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apoio:
Legend has it that witches used the tuberous roots of orchids which resemble
human testicles to prepare magic potions: fresh ones to promote love, and
dried ones to provoke passion.
17th century herbalists called them Satyrias, in reference to the greek mythology
god Satyros, who lived in forests and had short horns and goat legs and feet.
In Portuguese, the word sátiro is also a synonym for debauched and
libidinous. According to a legend, Orchis, son of a satyr and a nymph, was
murdered by the Bacchantes, the priestesses of Bacchus, god of wine. In answer
to his father's prayers, Orchis was changed into a flower that now bears his
name, the orchid.
Since Middle Age, orchids are popular for their supposed aphrodisiac properties.
Special concoctions of the tuberous roots and fleshy leaves of some species
were considered as sexual stimulants and even as helping to produce male babies.
That is how they became a synonym of fertility and virility.
© Copyright 2002 by Instituto de Pesquisas
Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro
