Folklore And Customs Around The Strawberry

Strawberries in German customs

The strawberry was originally dedicated to the pre-Christian goddesses of love, especially Freja and Venus. Later, this veneration was transferred to Mary, the Mother of God. Since strawberry plants blossom and fruit at the same time, they were considered a symbol of virgin motherhood in the Middle Ages. The white colour of the blossoms stands for innocence, the red of the fruits symbolises love.

The shape of the leaf corresponds to the Trinity.
The reluctance to eat strawberries just like that is probably interwoven with the superstitions surrounding the plant. The small fruits grow so close to the earth, so close to the underworld, the world of the dead, so it is better to be careful here.

Strawberries and children

Legends and myths often refer directly or indirectly to children. For example, that the "Saligen", as the attendants of the goddess Holle/Holda were called, helped children to pick many strawberries. In Bavarian folk tradition, strawberries are gathered and hung in baskets on the horns of cattle to pay the local nature spirits in trade for many healthy calves and cows who produce an huge abundance of milk.

It was said that if a pregnant woman carried strawberry leaves in her pocket they would relieve the pains of pregnancy.

From inducing love to producing offspring, strawberry has been recognized as a potent little herb.

The development of red birthmarks was once attributed to the fact

that pregnant women had eaten strawberries.

Strawberries were also considered food for the "poor souls".

Fruit that children had dropped while picking was left for them.

If the children passed a cross or a chapel, they left 3 berries there as an offering.

Mothers who had lost their child were not supposed to eat strawberries before St. John's Day.

Strawberries and love

Because of their red colour and sweet-smelling aroma, strawberries were considered a symbol of seduction and sensuality. Artists immortalised them in poems, paintings and songs.

The old German term "Bresling" or "Prestling", in Swabian also "Bräschtling" and "Breschtleng", fits in with this. It is considered by some to refer to the similarities of the strawberry to a female nipple.

While a man was advised to get off his horse for a strawberry, a woman was better off crushing it.

Health and superstition

The first strawberries of the year were believed to have special healing powers. Crushed and rubbed into the face, they were said to be able to banish freckles. Feet and hands rubbed with strawberries were supposed to protect against frostbite. Hands rubbed with strawberries were said to protect against erysipelas.

To protect against bewitchment and disease, farmers fed strawberry leaves to their cattle on 1 May.

If you have any addition to my blogpost, just leave a comment.