The beautiful legend of the dandelion

The dandelion is a small, yellow (apparently) most common wild flower. There are those who hate them, who see them as simple weeds that cloud the balance of a garden or a crop plot. They do it without knowing that their roots provide good amounts of nitrogen and minerals to the soil. Others appreciate it for its many medicinal purposes.

In fact, we cannot forget that Arab doctors already used it to create multiple remedies in the 10th and 11th centuries.. They were used for fever, toothache, urinary problems, anemia, constipation, arthritis, diabetes, gallbladder problems, heartburn, skin irritations, etc.

Now, what is no longer so well known about the taraxacum officinale It is one of the most magical elements in nature. An entire anthropology of the mystical and the spiritual is built around this simple and almost vulgar plant.. It fascinates by its transformation and enchants by the legends that have been built around it…

The shape of the leaves of this plant resembles a dandelion, hence its name.

The legend of the dandelion and the angel who was looking for a flower

The legend of the dandelion appeared for the first time in 1918 in the book Children’s time. It is a set of fables that were published weekly in many newspapers since 1908. Later, and due to its success, it ended up becoming a volume of stories and legends that was quite successful in the world of children and young people.

Title, Children’s time, was inspired by a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In those verses he explained that that moment when the day meets the sunset is the perfect moment to invent, to give way to fantasy, games and imagination. That period of time is made for childhood and, it is in this context, where the legend of this very special flower arose.

Nature angels choose their favorite element

The fable tells that The angels of nature met one day so that each one could decide which element they wanted to represent. In that universe of forests, meadows and mountains, each person had to reveal which being was their favorite and why. Many already had their answer clear. Some chose rivers, lakes or streams.

Many chose to choose some type of tree: poplars, poplars, oaks, elms, pines…. Rock angels abounded, who designated obsidian, quartz, diorite, mylonite, etc. as their favorite element. Thus, and as expected, many of these magical beings chose countless flowers to be their protectors, represent them, and care for them.

However, Among all that congregation of nature angels there was one who was known for his indecision. He didn’t know which element to choose and, although he was clear that his predilection was flowers, he didn’t know which one to choose. So he decided to talk to all of them…

The angel who spoke with the flowers and was captivated by a

The legend of the dandelion reveals to us that in the kingdom of flowers, most of them are petulant. All except one. Our indecisive angel spent almost a week talking with each one. The tulip, for example, told him that her wish was to live in castle gardens so that princes and princesses could admire her beauty.

When he spoke to the roses he obtained a similar comment, they were proud of their fragrance and longed to be in the most refined lands to conquer the most select people with their fragrance. Lilies, dahlias, peonies, hydrangeas and lilies… Most of the flowers turned out to be selfish and conceited; none managed to captivate the angel of nature.

Until, at one point, sitting on a rock, discovered a discreet yellow flower, simple, but optimistic in tone. When he began to talk to her, he discovered a simple creature who did not want to live anywhere else but where the wind took her. She loved the earth, the sky, the rain and every element of nature. She didn’t ask for more…

We all learn from childhood that, when you blow on a dandelion, you have to make a wish.

The dandelion, the flower that fulfills children’s wishes

The angel did not hesitate to gather with his companions to announce his choice: the dandelion. It should be noted that the rest of the classmates did not understand why he had chosen such a discreet, simple and vulgar flower. He did not hesitate to defend her. The transformation process of the dandelion symbolizes the sun, the moon and the stars.

This fascinating plant is born as a ball of yellow fibers, very similar to the star that gives us life.. Later, it acquires a round, spongy, silvery shape, like the Moon on summer nights. Then, to spread its seeds, it separates and travels great distances, like tiny shooting stars carried by the wind.

Everyone was captivated by that reasoning. And such was the affection that the angel developed for his beloved flower, that he gave him a power, a very special faculty.. Every time the children blew their seeds, one of their wishes would come true. Since then, as the legend of the dandelion tells it, we all grow up blowing on this plant hoping that our dreams come true.

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