This tiny but perfect flower has long been the symbol of remembrance, faithfulness and enduring love, and there are several legends associated with it in Western culture. Here are two of the best known.
The Legend of the Medieval Knight
A medieval German knight was picnicking on the bank of the Danube with his lady love. He descended the bank to the water’s edge to gather some of the lovely blue flowers he saw there, but while he was near the water, tragedy struck. A “freshet” (flash flood) suddenly appeared and pulled the young man into the churning river. As he was literally swept away, he tossed the bouquet to his lady on the bank with the words: “Forget me not!”
(Another version relates that the poor knight was pulled into the river by the weight of his shining but extremely heavy armour!)
The Legend of the Eyes of Mary
The young Jesus, looking into his mother's eyes one day in front of their home in Nazareth, said: "Mother, your eyes are so beautiful, everyone looks at them in wonder. What a pity those who will be born in future generations will not be able to behold them . . . because in your eyes one can see my paradise, and whoever looks into them cannot help but be drawn toward it." Then he touched her eyelids and passed his hands over the ground as though sowing seeds. Immediately forget-me-nots sprang up--hundreds of tiny blue eyes with golden centers, as a reminder for people of future generations of Mary's gentle blue eyes.
The Forget-Me-Not in Legend
What's in a name? Sally Ann explains . . .
The forget-me-not (myosotis alpestris) is a small blue wildflower with a yellow center. I have fond and vivid childhood memories of the forget-me-nots that grew in abundance among the roses in our garden in England. Year after year, these faithful little plants would reappear unbidden, their miniature sprays creating a
soft blue mist in the shadow of the extravagant pinks and peaches of their carefully cultivated town cousins, the hybrid tea roses, that were my father's pride and my mother's joy.
And so the name I chose for my business represents, in part, a small tribute to my beloved parents, now enjoying the Celestial Flower Garden . . . They taught me wonder for the world of nature with all its vast and tiny miracles; the importance of listening, of sharing, and of careful attention to the smallest detail . . . and -- OK, let's be practical for a moment -- how to bake, eat and enjoy a REALLY GOOD CAKE!
In my turn I hope that my small efforts to bring something beautiful to your celebration will create an enduring memory for you, not just of a delectable visual and gustatory experience, but a memory of the joy of celebrating, with family and friends, the important moments of your life.