Myths And Flora - Goddess Vesna and the Dandelion

Vesna is the Slavic goddess of spring and youth, who brings spring joy after a cold winter. She has power over the warmth of the sun that renews nature, in which everything grows and blooms in spring. The earth opens and a living connection is established between the flora and the underworld, where plant treasures and wealth are hidden. Vesna reconciles the heart and the mind, and improves health which was impaired during the winter. With the arrival of spring, people become good and gentle, nurturing respect and friendship for one another. In honour of goddess Vesna, girls used to dress in clothes of grass and flowers. Her flower is the dandelion, and her bird is the swallow.

The dandelion (Taraxacum) is an herbaceous perennial from the daisy family. It has serrated leaves in a basal rosette, from which a stem with a yellow flower head emerges. After flowering, the seed appears in the form of an aerial ball with numerous seeds. It grows in meadows, along roads, in parks and gardens. All parts of the dandelion (root, flowering plant and flower) are medicinal, and its healing properties depend on the season. Young dandelion leaves are used to prepare salad, and honey-like syrup is prepared from the flowers. (Željka Šaravanja)