Home of Oriental Plane Tree Part III
Siamak D. Ahi
Veneration of Old Trees
Della Valle’s remarks on relation of Persians and large and old trees is quite interesting;
Persians have “a custom of venerate all large and old trees, Believing that these are the retreat of happy souls whom … they call Pir, Sheikh or Imam…”.
Also J. Chardin states that:
“The Mohammedans devoutly revere trees which seem to have existed for several centuries.”
Veneration of old trees seem to have an ancient tradition in Persia. Xerxes is said to have decorated a beautiful plane tree with golden ornaments during his expedition against Greece. (Herodotus, Polo)
In fact many recorded old planes (Chenars) are located near the shrine of an Emam-zadeh, at or near a masque, a Takieh, an old cemetery, or similar “sacred” places.
For instance the 220 years old (20m high) plane at Emamzadeh Abbas and 140 years old (20m high) plane at Pir Takieh in Sari, northern province of Mazandaran. In Kaagak, a county of Gonaabaad, the 420 years old plane (21m high) is located in front of Masjed-e Baalaa. In Rostam-Kalaaateh, in Gorgan, the 205 years old (30m high) is at old cemetery.
Some of the more venerable of old planes are popularly believed or expected to work miracles, such as curing an illness, finding a good husband for an unwed girl, or ridding a married woman of her cowife.
In order to have their wishes grated, superstitious people (usually women) tie a dakheel (mostly a shred from their chador, scarf, dress and the like) to a nail which they drive well into plate trunk. They may use a nail left by someone whose wish has been granted and untied her dakhil. If there are accessible shoots or twigs on the trunk, the dakhil may be tied on them.
Votive candles may also be lit somewhere on the trunk or, if the trunk base has been hollowed out by age, inside the grotto.
In Tehran, two of the oldest planes still extant at old sanctuary of Emamzadeh Yahya, bear the vestiges of old and recent dakheels.
One plane is now standing outside the premises of Emamzadeh. Known as Chenar-e Sookhteh (burnt plane), for the huge hollow in the trunk base has been charred by the smoke and flame of votary candles and lamps. The entrance to tree grotto was barred later bay a door.
Another miracle-working plane in Tehran, known as Haft Chenar (The seven planes), is located near a small masque in a southwestern district of the city. Tis plane loks like seven independent planes having grown to each other, but tha seven massive trunks have developed from a single enormous base, which is now almost totally buried in ground. The seven-bole plane, signalized by the “sacredness” of the number seven, bears also dakhils, and the small grotto in one of the boles is charred.
The popular veneration for old planes and similar longevous trees like cypresses, may in some cases have created fictitious patron saints for them.
For instance, in connection with the plane of Emamzadeh Saleh, is popularly believed to be the nephew of eight imam, Imam Reza. Hedaaayat has recorded a folktale about origin of that plane.
Within the Arg precinct in Tehran there were a number of old chenars, known as Chenar-e abbasi and popularly but erroneously ascribed to Abbas. According to E’temad-al-saltaneh, they had been planted by the order of Shah Abbas
Will Continue
Siamak D. Ahi
Veneration of Old Trees
Della Valle’s remarks on relation of Persians and large and old trees is quite interesting;
Persians have “a custom of venerate all large and old trees, Believing that these are the retreat of happy souls whom … they call Pir, Sheikh or Imam…”.
Also J. Chardin states that:
“The Mohammedans devoutly revere trees which seem to have existed for several centuries.”
Veneration of old trees seem to have an ancient tradition in Persia. Xerxes is said to have decorated a beautiful plane tree with golden ornaments during his expedition against Greece. (Herodotus, Polo)
In fact many recorded old planes (Chenars) are located near the shrine of an Emam-zadeh, at or near a masque, a Takieh, an old cemetery, or similar “sacred” places.
For instance the 220 years old (20m high) plane at Emamzadeh Abbas and 140 years old (20m high) plane at Pir Takieh in Sari, northern province of Mazandaran. In Kaagak, a county of Gonaabaad, the 420 years old plane (21m high) is located in front of Masjed-e Baalaa. In Rostam-Kalaaateh, in Gorgan, the 205 years old (30m high) is at old cemetery.
