Berglerlaub

Collecting evergreen plants during the pilgrimage is an old tradition.

The pilgrims attach bunches of club moss, ivy, spruce, juniper and boxwood to their walking sticks and their rucksacks, or fix them on their hats. These bunches are called "Berglerlaub" or "Bergerlaub"

The crucifixes are decorated with these branches as well.

From every mountain the walkers take another evergreen plant. "Green" is the symbol of the awakening of nature after winter, the symbol of life and survival. Every plant has its own meaning.

Club moss (lucopodium clavatum) is the plant of the Magdalensberg. When the pilgrimage starts at midnight on the top of Magdalensberg, it's very dark and so club moss can hardly be found. But there are pilgrims who start 13 hours before. They come from Sörg, walk across Lorenziberg, through the town of St. Veit and then climb up the Magdalensberg. Another group comes from Maria Wolschart, St. Georgen and St. Sebastian. They often bring the branches of club moss to other pilgrims who start their walk at midnight on the top of Magdalensberg.

But most of the participants of the Four-Mountain Pilgrimage can only take branches of spruce or juniper, which are easier to find, even at new moon. (And as the pilgrimage takes place 14 days after Good Friday, it is always a night next to new moon.)

Why club moss? Club moss has an old tradition and even druids appreciated it, because it was said to prevent harms. The yellow spores are known as "flour of witches", which in earlier times was used for wounds.

Ivy (hedera helix) can be found everywhere on the Ulrichsberg. Near the church of Pörtschach am Berg the pilgrims attach this plant to their bunch.
In Greek mythology ivy is the symbol of the immortality of man's soul. But it is also a symbol of friendship.

Spruce (picea abies), the plant of Veitsberg, is the symbol of harmony between man and God.

On the Lorenziberg the pilgrims take a branch of juniper (juniperus communis). In former times people suspected the juniper to dislodge evil ghosts.

Boxwood (buxus sempervirens) which the pilgrims put to their bunch during the walk is said to have similar qualities.

After the pilgrimage the bunches are taken home. Here they should protect people and houses from various calamities.

Stefan Buchleitner

	Berglerlaub Collecting evergreen plants during the pilgrimage is an old tradition. The pilgrims attach bunches of club moss, ivy, spruce, juniper and boxwood to their walking sticks and their rucksacks, or fix them on their hats. These bunches are called "Berglerlaub" or "Bergerlaub" The crucifixes are decorated with these branches as well. From every mountain the walkers take another evergreen plant. "Green" is the symbol of the awakening of nature after winter, the symbol of life and survival. Every plant has its own meaning. Club moss (lucopodium clavatum) is the plant of the Magdalensberg. When the pilgrimage starts at midnight on the top of Magdalensberg, it's very dark and so club moss can hardly be found. But there are pilgrims who start 13 hours before. They come from Sörg, walk across Lorenziberg, through the town of St. Veit and then climb up the Magdalensberg. Another group comes from Maria Wolschart, St. Georgen and St. Sebastian. They often bring the branches of club moss to other pilgrims who start their walk at midnight on the top of Magdalensberg. But most of the participants of the Four-Mountain Pilgrimage can only take branches of spruce or juniper, which are easier to find, even at new moon. (And as the pilgrimage takes place 14 days after Good Friday, it is always a night next to new moon.) Why club moss? Club moss has an old tradition and even druids appreciated it, because it was said to prevent harms. The yellow spores are known as "flour of witches", which in earlier times was used for wounds. Ivy (hedera helix) can be found everywhere on the Ulrichsberg. Near the church of Pörtschach am Berg the pilgrims attach this plant to their bunch. In Greek mythology ivy is the symbol of the immortality of man's soul. But it is also a symbol of friendship. Spruce (picea abies), the plant of Veitsberg, is the symbol of harmony between man and God. On the Lorenziberg the pilgrims take a branch of juniper (juniperus communis). In former times people suspected the juniper to dislodge evil ghosts. Boxwood (buxus sempervirens) which the pilgrims put to their bunch during the walk is said to have similar qualities. After the pilgrimage the bunches are taken home. Here they should protect people and houses from various calamities. Stefan Buchleitner