We all use plants for food, for building materials, and for clothing. In some cultures and for some individuals, however, specific plants can be a connection to the spiritual or divine. Sacred plants are found in many traditions around the world, enriching the lives of the people who honor them. We want to note right now that we’re not experts on this, nor is this article a definitive guide to any particular plant or culture. This is a very brief introduction to some sacred plants and the roles the play for some people. Every culture or religion contains diversity, and every individual approaches their spiritual life in their own way. We present this as an introduction to the idea of sacred plants and (hopefully) inspiration for further exploration.
These plants are presented in no particular order, but we do want to start with one of our favorites. Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as the pink lotus or sacred lotus, is an aquatic plant commonly found across South Asian and Southeast Asia up into China. A long-lived plant with beautiful white and pink blossoms, sacred lotus carries spiritual significance and symbolism in religions and cultures as diverse as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and traditional Chinese belief. As an artistic motif, it is used around the world to represent beauty, longevity, or the divine. The lotus plant is even briefly mentioned in the Bible, appearing in the Book of Job. The many layers of meaning and association with various spiritual figures are too deep and detailed to go into here, so we hope you’ll use this as a starting point to explore on your own.
Another plant from South Asian, Ocimum sanctum, also known as tulsi or holy basil, is a sacred plant in Hinduism and related traditions and has become a focal point for New Age traditions in the Western world. Often associated with the goddess Lakshmi and her consort Vishnu, tulsi is a common feature in Hindu homes, gardens, and temples. Tulsi is used in religious ceremonies as well as as a culinary herb and medicinal plant. It’s also a common garden plant around the world due to its beautiful coloration and lovely aroma.
The holiday season has just come to a close, so we’d be remiss in not mentioning mistletoe (Viscum album and similar species). In pre-Christian Europe, mistletoe carried spiritual significance for the ancient Celtic peoples and in ancient Greek and Roman religion. Mistletoe is a symbol of fertility, of life enduring throughout the winter months, and has traditionally been viewed as a protective or good-luck plant. It appears today in holiday décor in both Europe and the Americas, where its traditional association with fertility and good luck carries on in the custom of kissing under the mistletoe during holiday festivities.
Native to the deserts of North America, peyote or Lophophora williamsii is probably going to be the most contentious plant on our list. Famous as a hallucinogen, peyote has been used as a sacred plant by the native peoples of the Americas for centuries. For the Huichol people of Mexico, peyote is a direct descendant of the Sun and one of the four principle deities. The Native American Church uses peyote as a sacrament in ceremonies designed to cultivate a closer connection with the spiritual world. For many non-Natives, peyote is a recreational drug. We don’t advise using it this way; peyote is a powerful plant with a deep significance to many people and should only be used in that context.
Other plants are also considered sacred to Native Americans/First Nations people, and we’ll touch on two more here. Salvia apiana, also known as white sage, sacred sage, or bee sage, is another native of the Southwestern US and northwestern Mexico. It is commonly used by Native peoples as a purification plant via smudging or as incense. Burning sage is a ritual practice for many, and there are a variety of ways it may be employed. Heircochloe odorata or sweetgrass, a native to the northeastern USA, eastern Canada, and parts of Europe, fulfills a similar role. In northern Europe sweetgrass was often laid in front of church doors before holy days. For the native peoples of the Americas, sweetgrass could be used to make baskets, as a traditional medicinal plant, or—similar to white sage—as an incense or smudging plant for purification or ritual purposes. Both white sage and sweetgrass have complex meanings in a wide variety of cultures and traditions. For more details about the roles these plants play in Native traditions, we strongly recommend the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer which explores the roles of many sacred plants both historically and today.
There’s a lot more to say, and we’re not fully qualified to say it all. There are many more sacred or spiritual plants out there in cultures, traditions, and religions around the world. Additionally, individuals develop their own relationships with particular plants which have deep meaning for them as people. We hope this sparks your interest in the deep, rich world of sacred or spiritual plants and that you’ll explore it a bit more. There’s so much to learn and it can add additional depth to our own gardening practices and garden spaces.
Leave a comment