I had in mind talking about this for a long time, so this is quite convenient.
In many places around Europe the yew has being associated with religion and spirituality, specially in areas where Celts had a strong presence. In Northern Spain, particularly in Asturias, yews are common near churches and other gatering places. There are many theories as to why this tree was so widely worshiped: its hard wood, the fact that his sap is red colored and, of course, being poisonous. This last two characteristics made it being really strongly associated with death, as it can kill and at the same time bleed like a human.
The similarities between weirwoods and yews are many, and is not strange to think, as Aerio suggested, that they had recieved a similar treatment (on a smaller scale). The cool part would be that they migth have survived the Andal attempts to wipe out weirwoods south of The Neck, and instead, just like in Asturias, assimilate their meaning and functions into the new religion and cultural beliefs. That's why I think it would be cool to have some rural septs at the foothills of the Dornish Marches, or hidden in the Westerlands and the Stormlands, next to very old and very big yews. It would be a classic example of a repurposed holy place by a new belief system tying to impose itself.
Also on San Xuan/Juan (Summer Solstice) each village that celebrates the festivity does it near or under the local yew (except the big bonefires, of course). It's also widely belived that if you take a nap under one you will die (which might be kind of true lol).
Texu (yew in Asturian) of Bermiego. It's the oldest in Spain. There are almost 300 yews catalogued and protected in Asturias due to their cultural significance
Texu of Santa Coloma/Colamba. There's an altar built on the side facing the churchIn many places around Europe the yew has being associated with religion and spirituality, specially in areas where Celts had a strong presence. In Northern Spain, particularly in Asturias, yews are common near churches and other gatering places. There are many theories as to why this tree was so widely worshiped: its hard wood, the fact that his sap is red colored and, of course, being poisonous. This last two characteristics made it being really strongly associated with death, as it can kill and at the same time bleed like a human.
The similarities between weirwoods and yews are many, and is not strange to think, as Aerio suggested, that they had recieved a similar treatment (on a smaller scale). The cool part would be that they migth have survived the Andal attempts to wipe out weirwoods south of The Neck, and instead, just like in Asturias, assimilate their meaning and functions into the new religion and cultural beliefs. That's why I think it would be cool to have some rural septs at the foothills of the Dornish Marches, or hidden in the Westerlands and the Stormlands, next to very old and very big yews. It would be a classic example of a repurposed holy place by a new belief system tying to impose itself.
Also on San Xuan/Juan (Summer Solstice) each village that celebrates the festivity does it near or under the local yew (except the big bonefires, of course). It's also widely belived that if you take a nap under one you will die (which might be kind of true lol).
Texu (yew in Asturian) of Bermiego. It's the oldest in Spain. There are almost 300 yews catalogued and protected in Asturias due to their cultural significance
Texu of Santibánez/Santibanes. As the ones listed before, it has more than a thousand years
Texu of Sotiello
Texu of Salas. It's in the middle of a cementery still on use.
Last edited:
