Rue Flower Meaning: Symbol of Regret and Grace

The rue plant, botanically known as Ruta graveolens, is a shrub-like herb recognized for its blue-green foliage and potent aroma. Native to the Balkan Peninsula, it has been cultivated for centuries in gardens across the world for its ornamental qualities and role in traditional practices. This long history has imbued the plant with a complex and often contradictory symbolic legacy, with meanings that have shifted across different cultures and eras.

The Symbolism of Regret and Sorrow

The most direct symbolic link associated with rue comes from its name. The common name “rue” is phonetically identical to the verb “to rue,” which means to feel a deep sense of regret or sorrow over a past event. This connection, though a coincidence of language development, has cemented the plant’s association with remorse in the popular imagination.

The leaves of Ruta graveolens have an intensely bitter taste, which is seen as a physical manifestation of the emotional bitterness that accompanies regret and repentance. Because of this strong association, giving someone a sprig of rue could be interpreted as a message of disdain or a pointed wish for them to repent for a wrongdoing.

For centuries, the plant has been used to signify contrition and grief. In one historical account, a jilted woman threw rue at her former lover on his wedding day, explicitly wishing that he would “rue this day as long as you live.” This act showcases the cultural understanding of the plant as an emblem of sorrow and the painful consequences of one’s actions.

A Charm for Protection and Purity

In stark contrast to its association with regret, rue is also widely known as the “herb of grace.” This name stems from its history as a symbol of virtue, purity, and divine blessing. For centuries, it was used as a protective charm to ward off evil spirits, witchcraft, and the malevolent power of the “evil eye.”

This belief in its protective qualities extended from the spiritual to the physical realm. During periods of widespread disease, such as the plague, people would carry sprigs of rue, believing its strong scent could fend off illness. English judges once carried it into courtrooms to protect themselves from “gaol fever,” a common ailment among prisoners. The plant’s use as an insect repellent is thought to be the practical origin for its reputation of preventing “evil spells.”

The Catholic Church incorporated rue into its rituals, with priests using bunches of it to sprinkle holy water on the congregation to cleanse and protect them from evil. This practice directly linked the “herb of grace” to acts of purification and consecration. The use of rue in a bride’s wedding bouquet was also common, symbolizing virtue and purity.

Rue in Cultural and Literary History

The dual symbolism of rue is captured vividly in cultural and literary works. Perhaps the most famous example comes from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. When the grief-stricken Ophelia hands out flowers, she says, “There’s rue for you; and here’s some for me: we may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays.” This line encapsulates the plant’s two-sided meaning, acknowledging both regret and the potential for grace.

Rue also appears in the Bible, where its significance is tied to themes of judgment and faithfulness. In the Gospel of Luke, it is mentioned in a passage criticizing the Pharisees for tithing herbs like mint and rue while neglecting justice and the love of God. This reference connects the plant to concepts of religious duty and moral reckoning.

In Lithuania, rue is a national herb featured in folk songs, where it symbolizes virginity and maidenhood. This use highlights the plant’s connection to purity, which stands alongside its darker association with regret.