

Asia, South

Bhutanese: Dunshing, Thingso

Nepali: Gobresalla

Sanskrit: Talispatra

Tibetan: Tansen

Europe, Western

English: Bhutan Fir, East Himalayan Fir, Himalayan Fir, Nepal Fir

Asia, South: Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan

Asia, Central: Tibet

East Himalayan fir is a large evergreen tree up to 50m (160ft) tall.

Retained for name and distribution.

Bulgarian Fir (Abies borisii-regis)

Abies borisii-regis, Vihren, Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria.
Taken by kikosev, on panoramio.

Europe, Eastern

Bulgarian: Tsareva Ela

Croatian: Borisova Jela

Macedonian: Makedonska Ela

Europe, Western

English: Bulgarian Fir, King Boris Fir, Macedonian Fir, Moesian Fir

Europe, Southern: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia

Biome: Alpine

Bulgarian fir is a large evergreen tree growing between 40-50m (130-160ft) (occasionally up to 60m (200ft)), with a diameter of up to 1.5 m. Grows at altitudes of 800-1,800 m. Its leaves are flattened needles. Its cones are 10-21cm (3.9-8.3in) long and 4cm (1.6in) broad, with 150-200 scales, each producing two winged seeds.

Some botanists identify this as a natural hybrid between silver and Greek fir.

Abies borisii-regis cones. Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria.
Own work -- MPF.

Retained for name and distribution.

Greek Fir (Abies cephalonica)

Abies cephalonica, New Botanical Garden Marburg, Hesse, Germany.
Own work -- Willow.

Asia, West

Turkish: Kefalinia Göknarı

Europe, Central

German: Griechische Tanne

Europe, Eastern

Croatian: Grecka Jela

Europe, Southern

Greek: Elati

Europe, Western

English: Cephalonian Fir, Greek Fir, Hellenic Fir, Kefallonian Fir

French: Sapin De Céphalonie, Sapin De Grèce

Europe, Central: Hungary

Europe, Southern: Italy (including Sardinia)

Europe, Western: England

Biome: Alpine

Greek fir is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing 25-35m (82-115ft), occasionally reaching 40m (130ft). It grows at altitudes from 900-1,700m (3,000-5,600ft). Its flattened, needle-like leaves have a glossy dark green topside and two blue-white stomata bands on the underside. The needle's point is blunt.

The cones are 10-20cm (4-8in) long and 4cm (1.6in) broad. They have 150-200 scales, each producing two winged seeds.

Cones of the Greek fir (Abies cephalonica) at mountain Parnitha.
From Alamy.

Retained for names and distribution.

Momi Fir (Abies firma)

Abies firma, Wakehurst Place, UK.
From Tom Christian.

Asia, East

Japanese: Kyaraboku, Momi, Momi No Ki, Nihon Momi, Shirabiso

Europe, Central

German: Momi-Tanne

Europe, Western

English: Japanese Fir, Momi Fir

French: Sapin Du Japon

Asia, East: Japan

Momi fir is a medium to large evergreen tree, up to 50m (160ft) tall and 2m (6.5ft) in diameter. Grows at altitudes of 50-1600m (160-5,200ft). Its needles are flat, with a bright green topside and two grey-green stomatal bands.

The cones are 7-15cm (2.8-5.9in) long and 3-5cm (1.2-2in) wide.

Retained for name and distribution.

Nikko Fir (Abies homolepis)

Abies homolepis, Dawes Arboretum, Ohio.
By slyperso1.

Asia, East

Japanese: Nikko-Momi, Ura Momi, Ura Shiro Momi, Uraziromomi

Europe, Central

German: Nikko-Tanne

Europe, Western

English: Japanese Fir, Nikko Fir

French: Sapin De Nikko

Asia, East: Japan

Biome: Temperate wet rainforest with heavy winter snowfall.

Nikko fir is a medium to large evergreen tree, 30-40m (100-130ft) tall and up to 1.5 m in diameter. Grows at 700-2,200m (2,300-7,200ft) in temperate rainforest with high rainfall, humid summer, and heavy winter snowfall.

Its leaves are flattened needles, with a glossy green topside and two white stomatal bands on the underside. They are slightly notched at the tip.

The cones are 6-12cm (2.3-4.7in) long and 3-4cm (1.2-1.6in) wide and purple-blue before maturity.

Nikko fir is resistant to air pollution.

Abies homolepis foliage and cone, Kyloe Wood, Northumberland, UK.
By MPF.

Retained for name and distribution.

Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)

Abies nordmanniana, from koju.de.

