The Legend of the Edelweiss

Jamie's parents live next-door to the widow of a military officer.  She, and her husband, spent a number of years stationed in Germany.  When she found out that we were traveling to Edelweiss, she immediately came over to educate us on the legend of the flower.   

 

According to the legend, the edelweiss grew at the peaks of steep and dangerous mountains.  It was said that when a man really loved a woman, he would brave the danger of the mountain to obtain this outward sign of affection; many men would risk their lives in an attempt to accomplish this feat.  The edelweiss emblem can be found on art and souvenirs, all over the region. The flower symbolizes love, bravery, strength and dedication.  

We loved the story, and it meant even more to us after the sweet widow shared it with such enthusiasm.  We found the perfect edelweiss souvenir to take back to her, and Jamie braved the mountain to find the perfect edelweiss necklace for me.

The mural above was painted on the outside wall of our hotel, and the pictures below are of the spacious lobby. 

And the following pictures are also of the outside of our hotel... 

And if you're like me, the word edelweiss immediately made you think of the lyrics by Rogers and Hammerstein.  This blog post cannot be complete without those lyrics, as I spent at least three-fourths of our waking hours in Germany singing them over, and over again. 

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss

Bless my homeland forever.