Growing in the midst between winter and spring, poking it's head from under the snow, it is no wonder that this flower is such a strong symbol of hope and rebirth. The snowdrop or "Galanthus" has a rich folklore value, which will be viewed in this post .
Seeing snowdrops is one of the first signs that spring is on the way. Therefore, it is no surprise that they symbolize eternal life, hope, purity, comfort and strength. They stand for love, miracles and mercy.
Myth and Lore
The snowdrop flower has been included in various legends. One of which is how it came to be.
According to one legend, the snowdrop dates back to the time after God banished Eve from the Garden of Eden. God sent continuous snow and Eve was weeping due to the cold, an angel saw her and comforted her, by taking one snowflake and blowing on it, the snowflake fell on the ground and a snowdrop bloomed in its place. Thus, the snowdrops became a symbol of hope, rebirth, and comfort.
Another legend tells of the creation of the world by God. God asked the snow to pick one plant for color, as winter was colorless. However all the plants refused, which made the snow upset and so snow and wind united to bring heavy storms on Earth. But a small snowdrop decided to offer its white color. The snow thought of the white color as pure and beautiful and so the snowdrop became the only flower allowed to grow in the snow, bringing hope and promise for spring.
A Romanian tale tells us of a hero who battled winter after she had kidnapped and kept prisoner the sun . Unfortunately after setting free the sun the hero died of his own battle wounds, but from his blood grew snowdrops and melted the snow.
A similar Moldovan legend tells of a fight between Lady Spring and the Winter Witch. During the battle Lady Spring was wounded and a drop of her blood fell on the ground and melted the snow and there snowdrops bloomed to symbolize Lady Spring had won the battle.
Another legend says that there was once a fairy called Silver Wing. One day early in February she grew tired of waiting for spring to come and decided to run away from Fairyland and see what earth looked like during winter. Some other fairies also decided to go with her. For some time they played wearing their green frocks and white bonnets in the winter snow. At one point they found a place and fell asleep. When they woke up everything was covered in snow and a man (Jack Frost) stood before them. To punish them for their rebelliousness he turned them into flowers and kept them for three weeks, he then allowed them to go home, but made them return every year for a few weeks. The children of the earth would then call them snowdrops.
In Homer’s epic poem, Odyssey it is said that Hermes gave Ulysses a herb known as Moly. This herb made Ulysses resistant to the poison of forgetting of the witch Circe, and destroyed the amnesia that Circe had poisoned his crew with. This "Moly" is believed to really be a snowdrop. As in medicine the Snowdrop is a source of an alkaloid called galanthamine which helps in treatments of traumatic injuries to the nervous system and is researched as a medicine to Alzheimer's disease. (Mind you Snowdrops are poisonous to eat, leading to dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and in extreme cases, death.)
However, in some folklore, snowdrops are seen as unlucky. The Victorians believed snowdrops represent death and considered it bad luck to bring snowdrops inside the home. The sight of a snowdrop bloom was considered an omen of death.
In witchcraft
In witchcraft this flower can be used in purification spells and rituals. It is believed that if you carry a bouquet of snowdrops from room to room you are cleansing the house. This is best performed on Imbolc as both are tightly connected symbolically.
They are also a great addition to any formula or spell intended to spiritual work, bringing comfort and hope. Great for amulets and spell jars for grieving people.
And thus the snowdrop, like the bow
That spans the cloudy sky,
Becomes a symbol whence we know
That brighter days are nigh.”
–George Wilson
Blessed be. Witches!
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