Stories and Legends
THE LEGEND OF THE MOOR'S HEADS
According to legend, during the Arab domination in Sicily, a beautiful girl lived in Palermo, in the Arab quarter Al Hàlisah (today Kalsa). While, as usual, she was taking care of the plants on her balcony, she was noticed by a Moro who immediately fell in love with her, making no secret of it.
The girl, struck by so much feeling, reciprocated the love of the young man.
Unfortunately, one day he discovered that the Moor had a wife and children in his land.
Betrayed and offended in honor, she waited for the night to implement her revenge.
As soon as he fell asleep, he killed him, cut off his head, made a vase where he planted some basil and put it on display outside on the balcony.
Only in this way would the Moor remain with her forever.
Since then the custom of building terracotta vases, "graste" in the shape of a dark brown.
THE MEANING OF PINE CONES
The fruit of the pine has always and in different civilizations contained within itself the symbolic meanings of life force, immortality, divinity, linked to the tree that generates it, together with those of fertility and regenerative force for the seeds it contains.
Frequently represented in Roman art, in the Christian age the pine cone was often carved on Romanesque capitals and archivolts, eventually becoming the emblem of speculative and philosophical elevation.
There are still evident traces of its translated values in Sicily: the pine cone not only often dominates the pillars of the entrance gates, but is used as an ornament of every size and material.
Symbol of prosperity and good luck, it is a very welcome object to keep in one's homes or commercial offices and is often chosen as a wedding favor for important events.