Some of the more venerable of old planes are popularly believed or expected to work miracles, such as curing an illness, finding a good husband for an unwed girl, or ridding a married woman of her cowife.
In order to have their wishes grated, superstitious people (usually women) tie a dakheel (mostly a shred from their chador, scarf, dress and the like) to a nail which they drive well into plate trunk. They may use a nail left by someone whose wish has been granted and untied her dakhil. If there are accessible shoots or twigs on the trunk, the dakhil may be tied on them.
Votive candles may also be lit somewhere on the trunk or, if the trunk base has been hollowed out by age, inside the grotto.
In Tehran, two of the oldest planes still extant at old sanctuary of Emamzadeh Yahya, bear the vestiges of old and recent dakheels.
One plane is now standing outside the premises of Emamzadeh. Known as Chenar-e Sookhteh (burnt plane), for the huge hollow in the trunk base has been charred by the smoke and flame of votary candles and lamps. The entrance to tree grotto was barred later bay a door.
Another miracle-working plane in Tehran, known as Haft Chenar (The seven planes), is located near a small masque in a southwestern district of the city. Tis plane loks like seven independent planes having grown to each other, but tha seven massive trunks have developed from a single enormous base, which is now almost totally buried in ground. The seven-bole plane, signalized by the “sacredness” of the number seven, bears also dakhils, and the small grotto in one of the boles is charred.
The popular veneration for old planes and similar longevous trees like cypresses, may in some cases have created fictitious patron saints for them.
For instance, in connection with the plane of Emamzadeh Saleh, is popularly believed to be the nephew of eight imam, Imam Reza. Hedaaayat has recorded a folktale about origin of that plane.
Within the Arg precinct in Tehran there were a number of old chenars, known as Chenar-e abbasi and popularly but erroneously ascribed to Abbas. According to E’temad-al-saltaneh, they had been planted by the order of Shah Abbas
Will Continue
5 Comments:
Thank you so much for your wonderful writings on the plane tree. I sit everyday looking through a window with a vast canopy of plane leaves nodding in prayer. Every breath of the creator spirit is caught by them and the sun shines through their emerald green. I have a blog site dedicated to my window and the plane's or chedar's movements beyond. Once again - Thank you for your wonderful site.
By McCabeandco, at 12:59 AM
I said chedar when I meant chenar, sorry. Your blog is wonderful and your representation of your homelands is equally a representation of great beauty. Well done!
By McCabeandco, at 1:05 AM
louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton outlet, longchamp outlet, christian louboutin outlet, ugg boots, tiffany and co, ray ban sunglasses, tory burch outlet, longchamp outlet, burberry pas cher, michael kors pas cher, chanel handbags, air max, christian louboutin shoes, oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, oakley sunglasses wholesale, sac longchamp pas cher, nike air max, jordan shoes, christian louboutin, louis vuitton, cheap oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, ugg boots, nike outlet, prada outlet, oakley sunglasses, prada handbags, louboutin pas cher, tiffany jewelry, nike air max, replica watches, polo outlet, nike roshe, louis vuitton, nike free run, gucci handbags, kate spade outlet, louis vuitton outlet, longchamp pas cher, oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin uk, polo ralph lauren outlet online, jordan pas cher, nike free, uggs on sale, polo ralph lauren, replica watches
By oakleyses, at 6:35 PM
ugg, moncler, montre pas cher, moncler, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, thomas sabo, links of london, canada goose, doudoune moncler, marc jacobs, pandora uk, pandora jewelry, louis vuitton, ugg pas cher, canada goose jackets, pandora jewelry, canada goose outlet, replica watches, canada goose outlet, swarovski, pandora charms, moncler uk, moncler, karen millen uk, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, moncler, canada goose, wedding dresses, ugg uk, juicy couture outlet, supra shoes, moncler outlet, juicy couture outlet, swarovski crystal, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, hollister, canada goose outlet, moncler outlet, louis vuitton, canada goose uk, coach outlet, toms shoes, louis vuitton, canada goose
By oakleyses, at 6:39 PM
I love the podcasts available on this site.
By التردد الحراري, at 5:35 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home