Rowan Tree Myths, Legends, and Facts

Sometimes we do things without fully understanding why, and later realize that we actually had the reason hidden somewhere in our minds.  There are folks who believe that we carry the spirits of past generations that guide us. 

Rowan Tree Berry Cluster

Years ago, my daughter gave me a Rowan Tree (often known as a Mountain Ash) as a Mother’s Day gift.  Without hesitation, I decided to plant it a few feet from my front door.  It flourished, bore flowers and berry clusters, attracted birds that picked every bit of fruit from it in the autumn, and survived a move to my new home where, once again, it grows near my front door.

Several years later, while researching the Rowan, I learned of that fast-growing tree’s ability to tolerate air pollution.  Also, I learned that in many different cultures through centuries, it was revered for its special powers and properties.

The Old Norsemen treated the tree as holy and sacred for, according to their mythology, Embla, the first woman, was made from the Rowan tree.  Also, they believed that when Thor fell into a swift-moving river during his journey to the underworld, a Rowan tree bent over to help him as he struggled to reach the shore.

According to many, the tree’s protective influence strengthens a person’s life energy which then allows her/him to break victim consciousness and be self protective through intuitive insights.  To this day, many believe that the Rowan’s energy can increase individuals’ abilities to communicate with the spirit realms.

The trees’ berries bear a five-pointed star – the ancient symbol of protection – that represents the five elements:  spirit, earth, air, water, and fire.  Believing that this “Tree of Life” provided protection, Celtic people frequently planted them in churchyards to ward off evil spirits, or placed Rowan twigs on graves “to keep the unquiet dead from leaving their graves”.

In some Scottish areas, Rowan branches were hung above stable doors to prevent witches from taking the horses for a midnight ride.  Highland Scottish women wore necklaces of Rowan berries strung on dyed red thread, while in Wales people wore crosses carved from pieces of the tree’s wood. 

Some Irish people believed that fairies loved it so much that they hired a giant to protect their Rowan tree.  Highland Scots made wines of the berries while the Welsh made ales, and the Irish used them to flavour mead. 

Symbolizing growth and rebirth, the Rowan tree’s  dense wood, considered the best for making walking sticks, Druids’ staffs, divining rods, and, of course, magic wands, has always been used by the wise ones.

Why did I plant my Rowan tree near my front door?  Perhaps because that's where the ancient people planted theirs.