Lovlies Delights
WELSH LOVE SPOONS – AN ANCIENT AND MODERN TRADITION
Lovelies Delights Boutique Eatery has chosen a Welsh love spoon for its part in the Flintshire Trail. The wood for this beautiful sculpture comes from an old lime tree in the village of Gellifor, near Ruthin. The tree’s close-grained, soft-textured wood is ideal for carving, and its blossoms were once used to make a calming tea during times of war. Like many lime trees, this tree had sprouted an untidy tangle of shoots near its base, where a local fox once made a den, taking shelter here until a storm brought the tree down in 2018.
Spoons, used by every culture worldwide, and indispensable in any kitchen, are one of the oldest tools in human history. Here in Wales, however, they have evolved beyond the utilitarian, to become decorative romantic gifts and cherished heirlooms, often passed down through the generations.
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Originally crafted by young men for their sweethearts at a time when working people were largely uneducated, and consequently unable to read or write, the elaborate designs, ranging from hearts and flowers to intricate chains and keys, tell stories which are deeply personal to the giver and the recipient. These spoons, a magical fusion of beautiful, natural materials, skilled craftsmanship, and the expression of heartfelt wishes and emotions, can be considered to be love poems fashioned from wood.
More recently, a new tradition for Welsh love spoons has become established. In 2003, the men of the Welsh rugby team were presented with a giant love spoon to take with them to Australia as a good luck token for their World Cup campaign, and it has been with them on every campaign since. It is the responsibility of the youngest member of the squad to carry the spoon with them to all events, and to explain its significance to anyone who asks about it. The design of this magnificent spoon depicts the Prince of Wales feathers, a dragon, a harp, and a daffodil, each image representing different aspects of Welsh nationhood and pride, and symbolising a love of Wales.
Crafted from the wood of a historic lime tree with its own unique story, Lovelies Delights love spoon continues a tradition that has transformed an everyday object into a symbol of love, commitment, and cultural identity. This love spoon serves not only as a connection to the past, but also as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape the country of Wales today.
MEANINGS AND SYMBOLISM OF WELSH LOVE SPOONS
Wheel: Supporting a loved one
Leaves: Love grows
Ball & Cage: Often thought to represent the desired number of children, but may also signify a man captivated by love
Stork and Baby: New baby
Ring: Together forever
Knot: The entwining of lives, together forever
Key and Keyhole: A home together, security
Horseshoe: Good luck and happiness
Hearts: True love
Harp: Traditional Welsh symbol
Flowers: Affection
Dragon: National symbol and strength, protection
Diamond: Wealth and good fortune
Daffodil: National flower of Wales, and a sign of growing love
Cross: Faith and marriage
Birds: Lovebirds
Bell: Wedding, wedding anniversary
Anchor: Security, and the desire to settle down
© Sonia Goulding, September 2024
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