My continued fascination with the American South has led me to the aesthetically pleasing tradition of bottle trees. Though they primarily function as garden ornamentation today, their original purpose, as brought to the U.S. by African slaves, was to catch evil spirits.
“Glass bottle trees originated in Northern Africa during a period when superstitious people believed that a genii or imp could be captured in a glass bottle. Legend had it that empty glass bottles placed outside the home could ‘capture’ roving (usually evil) spirits at night, and the spirit would be destroyed the next day in the sunshine. This practice was taken to Europe and North America by African slaves. While Europeans adapted them into hollow glass spheres known as “witch balls” the practice of hanging bottles in trees became widespread in the Southern states of North America, where they continue to be used today as colorful garden ornaments.” [Via Squidoo]
There’s a house in my neighborhood that has the prettiest bottle tree in their backyard! They also have some hanging from a pergola. Every time I pass by I stare mercilessly with longing.
xo
Kelly
Please tell me you watch the show Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations. If not, you must look it up. The reruns are playing right now where I live, but if they’re not airing where you are they might have them on DVD at the library. Please please look it up.
Oh, that sounds amazing! I will most definitely look it up. What channel is it on?
I had to come back & tell you that I watched the show last night & they showed these amazing mosaics made out of bugs! Like a portrait of Abe Lincoln made out of something like 20,000 moths & beetles.
Here’s the website: http://rarevisionsroadtrip.com/aboutrv.shtml It’s on public television 43 KCSM, but the channel is probably different in your area. I saw some stuff on YouTube. Not sure if anyone has posted full episodes. It’s really worth looking up. Most of the artists are these rad old people living in small towns, just making stuff up. Some of it is just ok, but some of it is mind blowing. You have to overlook the corny Arlo Guthrie impersonating narrator, though. I hope you can find it!
they have one of those at the old city cemetery here in lynchburg, va. at first i just though it was a neat display, but then i read the sign beside it and felt like an idiot.