We left Sicily today with greater appreciation of this beautiful island. But we had the morning to take one last look around, and this post contains some additional information.
The pine cone has many seeds and is a symbol of fertility. It comes in many bright colors and is used as decoration. Some put them on the corners of the beds. The pine cone can also mean hospitality and riches. There are so many seeds that it is impossible to count.
Moor’s Heads are a symbol of Sicily and are found everywhere as decoration or for sale. Here are two legends and both are gruesome:
Legend #1: During the Arab rule of Sicily, there lived a beautiful woman in Palermo who loved to tend the plants on her balcony. One day, a Moor noticed her and fell deeply in love with her. The man declared his feelings for her, and the two were swept away by desire. When the young woman learned that her lover would soon return to the East, where a wife and children awaited him, she was driven mad with jealousy and betrayal. The girl killed the Moor while he slept and cut off his head and used it as a vase, in which she planted basil, watering it with her tears.Legend #2: The heads represent the impossible love of a young couple. The girl was Sicilian and of noble origin, while her lover was a young Arab. When they were discovered, the girl’s family punished them both by beheading them. The heads were turned into vases and hung as a warning from a balcony. The ceramic heads are made in pairs in memory of the two murdered young lovers.An accordion player came up to Rob and me while we were enjoying a juice and pastry in the town square. He said, “Ahem” several times. We relented to this jovial man and gave him a coin.
A Rick Steves tour exceeded our expectations. The group was very compatiable and the pace was good. The accomodations were excellent with a great type of variety. Best of all, the tour guide, Andrea, was group focused and engaging. ctiviies, the explanations.,We will definitely be looking forward to another one in the future.
Leave a Reply