3 replies to this topic

[Abi]

The Judas tree, the harbinger of spring, belongs to İstanbul as to no other city in the world, and it has started to bloom, changing the color of İstanbul into a quintessential purple. Bosporus seems more beautiful with every spring.(PHOTO: AA, İBRAHİM YAKUT)

22 April 2012 / AYSU OTAĞ , İSTANBUL

İstanbul’s Bosporus is more beautiful and stunning than ever right now, as Judas trees have started to bloom and change the city’s color into a quintessential purple.

The Judas tree, the harbinger of spring, belongs to İstanbul as to no other city in the world.....
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[sunny]

Mr Sunny, Abi, another friend and I went to the market at Sığacık, near Seferihiser today and on the road over the hills between Urla and Bademler we saw lots of Judas trees in blossom and also lots of bright yellow broom. There were also a lot of white and pink rock roses is flower too. Everything looked wonderful as well as some spectacular views.

[dande]

I understand the origin of the common name of Cercis siliquastrum, the Judas Tree, is debatable. However, suggestions include:

- Judas is a corruption of Judea, as the tree was once common in the Judean hills
- It was, as the article suggested, the tree from which Judas Iscariot hanged himself
- The flowers and pods hanging from the stem represent this suicidal act.

The tree has been the subject of a number of television programmes including Jonathon Creek, Ellery Queen and, believe it or not, Doctor Who, and a celebrated novel written in 1961 by A J Cronin.

The Judas Tree was also the title of the last ballet created by Sir Kenneth MacMillan before he died. It was reviewed in The Independent as possibly “the most barbarous ballet of all times”!

[Abi]

The things I have learnt on this forum are amazing. Thanks Dande for a bit more knowledge.