Whether it were used as a medicine, a decorative element, or a symbol within art, plants are both insight into the lives of medieval people as well as metaphors that help explain their moral, mythological, and religious beliefs.

Plants in addition to ivy often had medicinal qualities, and therefore were attributed to having magical values. Many botanical plants, flowers, and trees ranged widely in purpose in the medieval ages, so it is not surprising that individuals had a sort of fascination with plants like the ivy leaf. Many of these texts contained a moral connotation in describing whether something was poisonous or healthy, which were deeply rooted in religious context (DeHamel, 22-28). Medicinal texts explain the natural properties of plants, as well as their usages and means of cultivation. On the other hand, medicinal manuscripts help give us insight into the idea that plants were significantly used for cooking and medicine. Religious texts such as the Bible often contained other botanical imagery such as trees, fruits, and flowers to support morals, parables, or religious beliefs. Ivy is just one plant in which individuals of the medieval ages placed value upon. Ivy, as a symbol in illuminated manuscripts like the French Psalterium, represents life, eternity – even immortality. The ivy plant presents itself as a common visual symbol used to decorate medieval manuscripts (Crampton, 'English Ivy Symbolism'). Historical Symbolism and Significance of Ivy: Originating from and beginning with with the French Psalterium that guides this show, this show will explore ivy illuminations that decorate manuscript pages and their contextual purpose.

The Ivy Plant: A Symbol of Medieval Life, Beliefs, and Art

Medieval leaf