Willow The willow is much valued and appreciated for its generous shade. Its osiers are—flexible twigs—used in basket weaving, and ropes; even for tea for those who cannot afford the expensive kind. The bark and leaves are used as remedies for certain illnesses. The willow is the Buddhist symbol of meekness, although it inspired poetry and paintings for its beauty, suppleness, and frailty having become the emblem of the fair sex. The well known English porcelain “willow-pattern” is based on a fable of a young lady and her love. It depicts the imprisonment of Koong-see, whose father, the old mandarin, forbids her to see her lover. However, the lovers transformed into doves and became the symbol of beautiful in life and undivided in death.More importantly, the willow tree is believed to hold power over demons and its branches are often used in many different spiritual applications. |