Yew trees in cemeteries

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Yew trees in cemeteries

by ArtemisToxia @ 2007-10-26 – 21:39:05

Usksider asked me an interesting question the other day. Why are there so many yew trees in cemeteries? It’s not just in Britain either – they’re popular throughout Europe.

In ancient Greece and Rome, the yew was dedicated to Hecate, goddess of the Underworld and Magic. The torches of the Eumenides (goddesses of Vengeance) were also made of Yew.

But the main reason for yews being so closely associated with death is its toxicity and dark colour. It is also an evergreen, and these are usually all associated with death, and perhaps because it can be so long lived (some yews can grow for over 1,000 years) it has also come to represent immortality.
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14 Comments to Yew trees in cemeteries

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- technomist
- 2007-10-26 @ 21:55:52
What is interesting is that the tradition persists. I noticed recently there was a yew tree growing in the cemetery of a church in Boston, Lincolnshire, which was built no more than eighty years ago.
- - ArtemisToxia
  - 2007-10-27 @ 22:09:14
  It's not unusual for the Church to be built after the yew was planted, suggesting that the Church took over a previously sacred but pagan site, possibly part of a Yew Grove.
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- miramaze
- 2007-10-26 @ 22:00:45
I think yew trees are beautiful . I also hear they kept witches away,

Apparently the berries have curative properties, picked after frost .. I think .. Sorry I don't know details. Heard this from my reflexologist. :yes; beautfiful trees .

x
- - Munzly
  - http://poppycock.blog.co.uk/
  - 2007-10-26 @ 22:14:49
  All parts of the yew are extremely poisonous!
  - - ArtemisToxia
    - 2007-10-27 @ 22:21:06
    Thank you for visiting my blog and posting such an interesting link here. As you say, the yew is extremely poisonous and should be treated with great respect!
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- - ArtemisToxia
  - 2007-10-27 @ 22:14:07
  They ARE beautiful aren't they? I wouldn't like to self medicate though - as Munzly says, the plant is deadly poison. The only part which isn't is the red aril - even the seed at the centre of the berries is poisonous!
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- Usksider ^Pro
- http://www.usksider.co.uk
- 2007-10-26 @ 22:05:29
Good answer.

Miramaze is right, the berries are supposed to have curative properties; they can also kill you!

I realy love Yew trees. They have a special place in my heart... as do olive trees.
- - ArtemisToxia
  - 2007-10-27 @ 22:31:00
  Like the Yew, the Olive tree was also associated with death, and olive wreaths were placed on graves in Egypt, Greece and Rome.
  - - Usksider ^Pro
    - http://www.usksider.co.uk
    - 2007-10-28 @ 07:00:50
    The olive is rightly revered; a wonderful tree which gives so much pleasure.
    - - ArtemisToxia
      - 2007-10-28 @ 12:11:44
      And such wonderful olives! And olive oil!
      - Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        2007-10-28 @ 17:31:33
        
        Yes exactly. And for me Greek olive oil is the best in the world.
        
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- EllieGant
- 2007-10-28 @ 15:16:23
I've also heard that as cemeteries were protected and enclosed areas, they were planted to keep the foliage out of reach of cattle, as well as to provide decoration and memento mori.

And thanks for an interesting post - I had no idea it was all poisonous, I thought it was just the berries.
- - ArtemisToxia
  - 2007-10-29 @ 14:00:18
  Apparently yews were also planted in cemeteries in order to stop people cutting them down to make long bows out of them! It seems not everyone thought that the bow was a moral weapon of war!
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- Marcos (Visitor)
- 2008-12-05 @ 17:14:43
Among the vikings the Yew tree was sacred and dedicated to Ullr, the Archer God. He was also regarded as the Winter God - and because of this, with Death. His name means "Glory".
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