ANZAC Day is the most important national day for Australia and New Zealand. It commemorates the anniversary our two nations fought side by side together during World War 1. It is a day which brings together people, old and young to remember the hardships and spirit of mateship.
Growing on the wild plains of the Gallipoli Peninsula, where many ANZAC soldiers lost their lives, rosemary was everywhere. This aromatic herb soon became a significant part of our ANZAC tradition. It has taken on another dimension as a symbol of remembrance and is worn during today’s ANZAC day marches across the country.
While it is a prominent symbol of remembrance, rosemary has a history of being a super memory power.
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember…..” Ophelia says in Act IV, Scene 5 in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The herb is symbolic for the improvement of memory since ancient times when the Greeks and Romans used it to aid weak memories. Throughout history it has shown increasingly to have positive effects on brain performance and cognitive ability.
Today, the ANZAC tradition continues where you will find rosemary popular at funerals. Mourners continue to carry it as an offering to departed loved ones where rosemary sprigs are laid upon graves as a sign of remembrance.