Maria Linde

Until the last century, the linden tree was very strongly intertwined with daily life and community life. Since the Germans, the linden was the "tree of justice." In its shade, justice was administered, verdicts were passed, and meetings were held. Besides being the tree of justice, it was also the "Freyalinde." Named after the Germanic goddess of love, justice, domestic happiness, and fertility. In every village, there stood such a Freyalinde in the central market. Under it, people danced, drank, and loved. In short, it was a place for joy and relaxation. With the Christianization, the linden in our regions changed its protective role. Like many plants dedicated to Freya, the linden was henceforth dedicated to Mary. The Freyalinde thus became a Marialinde. Tree decorations were hung in large numbers in linden trees, where you can still find them today. And also, next to churches and chapels, as here, Marialindes were planted.

People were convinced that the linden offered protection against witches and wizards. In addition, it also ensured good health. Various ailments could be cured using the linden. For instance, linden leaves were tied on the forehead to relieve headaches, and linden sprouts were mixed into children's porridge to relieve them of toothache.

Despite this protective function, a linden once caused a murder. In the Nieblungsaga, the great hero Siegfried defeats the dragon. Then he bathed in its blood, which makes Siegfried invulnerable. Unfortunately, just then, a linden leaf drifted down onto Siegfried's right shoulder blade. The hero was unaware of his vulnerable spot. However, his rival, Hagen of Tronje, had seen it. He exploited this knowledge and pierced Siegfried with his spear. The name linden is believed to derive from the use of the bark (linda = binding), but also from winding, twisting, and coiling. This is fitting because the Enareans, Greek man-wisdoms, were able to make predictions by splitting linden bark into three parts and winding it around their fingers. By unwrapping it, they were able to see the future.

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