Basil: an herb with a bit of a checkered past. Modern-day basil is known as the “King of the Herbs” and is associated with the words I’ve woven into the veins of the leaves:
“Enjoy”
“Gather”
“Savor”
“Cherish”
~ In medieval Italy, girls wore sprigs of basil in their hair to signify their availability for marriage.
~ In Romania, if a boy accepts a sprig of basil from a girl, they are engaged to be married.
~ The ancient Greeks thought consuming basil caused scorpions to grow in the brain.
I’ll let you decide if those three things are in any way related…
I decided to photograph the basil leaf as a brand-new pattern for my table runners: the idea of gathering together over a delicious meal, enjoying the company of family or friends, and appreciating these memories all fit perfectly with this sweet and popular herb. Enjoy!