SPRING'S ARRIVAL MARKED BY LILAC BLOSSOMS AND LEGENDARY FRAGRANCE

Lilac blossoms serve as nature's proclamation that spring has officially arrived. With the onset of mid-spring, most lilac trees and bushes burst into vibrant blooms, impossible to ignore once they unfold.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

Sporting hues ranging from purple to white, these flowers emit a delightful, potent fragrance that wafts through the air, reaching remarkable distances.

The distinct aroma of lilacs, carried by the warm spring breeze, brings joy even on the dreariest of days. It's a scent that captivates and comforts, a prelude to the season's renewal.

Lilacs traditionally bloom before Easter, a timing intertwined with a legend.

According to folklore, as Mary, the mother of Jesus, wandered in despair after His crucifixion, she sought solace beneath a tree laden with foliage. Exhausted, she fell asleep, and as she slumbered, the tree shed its leaves, gently covering her. Upon awakening to warmth, she found herself blanketed in leaves and witnessed the tree, now bare, miraculously blooming again. In gratitude, she blessed the tree with words: "Be blessed and fragrant forever."

Thus, the tradition of bringing lilac blooms into homes for Easter was born, symbolizing renewal and the enduring essence of faith and hope.