Hemp is a plant that is growing in popularity during the last few years, mostly due to the rise of the CBD industry and the hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products that the news, celebrities, and general public are buzzing about.
However, the plant is being used by humans for over 10,000 years already!
There are over 50,000 different uses of hemp in many different industries like body care, foods, textiles, paper, industrial textiles and even building materials!
Symbolism of the Hemp
Hemp plant symbolises love, peace, healing, vision and meditation.
Etymological Meaning of the Hemp
It is not known where exactly does the name ‘Hemp’ come from, as many different civilizations used similar words to describe the plant.
Dutch people used the word ‘hennep’, Greeks used ‘kannabis’, Germans used ‘hanf’ while Norwegian and Danish people used the word ‘hamp’.
The Hemp Facts
Here are some of the most interesting facts about hemp plant:
- Hemp can grow in almost any country in the World. It doesn’t even need pesticides.
- All parts of the hemp plant can be used to produce something. There is no waste.
- There are over 50,000 different known uses of hemp.
- There was a car that ran on hemp. It was invented by Henry Ford in 1941.
- Hemp and Marijuana are members of the same Cannabis Sativa family.
- The main difference between the two plants is the level of THC. Marijuana contains twenty times more THC than hemp. Sometimes the difference is even bigger.
- Hemp has been used in Chernobyl to reduce the radioactive effects after the nuclear disaster that happened on April 26, 1986.
- Some of the most famous artworks in the history were painted on canvases that were produced from hemp. Artists like Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Van Gogh used hemp canvases.
Meaningful Botanical Characteristics of the Hemp
In the northern hemisphere, the best time to plant hemp is between March and May.
In the southern hemisphere, the best time for planting hemp is between September and November.
Hemp grows fast. It usually takes only three to four months for hemp to fully develop.
All parts of the plant are harvested and used and it is considered as a high-yield crop.
Hemp Color Meanings
Hemp comes only in green color which has its own specific meaning and symbolism.
According to WebMD, the green color enhances your positive feelings while it also weakens the negative emotions.
It is believed that green color has positive effects on the balance of our heart and kidneys too.
So it is no surprise that waiting rooms for performers on TV stations and in theaters are usually colored in green in order to help people to relieve stress.
The green color is also often associated with luck, as with four-leaf clover, and it is used to indicate success, completion and other positive information too, especially in the digital world.