pussy willows (fwd)

[Leslie J. Dorfman]

Some interesting feedback for those who are also curious:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 95 08:11:47 EST
From: JRUEWILO at UKCC.UKY.EDU
To: serapion at UMICH.EDU
Subject: pussy willows

Dear Leslie,
     Pussy willows do indeed have a special symbolism.  First of all, they
have a particular trait that other trees do not.  One can take a branch of a
willow, put it in the ground and it will sprout.  Thus, it is an example of
spring fertility.  Secondly, in the spring, the fuzzy willows are bright yellow
 and attract bees, a sacred animal(?) which produces the honey for god's table.
 And another fertility symbol.  Finally, verbnaja subbota was also one of the
 holidays for young unmarrieds.  The Russian traditional holidays alternated
 between maried/unmarried focus and this one was for those entering the marri-
 age market (who would marry in the fall).  Once again, rebirth and new life
in the spring is symbolized.  Note that the Slavs in general have a set of
rituals in which men with some kind of phallic symbol chase women and touch
them with the symbol in order to increase fertility and symbolize the sexual
union.  The Bulgarian Kukeri do it also in the spring and at Xmas time.  hope
 this helps.  Jeanmarie Rouhier