Asia, West

Turkish: Kafkas Göknarı

Europe, Central

German: Kaukasische Tanne, Kaukasus-Tanne, Nordmanns Tanne

Europe, Eastern

Croatian: Jela Kavkaska

Europe, Northern

Danish: Nordmanniana, Nordmannsgran

Norwegian: Nordmannsgran

Swedish: Kaukasisk Ädelgran, Nordmannsgran

Europe, Western

English: Caucasian Fir, Christmas Tree, Nordmann Fir, Nordmann's Fir

French: Sapin De Nordmann, Sapin Du Caucase

Black Sea

Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus)

Asia, West: Turkey

Biome: Alpine

The Nordmann fir is a large evergreen tree 55-61m (ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 2m (6.5ft). Some specimens are reported to be 78-85m (256-279 ft), making them the tallest trees in Europe (despite being non-native). Grows at altitudes of 900-2,200m (2,900-7,200ft).

The flat, needle-like leaves have a glossy dark green topside, with two blue-white stomatal bands on the underside. The tip is often both blunt and notched.

The cones are 10-20cm (3.9-7.9in) long and 4-5cm (1.6-2in) wide, with 150-200 scales, each producing two winged seeds.

Abies nordmanniana cones, Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff, Wales.

Most importantly, fir is grown for Christmas trees because its leaves are attractive, not sharp, and shed slowly when the tree dries out.

Retained for names and distributions.

Pindrow Fir (Abies pindrow)

Abies pindrow, Mukeshpuri mountain, Pakistan.
Own work -- Khalid Mahmood.

Asia, South

Hindi: Morinda, Tosh

Nepali: Raj Raga, Raga

Europe, Western

English: Himalayan Fir, Himalayan Low-Level Fir, Himalayan White Fir, Indian Silver Fir, Pindrow, Pindrow Fir, West Himalayan Fir

Asia, South: Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan

Biome: Alpine, cool/humid, high rainfall.

Pindrow fir is a large evergreen tree up to 40-60m (130-200ft) tall. It grows in cool, humid environments with lots of rainfall at altitudes between 2,400-3,700m (7,900-12,100ft).

The flattened needle leaves are long for a fir, with glossy dark green on the top and two whitish stomatal bands on the underside.

The cones are 7-14cm (2.8-5.5in) long and 3-4cm (1.2-1.6in) wide. They are dark purple when young.

Retained for name and distribution.

Siberian Fir (Abies sibirica)

Abies sibirica, Rogów Arboretum, Poland.
Own work -- Cruiser.

Asia, East

Japanese: Kiro-Momi

Asia, Northern

Russian: Pichta, Pikhta

Europe, Central

Czech: Sibeřská Jedle, Sibirská Jedle

German: Sibirische Tanne

Europe, Eastern

Croatian: Jela Sibirska

Estonian: Pihta

Europe, Northern

Danish: Sibirisk Ædelgran

Finnish: Siperianpihta

Swedish: Sibirisk Ädelgran

Europe, Western

Dutch: Sibirische Zilverspar

English: Siberian Fir

French: Pécea De Sibérie, Sapin De Sibérie

Taiga east of the Volga River,

Asia, Central: Kyrgyzstan

Asia, East: China (Xinjiang)

Asia, Northern: Russia (Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, East European Russia, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, North European Russia, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutskiya)

Biome: Alpine and Taiga.

The Siberian fir is a medium evergreen tree 30-35m (100-115ft) tall with a trunk 0.5-1m in diameter. It grows at altitudes of 1,900-2,400m (6,200-7,900ft). It is frost-hardy and shade-tolerant. Due to fungal infection, it rarely lives longer than 200 years.

The flat needle leaves are light green on the top side, with two grey-white stomatal bands on the underside.

The cones are 5-9.5cm (2-3.7in) long and 2.5-3.5cm (1-1.4in) wide.

Wood is used in construction, furniture, and wood pulp. Essential oil is extracted from the leaves for perfume.

Retained for name and distribution.

Sicilian Fir (Abies nebrodensis)

Abies nebrodensis, Castellana Sicula, Madonie, Sicily.
From Carlo Columba on Flickr.

Europe, Central

German: Sizilianische Tanne

Europe, Southern

Italian: Abete Dei Nebrodi

Spanish: Abeto De Sicilia

Europe, Western

English: Madonie Fir, Nebrodi Fir, Sicilian Fir

French: Abies De Sicile, Sapin De Sicile

Europe, Southern: Italy (Sicily)

Biome: Alpine, dry.

Sicilian fir is a medium-sized evergreen tree 15-25m (49-82ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 1m. It grows at altitudes of 1,400-1,600m (4,600-5,200ft) on dry slopes.

Its needle leaves are flat, with a flossy dark green topside and two greenish-white stomatal bands on the underside.

The cones are 10-16cm (3.9-6.2in) long and 4cm (1.6in) wide, with ~150 scales, each producing two winged seeds.

Abies nebrodensis cones, Gothenburg Botanic Garden, Sweden.
From Tom Christian.

Retained for name and distribution.

Silver Fir (Abies alba)

Silver Fir (Abies alba) in Silesian Beskids, Poland.
Own work -- Cruiser.

