pretoria high school for girls: iris - pretoria, south africa

In Greek mythology, Iris is the messenger of the gods who, cloaked in a robe of dewdrops reflecting the stars, communicates messages via the rainbow, the bridge between heaven and earth. The iris is the symbol of communication and the name itself means “rainbow”.

Among the duties of the Greek Goddess Iris was that of leading the souls of dead women to the Elysian fields. In token of that faith the Greeks planted purple irises on the graves of women.

The popularity of irises over the centuries has been demonstrated in the still life paintings of the Dutch masters and more recently has inspired Vincent van Gogh.

The Fleur-de-lis was a conventional form which predated its association with Kings of France. There are various legends of how the iris came to represent the French monarchy. In 1147 Louis VII of France adopted the purple iris as his standard shortly before setting out for his ill-fated crusade. The Fleur-de-lis became the symbol on the banner of France for the next 600 years.

Painting:
Lorainne Beaton Grade 11
Research:
Rosali Kruger Grade 11

Cultivated by Egyptians both the Greeks and the Romans used the rhizomes for medicinal purposes and in perfumery.

In Germany the orris root which is made from iris used to be suspended in beer barrels to keep beer from going stale and in France it was hung in wine caskets to enrich the bouquet of the wine. England used the orris root flavored a soft drink that was made with honey and ginger sold on the streets. To the Japanese the shape of the iris symbolizes heroism and royalty.

For a long time the orris root was responsible for making social interaction bearable. It was used as a perfume for linen.
Several pieces of dried orris root strung on a string would be plunged into boiling water with clothes. Orris root was also important to the new high hair fashions that at one time towered two feet of the ladies foreheads. They were powered with iris root which was added as a perfume to flour and starch.