Meet the symbolism of the basil, the valentine plant!

O basil is a plant of small and rounded leaves, extremely aromatic, of the basil family. There are numerous traditions that relate it to the Popular Saints, especially Saint Anthony and Saint John. The association of this plant with the Popular Saints will have arisen because the basilic was already used in the sacred pagan rituals that celebrated fertility at the Summer Solstice, celebrated on June 21. The Popular Saints came to overlap with this important pagan festival, and some of its most important symbols remained – as is the case with the manger vessels and also the mast (which became St. John).

Originally from India, where it was considered sacred and therefore used in rituals, the manger was taken to Egypt 4,000 years ago by the Hindus.

In Roman antiquity the basilic was a symbol of love, and it is from Ancient Rome that the tradition comes of offering a manger to a girl as a way to propose. The word “manjeric” comes from the Greek ‘basilikón’, which means ‘palace grass’ and in Latin it was called ‘ocimum basilicum’. In ancient Portuguese, ‘basilikón’ came to be said ‘masilicum’, and then we came to the name ‘magiricum’.

In Italy, the leaves of the basil symbolize love, which is also linked to its “first” basil. 

Basil is considered one of the most “magic” plants that exist. Of the many legends that speak of him, stands out the story that tells that basil was growing around the tomb of Jesus Christ after His Resurrection. 

It is believed that basil purifies the energy of the space where it is found and, therefore, it was customary to offer basil as a gift to those who moved to a new house. 

It is also said that basil pushes away aggression, helping to put an end to anger and bringing family harmony. It is also associated with abundance and prosperity, and it is said to bring wealth to those who carry some basil leaves in their pockets; some leaves should also be placed next to the cash register or on the threshold of a store door to bring more profits to the business. 

Basil tea – or basil tea – helps the shyest people to free themselves in love.

It is said that one should not smell the basil directly, so that it does not lose its precious aroma, with the tradition of touching it lightly with its hand, which then leads to the nose so that it feels its perfume so characteristic. Perhaps this ritual is also linked to the symbolism of love, which needs to be treated with care and delicacy..

Some say that, to take care of the manger, it is enough to “water and put it in the moonlight”, with the cult of trying to keep the vase until the following year. However, it is not easy to achieve this feat, because it is a very sensitive plant and does not get along with the rigor of winter or the excessive heats of summer. Although it needs a lot of light, it cannot withstand direct exposure to the sun. It is said that the earth of the vessel must always be moist so that the basil remains in good health.

In addition to symbolizing love and fertility, manger has numerous health benefits, being used in popular mequinas to improve digestion, combat stomach problems and inflammations of the digestive system, and also of the mouth, as aphthas. Improves the breath and helps relieve the cramps. 

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