Why is Honey Associated with Love?
- In ancient Greek and Egyptian times, our ancestors believed that honey was a sacred gift from the gods
- Aphrodite and Cleopatra believed honey made them more alluring
- The concept of a honeymoon has its roots in ancient wedding and fertility-related moon rituals
- St Valentine is widely recognised as the Patron Saint of Beekeepers!
It’s February, which means that love is in the air, wherever we look. Today, Valentine’s Day can feel quite commercialised. As soon as shops and supermarkets have cleared away the Christmas stock, the shelves are filled with cute teddy bears, heart-shaped chocolates and red, everywhere.
But perhaps we should look to the humble honey pot to discover how love was declared in the times of our ancient ancestors.
Honey, Love and Valentines
Honey has always been associated with courtship, love, desire and romance. From the word ‘honeymoon’ to calling our partner honey, it’s always been sweet in all senses of the word.
As far back as Ancient Greece, our ancestors believed honey to be a divine substance and a sacred gift from the gods to protect love and fertility. Even Aphrodite herself, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, passion and procreation, is thought to have anointed herself with honey before meeting each lover, to ensure her skin was as irresistible as her allure.
Ancient Egyptians got in on the act, too. They also believed that honey was a gift from the gods, in the form of tears shed by the sun god, Ra, and gave it as a sweet gift to new couples to ensure their love was as sweet as nectar. They also gave honey as a symbol of enduring love and fertility to couples during marriage ceremonies.
Plus, of course, Cleopatra was renowned for her milk and honey baths, to increase her allure, too. Mistakenly known as a femme fatale, Cleopatra was then celebrated for her intelligence and political acumen, with honey-soft skin as a bonus!
The Honey Legend Continues
For centuries, honey was so rare that it was reserved for special occasions like weddings and was considered the ultimate in luxurious, presumably expensive gifts.
Legend has it that even Cupid was enamoured by honey, by dipping his arrows in the sweet stuff to ensure each romance he endorsed was ‘sweet’.
Even the term honeymoon originates from ancient Norse traditions. Newly married couples were sent off to enjoy a daily dose of mead, a fermented alcoholic drink made using honey that dates back 4,000 years. Newlyweds enjoyed a month-long mead drinking tradition to coincide with a full cycle of the moon, to encourage good fertility and long-lasting happiness
And finally, how about this little-known fact – St Valentine himself is widely recognised as the Patron Saint of Beekeepers! As well as overseeing lovers and married couples, this versatile saint was responsible for ensuring the sweetness of honey and protecting beekeepers.
Sweets for My Sweet, Sugar for My Honey
Apparently, we humans have used the term ‘honey’ when addressing loved ones since the 14th Century. So, what better way to sweeten your date this Valentine’s than with a luxurious pot of high-quality, active healing honey?
Choose from Jarrah or Marri Necta & Hive honey, both of which are produced exclusively in Western Australia by bees free to forage on eucalyptus trees that have a very short flowering window.
Jarrah honey has a smooth, delicate caramel flavour, while Marri has a milder, sweeter flavour. Both are rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds, and deserve a place at your kitchen table this February.
