| Have you ever wondered why you often find | | | | Mourners at funerals of the ancient world would |
| cypress trees planted near cemeteries? Certainly | | | | always carry branches of the cypress tree to |
| they are beautiful trees. Unfortunately these | | | | show their grief. In mythology, the goddess of |
| evergreen trees have been associated with death | | | | love named Aphrodite carried a branch from the |
| and mourning for over two thousand years. The | | | | tree to show she was in mourning when her |
| cypress has a sad history. | | | | beloved Andonis died. |
| The ancient Greeks and Romans believed the | | | | The story of how the cypress tree became the |
| cypress tree was the first tree the dead would | | | | tree of death is told in Greek and Roman |
| see when they arrived to the Underworld. This | | | | mythology. It started with a young man named |
| tree was associated with death. It was a symbol | | | | Cyparissus and the god Apollo. They were close |
| of eternal death; because once the cypress tree | | | | friends, some say lovers. Apollo gave Cyparissus |
| was cut it would never grow again. | | | | a beautiful stag. Cyparissus accidentally killed the |
| The ancient Greeks and Romans used the wood | | | | stag. He was so devastated and full of remorse, |
| to make coffins. The ancient Egyptians also used | | | | he begged the gods to let his grief endure for all |
| the wood from the cypress tree to make | | | | eternity. The gods grew tired of his weeping and |
| wooden cases for the mummies and coffins. It | | | | granted him that last wish. The gods transformed |
| was told the wood from this tree was not liable | | | | Cyparissus into a cypress. This tree would always |
| for insect attacks. | | | | be associated with mourning and eternal death, |
| In the ancient world they believed the tree had a | | | | but also of the immortal soul. |
| powerful protective force. The cypress was | | | | If this is getting too sad and gloomy, you may |
| planted near graves to protect the deceased | | | | want to turn to Asia. In the West the tree |
| from evil powers. As the soul was considered to | | | | represents mourning and death. In China the |
| be immortal, it was quite important to protect the | | | | cypress tree symbolizes good health and a long |
| souls of the dead from wicked spells of potential | | | | life. |
| revenge seekers. | | | | |