Culture is a complex construct that is shaped by a variety of factors and, in turn, shapes our collective and individual identities. But does a tiny plant have the power to influence our beliefs, customs, and traditions? The answer is yes! No spice in history has influenced culture the way saffron has. Through its unique colour and aroma, the spice has managed to charm and captivate various civilizations throughout history.
Saffron has always been one of the world’s most valuable and sought-after commodities. As new empires emerged, the use of saffron expanded across the globe, and so did its cultural impact. Over the centuries, the spice became a defining feature of many cultures, having a continued presence in art, literature, religion, and traditions.
This piece will examine how saffron has helped shape cultures and identities over centuries. We will explore the depiction of saffron in art, the symbolic meanings associated with the spice, and the beautiful traditions developed around its production.
Religious significance
In the ancient world, matters of health were directly linked with divine intervention. In many religions, saffron holds a symbolic meaning, signifying health, prosperity, and divinity. Since ancient times, saffron has been regarded as a sacred spice, elevated to divine status by Sumerian priests for its immense healing powers. Its use in religious rituals and ceremonies has been prevalent across various cultures.
Since antiquity, Persians have used saffron in their religious ceremonies. It was offered to their deities, used in their prayers, and sprinkled on funeral shrouds. Saffron was also used as an ink for writing scriptures and prayers to ward off evil spirits. Persians believed saffron to be auspicious, so the habit was later adopted to write royal decrees and other important documents.
The spice is also used in talismans in Spain, India, and Iran to protect the wearer against evil spirits and bad luck and to bring inner peace. The spice is also highly regarded in Hinduism and Buddhism; it symbolizes humility and renunciation and is used in various religious ceremonies, including Diwali.
Arts
The use of saffron in art is twofold: it was both a source of inspiration and a means of creation. Artists and artisans always coveted the petite flowers as a pleasing dye and pigment. What made saffron so attractive was primarily its unrivalled shade of gold. It was also relatively easy to use and did not require much treatment. This made it a gentle dye that could be used for textiles and cosmetics.
It was first used as a dye in 50,000-year-old prehistoric cave paintings in what is now Iraq. Later, saffron stigmas were used to achieve bold shades of yellow and gold, used in Minoan wall paintings and Persian rugs.
Saffron also features significantly in Indo-Persian, Mughal, and European illuminated manuscripts. In medieval times, artists in the East used saffron as a pigment for creating and enhancing various shades of yellow, green, orange, and gold. Persian artists also added saffron to protect their art against the corrosive effects of verdigris – a blue-green pigment based on copper. Traces of saffron can also be found in European works such as the Book of Kell.
Saffron has also been the subject of various works of art throughout history. The flower first appeared on potteries on the island of Crete, highlighting its significance within the Minoan culture. The fine crocus is depicted in more detail in the magnificent frescos that adorn the homes and palaces of Minoa. The saffron motif also appears on seals, plaques, and plastering across the English town of Saffron Walden, signifying the importance of the spice in the history and culture of the city.
Literature
Due to its elegant colour and rich history, saffron has been a popular subject in literature. The spice has inspired legends and stories in Greek mythology, most notably how the saffron flower came to be. Crocus, a handsome mortal, falls tragically in love with the nymph Smilax. But Smilax soon grows tired of Crocus and, notwithstanding his bothersome advances, turns Crocus into a purple flower with a burning heart.
Apart from the myths and legends, the use of saffron in literature is mainly metaphorical. In Persian literature, saffron symbolizes love, ecstasy, and preciousness. In the Epic of Kings, Ferdowsi, the renowned Persian poet, uses saffron to describe the distinct colour of Rakhsh, the main hero’s faithful stallion – “rose leaves that have been scattered upon a saffron ground”.
In Iliad, Homer uses saffron to describe the radiant Eos, the ancient goddess of dawn: “Now when Dawn in robe of Saffron was hastening from the streams of Oceanus, to bring light to mortals and immortals”. The spice is also mentioned in Song of Solomon 4:14, as it is mentioned among the sweet-smelling herbs.
Even the cultivation of saffron managed to find its way into art and literature. The arduous process was vividly depicted in the wall paintings of Minoa some 3,000 years ago before it was turned into rhyming poems by British saffron farmers and cultivators.
Festivals
Over the centuries, various cultural and religious festivals have been organized around saffron, signifying its importance to those cultures.
People from neighboring cities and towns flock to the Spanish city of Consuegra every autumn to participate in the “Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafran” festival. The 3-day event is filled with fun activities, including the procession of Dulcinea and her court ladies, all dressed in traditional medieval clothes. Saffron-infused dishes are prepared and presented to a panel of judges before visitors can taste the hearty local dishes. The activities follow with a fun saffron picking contest, a dance competition, and the start of the windmill for “grinding of peace and love”.
Heading south of Spain, every November, saffron enthusiasts gather in the small city of Taliouine in Morocco to celebrate the saffron harvest. Locals and tourists gather around to enjoy local dance performances and traditional music. At the same time, the sweet aroma of saffron fills the air and tints local dishes and drinks with its golden hue.
Every November, the people of Pampore in Kashmir prepare themselves for an event-filled 3-day celebration that centres around the cultivation of saffron. Visitors can enter lilac fields of saffron to help farmers pluck the delicate flowers. You can watch the locals dance beautifully to tunes of traditional music, sip the sweet and fragrant Kashmiri tea, and wander the local market for authentic Kashmiri saffron and handicrafts.
Every 12 years, the devout followers of Jain Dharma gather in Karnataka, India, for the famous anointment of the Gomateshwara Bahubali. Held since 981, worshippers ascend the purified scaffoldings to pour milk and saffron paste over the gigantic 17-meter statue by worshippers, followed by offerings of flowers, gold coins, and precious stones. The next ceremony is scheduled to take place in 2030.
The colour
What sets saffron apart is its colour. When bloomed, the red stigmas release a deep orange-yellow hue. The warm yellow hue evokes elegance and sophistication and is associated with wealth and status. Therefore, it was mainly used as a dye for royal garments, rugs, funeral shrouds in Persia, wedding robes in ancient Rome, and yellow-tinted jackets worn by Minoan women.
The colour also holds a symbolic meaning. The Buddhist monks wear saffron-tinted robes, which signifies spiritual commitment and enlightenment. The spice is also believed to bring love, blessing, and peacefulness. Therefore, it is used in various dishes prepared for ceremonies with immense cultural or religious significance, such as Nowruz in Iran and wedding and birthday celebrations in India.
The colour saffron also has a tremendous symbolic connotation in the Indian flag. The deep yellow-orange shade embodies the spirit of courage, sacrifice, renunciation, and selflessness, which are integral to Indian principles.
Lastly, we must uphold the everlasting impact of saffron on culture, art, tradition, and religion. The charming spice has significantly shaped cultural identities and belief systems across nations, capturing the hearts and imagination of people throughout history. The spice is indeed an irreplaceable and valuable component of cultural heritage worldwide. We hope this journey of unveiling the mystique of saffron has left you inspired and enriched.