Rosemary is for Remembrance - ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee (2024)

FAQs

Rosemary is for Remembrance - ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee? ›

Wearing rosemary

Since ancient times, the aromatic herb rosemary has been believed to improve your memory. It's an ancient symbol of fidelity and remembrance. So it's a fitting commemorative symbol to help us remember those who served and those who died.

Rosemary is the symbol of remembrance, friendship and love and was thus used in wedding ceremonies; it was thought that the flowers turned blue when the Virgin Mary hung her blue cloak on a bush when fleeing Herod's soldiers.

Rosemary is an emblem of remembrance. It is traditional on Anzac Day to wear a sprig of rosemary pinned to a coat lapel or to the breast (it does not matter which side, but left seems most common), or held in place by medals.

If you follow the meaning of flowers, rosemary signifies love and remembrance, making it a great holiday gift. Rosmarinus officinalis is a tender perennial plant that is native to the cool and moist Mediterranean region. Rosemary grows well in Central Illinois, but it will not overwinter outside.

The 1920s cemented Anzac Day as a national commemoration, which has since grown to a day of solemn reflection and gratitude to all who have served in Australia's military. Remembrance Day is held on the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in WWI.

Rosemary was often planted at tombs to be an emblem of eternity. It was also thought to be a protector from disease and it was said to ward off plague. In Britain, in more recent times, mourners were sometimes given sprigs of rosemary to cast in the coffin to signify that they would not forget their dear friend.

Herb of legend and of Christmas, rosemary is the herbal symbol of love, loyalty, and remembrance. Rosemary, Rose of the Sea, Dew-of-the-Sea and Rose of Mary, is not mentioned specifically in the Bible but is a plant of ancient lineage.

“Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory and has been used as a symbol for remembrance during weddings, war commemorations and funerals in Europe and Australia. Mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead.”

There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that's for thoughts... There's fennel for you, and columbines; there's rue for you, and here's some for me; we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays. O, you must wear your rue with a difference.

What does ANZAC stand for? ›

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April each year. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula.

Commemorate Anzac Day with these classic Aussie favourites featuring golden meat pies, chewy choc-chip Anzac biscuits, easy lemon myrtle damper and delicious Tim Tam lamington balls.

The corps was re-established, briefly, in the Second World War during the Battle of Greece in 1941. The term 'ANZAC' has been used since for joint Australian–New Zealand units of different sizes.

Rosemary contains carnosic acid, a compound known for its powerful antioxidant properties. Studies have found that carnosic acid can slow the growth of cancer cells in the body and even lower the risk of developing tumors.

This plant was, in ancient times, supposed to strengthen memory. Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help remember their studies, and the association with remembrance has carried through to modern times. In literature and folklore it is an emblem of remembrance.

Ancient Greeks dedicated this plant to the goddess Aphrodite, and rosemary crowns were worn by brides as a symbol of love and fidelity. When preparing for exams, students made rosemary crowns to improve their memory.

The wreath itself represents eternal life and the evergreen foliage, the eternal spirit. Rosemary has become a symbol of remembrance, believed to have properties that improve the memory and with special significance to Australians as it grows wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Rosemary is famed for strengthening the memory, and thus is considered the emblem of fidelity for lovers. Sprigs of the herb were worn entwined in the bridal wreath. A rosemary branch, guilded and tied with “silkan ribands of all colours was presented to wedding guests, as a symbol of love and loyalty,” says M.

Sir Thomas Moore (1478-1535) wrote of its meaning and links with death and in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia states "There's Rosemary; that's for remembrance". It was often carried in funeral processions, right up until Victorian times.

Traditionally, rosemary has been used medicinally to: Improve memory. Relieve muscle pain and spasm. Stimulate hair growth.