How specifically, does a folksong published by a famous Scottish poet in the late 18th century relate to an ornamental plant known for its involvement in a certain religious ritual for honoring the gods?

wendypj

It's a long shot but here we go. Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne which is a traditional song sung at New Year. The Golden Shower Tree is an ornamental tree whose flowers are used in the Malayalan festival of Vishu which is marks their New Year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishu Apr 25 07, 8:13 PM

peasypod

A very long shot, but no, sorry m'dear. The 'ritual' is something that reminds me of what I used to do as a child when I saw a staircase. By the way, the NY thing may have a slight connection in a 'festive' kind of way. Apr 25 07, 8:18 PM

mctavish99

Perhaps this will be a slightly "shorter shot" Robert Burns also wrote the words for "(Love is like) a Red, Red Rose" Roses feature in both Greek and Roman ceremonies honouring the "Mother of all the gods" - and as this reference shows, http://www.islandrose.net/aboutflowers/articles/md_md.htm those ancient ceremonies have evolved into the modern form of Mothers' Day. Apr 26 07, 1:29 AM

peasypod

Nice stab, but nope, I wasn't in the habit of throwing rose petals down the stairs when I was a child... Stick with Burns, though, and when you get it, I'll shout the round of drinks. Oh, and looking in a tropical scene will get the plant. Apr 26 07, 1:44 AM

peasypod

Looks like I'll have to do some NAME dropping in order for you guys to get LUCKY in the 50th state of the United States. Apr 29 07, 4:11 AM

peasypod

Last chance Frankie.... If I mention hula skirts and Barleycorn, does that help? Ok, I know it was a long shot but I think I can pull it off. May 03 07, 2:50 PM

gmackematix

Is "Comin' Thro' The Rye" anything to do with this? May 14 07, 12:34 AM

peasypod

Somebody go along the John Barleycorn road.... May 15 07, 5:16 AM

peasypod

If this isn't done soon I'll have to let the Ti Plant out of the bag... May 23 07, 8:07 PM

queproblema

Could it be this simple? That liquor can be made from both the root of the ti plant and from barley? http://www.primitiveways.com/ki.html http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/rburns/bl-rburns-johnabarley.htm Hhhh, probably not.... Oh, and that they can be used in the religions of their respectives locales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barleycorn Oh well, at least you know we're still alive and kicking out here... May 23 07, 10:24 PM

peasypod

Well done qp, and a Golden Pineapple for you, but to be technical the religious ritual was lava sledding. http://www.answers.com/topic/ti-1 May 24 07, 9:03 PM

queproblema

Dear me, to be perfectly fair I should return the pineapple. By the time you get it back it should be about ready to make into chicha. I totally don't get the lava sledding. How is it or the ti plant related to John Barleycorn? The ti plant leaves are only used to line the sleds. Way down the page here--http://www.realestatemauihawaii.com/newsletters/apr2003nl.php May 25 07, 12:08 AM