the tree on which the devil hanged his mother

[swedeheart]

I was reading a Wikipedia article about the rowan tree where it says "It was said in England that this was the tree on which the Devil hanged his mother". There is a reference, a book from 1985, but I would have thought I'd be able to find "the story" on the internet. As I can't find much about it (just people quoting the quote) I'm starting to wonder if it isn't so much a tale as a saying? Something like "older than dirt", perhaps? Or something. Just trying to make sense of why such an intriguing tale is nowhere to be found. Anyone know anything about it?

[naomi24]

I can't find anything either, swedeheart. However, if you think about it, the devil was supposedly a creation of God, and therefore he wouldn't have had a mother. I think it might just by a saying. Shame though - what an intriguing myth that could have made!

If you ever find anything else, please leave a message for me in Religion & Spirituality - a sub-section of Society & Culture. I'd love to know more.

[swedeheart]

Yup naomi I didn't take it to be "adapted from a true story" ;-) I'm just interested in mythology and folklore. I'll do my very best to remember your interest in this if ever I do find anything more out.

[chadad]

The Rowan ( Or mountain Ash ), was supposed to posses magic powers.
A club made from it was credited with the same powers that a Silver bullet has when dealing with vampires or werewolves.
It was also very effective for keeping witches in their place.

[swedeheart]

Oh that explains why there's a species of Rowan on the street where I live;-) Thanks chadad, that was interesting!

[SolCannibal]

Well, i did find something that might help here:
http://en.wikipedia.o...he_Three_Golden_Hairs

http://www.surlalunef...29devilgoldhairs.html

[SolCannibal]

Well, i'm two years late for an answer but did find something here:
http://en.wikipedia.o...he_Three_Golden_Hairs

http://www.surlalunef...29devilgoldhairs.html

The idea that the devil's mother and grandmother might be confused by others - or that they are one and the same, is terribly in all kind of wrong ways.