DASG Blog

Caorann

The rowan, an caorann, is the third tree in our series of blogs on trees. This is a fundamental lucky tree in Gaelic culture. There is many a story and superstition connected to this tree. It was thought that the rowan would provide protection against faerie magic, or would protect you from the evil eye or any other curse that came your way. We read in  Bàrdachd Ghàidhlig, that this tree belonged to the Druids.
 
The uses of the rowan are so numerous in the world of the Gael, that it will be in folk’s minds as something influential and lucky, for a reason that may not even be so obvious to them.
 
It would be of advantage to you to keep a rowan tree close by your house, and on no account do you harm it or cut it down! Having said that though, you would have to cut something from it in order to take a lucky token with you. Therefore, you can, in fact, cut something from a rowan tree provided you do not use a knife! A sprig of rowan is known as a craobh gharabhaigs in Scalpay, Harris, and could be used to heal eye diseases and earaches. It would also protect cattle against evil. In Scalpay, rowanberries are known as caraibhiag.

Have you ever heard of a snaidhmean-dearg? This is made of two rowan branches, bound together by red string in the shape of a cross. A few years ago, I took part in a project called Stories in the Land. As part of the Duke of Edinburgh challenge, a group of young people from Caol, near Fort William, travelled the drove road by Loch Àlainn, on horseback. Before they left, we tied snaidhmean-dearg to the horse’s tails. No doubt it benefited them as they retraced the drover’s footsteps!
 
A lorgag was given to a teething child in Applecross.
 
In the Camina Gadelica Vol 1 and 2, there are numerous references to the rowan. No doubt you would find more in each volume of the Carmina Gadelica. Rowan was burnt at the threshold of the byre on May Day and on Hallowmas. Perhaps the home would be particularly needing some luck and protection at those times of year, when the seasons are changing. Ghosts and bad spirits would be travelling the country in their hoards.
 
Here is a verse from a poem about the rowan, from Collected Poems, compiled by George Campbell Hay:
 
“The rowan will be white and the rowan will be red.
The taste is bad and bitter, and bitter is the scarlet to us
Like the embers on its branches and its thoughts on the snow.
And the opinion of its resin on the movements of the singing birds.”
 
Do you have a rowan tree in your garden? Do you know of any superstitions or stories connected to the rowan? Get in touch on Facebook or Twitter.