THE WORLD OF PLANTS IN TURKISH FOLKLORE

The plant of Üzerlik:The plant of Üzerlik: In TurkIn Turkiiyyee Peganum harmalaPeganum harmala is called is called yüzerlikyüzerlik or or

üzerliküzerlik.. Dried capsules from this plant are strung Dried capsules from this plant are strung and hung in homes or vehiclesand hung in homes or vehicles

These are flowers of Üzerlik plants

it is used it is used to protect against "the to protect against "the evil eyeevil eye."."

Blackberry TreeBlackberry Tree Passing beneath aPassing beneath a Blackberry TreeBlackberry Tree::

In Turkish folklore, In Turkish folklore, childless women, and cows childless women, and cows

that don't get pregnant, that don't get pregnant, and children wetting their and children wetting their beds are supposedly cured beds are supposedly cured

by passing under a by passing under a blackberryblackberry bush known as bush known as

"Avat" (West Trabzon). "Avat" (West Trabzon). “Avat is believed to be a “Avat is believed to be a charm herb of paradise.”charm herb of paradise.”

BlackberriesBlackberries

VineVine

Vine-breakingVine-breaking:: In ÇarIn Çarsisibabassi town, there is a way of i town, there is a way of

testing whether a marriage is testing whether a marriage is propitious: when the new bride propitious: when the new bride enters the house, she is asked to enters the house, she is asked to break a break a vinevine into three pieces, which into three pieces, which are then planted in the ground. If are then planted in the ground. If they sprout, this means the marriage they sprout, this means the marriage will be successful.will be successful.

HOLLY TREES:HOLLY TREES: today peasants love trees as their today peasants love trees as their

children.Therechildren.There is is a story from 19th a story from 19th century show us that this love comes century show us that this love comes from very old days. A hunter from from very old days. A hunter from MersinMersin village cut a tree called kragen which was village cut a tree called kragen which was idol of Akcaabat society (Since 1940). idol of Akcaabat society (Since 1940). Then the peasants called the police and Then the peasants called the police and said that the hunter cut the said that the hunter cut the EvliyaEvliya ( (in Turkishin Turkish and Arabic Evliya and Arabic Evliya means“Saint”). At first the police means“Saint”). At first the police understood that the hunter killed a man understood that the hunter killed a man called Evliya (Saint) but later they saw called Evliya (Saint) but later they saw that the “saint” was a tree so they let the that the “saint” was a tree so they let the hunter go.hunter go.

Juniper –

Ardiç agaci:

Juniper is believed to be a holly three and it is forbidden to cut junipers in Anatolian folklore.

JunipersJunipers

Nazar Tree: In Cappadocia region people believe thatif they hang nazars on trees their wishes will come true

Mesir: A mixture made of Mesir: A mixture made of 41 different types of plants 41 different types of plants

and speciesand species

Mesir is a very old tradition dating Mesir is a very old tradition dating back to 500 years.back to 500 years.

According to the story Ayse Hafsa According to the story Ayse Hafsa Sultan who was mother of Ottoman Sultan who was mother of Ottoman Emperor Suleyman the Magnificent, Emperor Suleyman the Magnificent, she was deadly ill. No doctors could she was deadly ill. No doctors could give her a private medical treatment. give her a private medical treatment.

Muslihittin Efendi, the doctor of Sultan Suleyman prepared Muslihittin Efendi, the doctor of Sultan Suleyman prepared a mixture called Mesir. After eating this mixture made of a mixture called Mesir. After eating this mixture made of 41 different plants and species she was recovered.41 different plants and species she was recovered.

Since 1527 a festivity Since 1527 a festivity is organised every is organised every year to distribute this year to distribute this mixture to people.mixture to people.

For this, For this, 22nd of 22nd of March was March was selected selected because it because it symbolized symbolized the the beginning of beginning of Spring,Spring,

thousands of people gather in front of thousands of people gather in front of the Sultan Mosque to catch the Mesir the Sultan Mosque to catch the Mesir Paste wrapped in paper and thrown Paste wrapped in paper and thrown

from mosques rooftop.from mosques rooftop.

Hidrellez is celebrated on 6th of May and its a Hidrellez is celebrated on 6th of May and its a symbol showing winter ends and summer comes, in symbol showing winter ends and summer comes, in Izmir Hidrellez is celebrated as a festival, here are Izmir Hidrellez is celebrated as a festival, here are some traditions related with plants during some traditions related with plants during Hidrellez.Hidrellez.

Rose Tree:

Nettle and Nettle and YemiskenYemisken

HOMETOWN OF TULIPS: HOMETOWN OF TULIPS: TURKIYETURKIYE

Everybody thinks that tulips come from Everybody thinks that tulips come from Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland Century they were brought to Holland from Turkiye, and quickly became from Turkiye, and quickly became widely popular.widely popular.

Today Tulips are Today Tulips are cultivated in Holland cultivated in Holland in great numbers and in great numbers and in huge fields. Dutch in huge fields. Dutch bulbs, including tulips bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, are and daffodils, are exported all around exported all around the world so people the world so people believe that it's believe that it's originated from there originated from there as well. In fact many as well. In fact many cultivated varieties cultivated varieties were widely grown were widely grown in Turkey long before in Turkey long before they were introduced they were introduced to European gardens.to European gardens.

THE ERA OF TULIPS IN THE ERA OF TULIPS IN

OTTOMAN PERIODOTTOMAN PERIOD

Also in the Turkish history tulips Also in the Turkish history tulips played a fascinating role. The period played a fascinating role. The period in our history between 1718-1730 is in our history between 1718-1730 is called the "Tulip Era", under the reign called the "Tulip Era", under the reign of sultan Ahmed III. This period is of sultan Ahmed III. This period is also expressed as an era of peace and also expressed as an era of peace and enjoyment. enjoyment.

Also in the Turkish history tulips Also in the Turkish history tulips played a fascinating role. The period played a fascinating role. The period in our history between 1718-1730 is in our history between 1718-1730 is called the "Tulip Era", under the reign called the "Tulip Era", under the reign of sultan Ahmed III. This period is also of sultan Ahmed III. This period is also expressed as an era of peace and expressed as an era of peace and enjoyment.enjoyment.

. . In this period Tulips became a In this period Tulips became a necessary essential style of life within necessary essential style of life within

the arts, folklore and the daily life.the arts, folklore and the daily life.

Tulip figures on fabrics, ceramics, Tulip figures on fabrics, ceramics, calligraphy, paper marbling, jewellery, calligraphy, paper marbling, jewellery, embroidery, carpets, miniaturesembroidery, carpets, miniatures

Thank you Thank you

Presentation by:Presentation by:

students and teachers of students and teachers of Alaçatı Atatürk Primary School Alaçatı Atatürk Primary School

Çeşme – İzmirÇeşme – İzmir

TÜRKİYETÜRKİYE