Oak leaf in nature, design, heraldry and literature

The leaves of the trees, if not the evergreen tropical plants, have the property to blossom each year from the kidneys, and with the onset of the autumn to turn yellow, wither, dying, and fall off. Oak is no exception. Its beautiful shiny oblong-ovate leaves with sinusoid-shaped carved edges serve as a tree for the synthesis of solar energy, which is necessary for growth and life. It is not a secret to anyone that a plant devoid of ultraviolet rays is dying.

In autumn the tree itself, as it were, "hibernates" - all life processes in it slow down. Leaves, which in spring and summer "worked" on the oak, now become unnecessary.

And to maintain their vital functions requires water, trace elements. The moisture evaporates from the surface of the sheet. And in the winter, the oak tree is so difficult to extract water from the earth. The tree therefore "falls asleep" to save moisture.

In addition, the approaching cold can freeze the fluid found in the cells of the leaves. Nature has provided everything. That is why before the onset of winter, trees are discarded.

"Lukomorye oak has a green oak" ... With these words, childhood is connected with many, a fabulously magical journey into the world of Pushkin's poetry. And what other associations may arise in connection with this tree?

The beauty of the form, which has an oak leaf, eternally attracts people - there is something inexpressibly beautiful, wonderful, fascinating in it. That's why designers use this image so often in their creations. For example, in stores often labels and price tags resemble the shape of a carved sheet of oak. Perfume perfume bottles are available in the form of acorns with leather leaves. This type of jewelry is in demand.

In the design of rooms, too, often use a sheet of oak as the main element. It can be seen on wallpaper, ornaments, cutting boards, as a picture of curtains and on furniture upholstery, on cast-iron ornaments. This is probably due to the fact that this very tree is a symbol of strength, durability, stability, power.

Creating their magnificent models, couturiers also pay attention to the sheet of oak. A figure that mimics it is used to combine combined clothing. For example, the top part of the coat is made of a sand-colored drape, and the bottom is made of dark brown.

The joint of two colors is done not in a straight line, but as if the dark brown oak leaves are superimposed on a beige background. It turns out a beautiful, non-trivial thing, especially if the model has other "symbolic" details: wooden buttons, pockets, brooch-acorn.

Very beautiful applications on the fabric in the form of oak leaves, decorating clothes and tablecloths, bedspreads on furniture and beds, towels and kitchen aprons.

These were all practical-life associations. And what about the other sphere of our existence? For example, what is the symbol of the oak branch?

Even in the Holy Scripture this tree was mentioned as a symbol of God's justice, and the leaf of the oak was a sign of the fullness of the Christian life. In the US, such leaflets are used as elements of awards, as well as symbols in the military distinctions.

In Germany, the oak is recognized as a national tree. The hardness of the wood and the characteristic shape of the leaf symbolize immortality, steadfastness, inviolability, unity. No wonder both in the state symbols, and in coins, and in monuments, and in heraldry, and in the orders of Germany, oak twigs, acorns and leaves themselves are used. The epoch of romanticism ascribed to this tree also loyalty.

And how many literary works have this symbolic name? Today, everyone knows the book "Oak Leaf" by the author of Antonin Petrovich Ladinsky, whose hero is Valerian Bochkin, LI Lermontov's lyric poem "Leaf".

Andzhei Shipulsky and Zbigniew Safian - Polish writers who created under the pseudonym "Zbykha" a series of adventure stories, tell in their works about the exploits of Hans Kloss. This brave scout produced in the terrible years of World War II shocking information about the fascists. And it is also very symbolic: the "Germanic" symbolism and the name of the operation "Oak Leaf".

What else comes to mind when the word "oak branch" is pronounced? Of course, the healing properties of this "king of the arboreal world." One smell in an oak forest can lift a mood, purify a soul, instill in it ecstasy, optimism, a thirst for life.

Brooms from the branches of this powerful wood healer from time immemorial used by Russian people in the baths, expelling the ill and ailments. The substances contained in oak leaves and essential oils have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, the state of the epithelium, and prevent the increase in pressure. Decoction of oak bark stop bleeding gums, diarrhea.

That's how much you can learn about the usual oak leaf, if you are curious and attentive. And if you also connect your imagination, you can come up with many amazing tales, the heroes of which will be the leaves of the amazing tree - the oak, tell these magical stories to the children and invite them to embody it in their drawings.