Asia, West

Turkish: Gokaya

Europe, Central

Czech: Jedle Bělokorá

German: Edeltanne, Tanne, Weisstanne

Polish: Jodla Pospolita

Slovak: Jedla Biela

Europe, Eastern

Croatian: Jela Obična

Romanian: Avete, Brad, Brad Alb

Russian: Pihta Europaicus

Slovenian: Navadna Jelka

Europe, Northern

Danish: Almindelig Aedelgran

Swedish: Vit Gran, Vit Silvergran

Europe, Southern

Italian: Abete Bianco, Avete Bianco

Portuguese: Abeto Branco

Spanish: Abeto Blanco

Europe, Western

Dutch: Gewone Zilverspar

English: Common Silver Fir, European Silver Fir, Silver Fir, White Fir

French: Sapin Argenté, Sapin Blanc, Sapin Commun, Sapin Des Vosges, Sapin Pectiné

Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland

Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine

Europe, Southern: Albania, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain

Europe, Western: France (including Corsica)

Biome: Alpine

European silver fir is a large evergreen tree growing 40-50m (130-160ft) tall with a trunk up to 1.5m in diameter. Occurs at altitudes 300-1,700m (980-5,580ft), preferring over 500m (1,600ft). Its leaves are flattened needles, glossy dark green on the topside, with two greenish-white stomata bands below, and usually notched at the tip. It produces cones that are 9-17cm (3.5-6.7in) long and 3-4cm (1.2-1.6in) wide. Each cone has 150-200 scales, with each scale producing 2 winged seeds.

European silver fir often forms stands with Norway spruce, Scots pine, and European beech.

The wood is strong, lightweight, light-colored (hence the name), fine-grained, even-textured, and long-fibered, making it ideal for interior construction and furniture.

Abies alba cones, own work -- Jerzy Opiola.

Essential Oil
Essential oil from the silver fir is used in perfume, bath products, and aerosol inhalants.

Spruce Beer
All parts of its branches (needles, bark, wood) were used to produce spruce beer.

Wine Casks
Used since classical Rome to make wine casks.

Christmas Tree
Original Christmas tree, despite being popularly replaced by the Nordmann fir and Norway spruce.

Fir Honey
Honeybees collect the honeydew from aphids on this tree. The resulting honey is marketed as "fir honey."

Use the term "dead whites" in a riddle where the phrase refers to fir trees, playing on the audience's expectation that it relates to snow-capped mountains or something else while in the area.
The relation between the European silver fir, Norway spruce, Scots pine, and European beech suggests a structural relationship. They could be the heraldry of allied houses or directional trees in a sacred stand, with the resident mystics identifying each with a cardinal direction. One might even identify each tree as representative of one of the elements! There's a lot to work with here.

Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo)

Abies pinsapo var. tazaotana, Wakehurst Place, UK.
Photo by David Iliff.

Europe, Central

German: Spanische Tanne, Tanne Von Spanien

Europe, Northern

Swedish: Spansk Ädelgran

Europe, Southern

Spanish: Abeto Andaluz, Abeto De España, Abeto Español, Pinsapo

Europe, Western

English: Andalusian Fir, Hedgehog Fir, Moroccan Fir, Pinsapo Fir, Spanish Fir

French: Sapin D'Espagne

Africa, Northern: Morocco

Europe, Southern: Spain

Biome: Alpine

The Spanish fir is a medium to large evergreen tree, 20-30m (65-100ft) tall. It grows at altitudes of 900-1,800m (3,000-5,900ft) in Spain and 1,400-2,100m (4,600-6,900ft) in the Rif mountains of Morocco.

Its flat needle leaves have a pale blue-green topside with two whitish stomatal bands on the underside.

Abies pinsapo var. marocana cone.
Own work -- Chiswick Chap.

Retained for name and distribution.

Taurus Fir (Abies cilicica)

Abies cilicica, Ammoua Reserve, Akkar district, North Lebanon.
Own work -- Elie plus.

Asia, West

Turkish: Kilikya Göknarı, Toros Göknarı

Europe, Central

German: Kilikische Tanne

Europe, Western

English: Cilician Fir, Syrian Fir, Taurus Fir

French: Sapin De Cilicie

Asia, West: Lebanon, Syria, Turkey

Biome: Alpine

Cilician fir is an evergreen tree that grows at elevations of 800-2,100m (2,600-6,900ft).

Bark Properties: Resin.

1st-century resin blocks were found by archaeologists at the Egypto-Roman port of Berenice Troglodytica on the Red Sea. This resin was used medicinally and in the mummification process.

Presently the tree is used for plywood production but is rarely cultivated for this purpose due to its susceptibility to late frosts in the early spring.

We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Resin
The ancients used the resin of the Cilician fir and its derived oil for these reasons: