At a glance
- Common name
- Rosemary
- Botanical name
- Salvia rosmarinus / Rosmarinus officinalis
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Parts mentioned in historical records
- Needles, leafy sprigs
- Traditional correspondences
- Sun; Fire
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Historical record
Hailing from the Mediterranean ('Dew of the Sea' from Latin 'ros marinus'). Burned in French hospitals (alongside juniper) during epidemics to cleanse air. Renaissance scholars wore rosemary garlands to enhance mental acuity.
Folklore and mythology
Tucked under pillows to dispel nightmares; woven into bridal crowns to guarantee marital fidelity; strewn upon coffins and graves as an emblem of eternal remembrance ('There's rosemary, that's for remembrance').
Greek students wove garlands into their hair during exams. Associated with Aphrodite/Venus, who was said to be draped in rosemary as she rose from sea foam; later associated with the Virgin Mary turning its flowers blue. For related folklore, see the rue field guide.
Tradition: Greco-Roman & Christian Lore Associated figures: Aphrodite (Venus) & Virgin Mary
Mystical correspondences
Correspondences vary by tradition and source.
Is rosemary safe to use?
Historical and spiritual associations do not establish that Rosemary is safe or effective. Do not use this page as instructions for ingesting, smoking, inhaling, or applying Rosemary.
For current safety information, check a health authority or ask a qualified clinician or pharmacist, especially during pregnancy or lactation, while taking medication, or with an allergy or health condition.
Exposure note: EPA indoor-particle guidance says burning can add particles and advises ventilation. ASPCA plant entries address ingestion, not smoke exposure. See the sourced burning, pet and pregnancy lookup; neither source clears this plant as safe to burn.