Rosemary
Rosemary is a small perennial shrub of the mint family. This compact evergreen, with clusters of small light blue flowers and leaves that yield a fragrant essential oil used in making perfume and to flavour food, is native to the Mediterranean region.
Legend says that the Virgin Mary, while resting, spread her cloak over a white flowering rosemary bush. The flowers turned the blue of her cloak, and from then on the bush was referred to as the “Rose of Mary”.
Since ancient times this aromatic herb has been believed to have properties to improve memory. Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help remember their studies, and the association with remembrance has carried through to modern times.
Perhaps because of this, rosemary became an emblem of both fidelity and remembrance in literature and folklore and is an emblem for occasions such as funerals and weddings. Shakespeare makes reference to rosemary in the play of Hamlet (Act IV Scene 5) where Ophelia, decked with flowers, says to Laertes:
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance”.
It is thought the tradition began at Gallipoli as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula as they used the rosemary to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers as there was no other green foliage available Traditionally, sprigs of rosemary are worn on Anzac and sometimes on Remembrance Days, and are usually handed out by Legacy and the RSL.
On ANZAC Day, the wearing of small sprigs of rosemary in the coat lapel, pinned to the breast or held in place by medals is thus synonymous with remembrance and commemoration.
Legend says that the Virgin Mary, while resting, spread her cloak over a white flowering rosemary bush. The flowers turned the blue of her cloak, and from then on the bush was referred to as the “Rose of Mary”.
Since ancient times this aromatic herb has been believed to have properties to improve memory. Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help remember their studies, and the association with remembrance has carried through to modern times.
Perhaps because of this, rosemary became an emblem of both fidelity and remembrance in literature and folklore and is an emblem for occasions such as funerals and weddings. Shakespeare makes reference to rosemary in the play of Hamlet (Act IV Scene 5) where Ophelia, decked with flowers, says to Laertes:
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance”.
It is thought the tradition began at Gallipoli as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula as they used the rosemary to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers as there was no other green foliage available Traditionally, sprigs of rosemary are worn on Anzac and sometimes on Remembrance Days, and are usually handed out by Legacy and the RSL.
On ANZAC Day, the wearing of small sprigs of rosemary in the coat lapel, pinned to the breast or held in place by medals is thus synonymous with remembrance and commemoration.