Bog violet

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The bog violet is a name given to several species of flower in temperate regions.

[edit] Superstition

A love philtre, the woman who gives it goes upon her left knee and plucks nine roots of the bog violet (mòthan), and knots them together, forming them into a cuach or ring. It is placed on the mouth of a girl to make the man who kisses her into her bondsman, under parturient women to ensure safe delivery, and is carried by wayfarers to safeguard them on their journeys. If a man makes a miraculous escape, it is said of him:

Dh'òl a bainne na bò bà a dhith am mòthan

"He drank the milk of the guileless cow that ate the mòthan"

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from “Dwelly’s [Scottish] Gaelic Dictionary” (1911) mòthan