Theatrum Botanicum, the Theatre of Plants or An Universal and Compleat Herball. 1640

This woodcut of Motherwort, or Cardiaea, comes from John Parkinson's "Theatrum Botanicum," an herbal compendium published in 1640. Parkinson's botanical theater stages more than just plants; it presents a drama of symbols. Motherwort has long been associated with women's health, a link stretching back to ancient Greek medicine. In the medieval era, Hildegard of Bingen recommended it for calming the nerves. Here, the plant is depicted with careful detail, its roots firmly grounded, leaves symmetrically arranged. But let us not confine ourselves to a mere botanical reading! Consider the heart-shaped leaves, evoking notions of the heart, love, and the maternal. This symbolism finds echoes in the art of the Renaissance, where heart motifs signified devotion and compassion. The image, therefore, becomes a conduit for deep, subconscious understanding of nurturing and care. Like the ouroboros, it resurfaces, each time colored by the anxieties and hopes of its era.