SLAND OF THE DRAGON'S BLOOD
There are few places left on earth so remote and untouched by time. Socotra is one of the world’s last truly wild places with a uniquely diverse and enchanting landscape of surreal beauty. Rich in mythical history, Herodotus wrote of the immortal phoenix that came to this island to be reborn in a nest of cinnabar and incense every 1,000 years. Frankincense that burned in the temples of ancient Greece and Egypt was harvested from this island. Glimpsing the dragon’s blood trees that mantle the Haghier Mountains, one imagines this is what the world must have looked like millions of years ago. Situated in the Arabian Sea off the horn of Africa, ruled by Yemen, the island of Socotra is home to over 700 native plants and animals found nowhere else on the earth. Until somewhat recently, the island has …show more content…
Living up to 500 years, the mythical dragon’s blood tree with vertical trunk and arching canopy could easily be imagined as an umbrella blown inside out. When the trunk is cut, a scarlet colored resin oozes from the tree prized for its celebrated medicinal qualities. Sap from the tree was sought by Roman Gladiators to cure wounds. Once a vast forest, these remaining trees, unique to Socotra are now classified as endangered. Recent years have shown a troubling decline due to over grazing and insufficient cloud cover needed for young saplings. Smelling the sweet and very valuable amber resin that oozes from the frankincense tree one can easily imagine why it has been traded for over 5,000 years. The Christmas story tells of the gift of frankincense to the Christ child which is the inspiration for gift giving today. Recent studies reveal this aromatic resin relieves depression and anxiety. With a wide variety of uses from spiritual to medicinal used in religious ceremonies, it was thought the smoke would take prayers to heaven. Socotra is home to nine species of the frankincense tree unique to the
There are few places left on earth so remote and untouched by time. Socotra is one of the world’s last truly wild places with a uniquely diverse and enchanting landscape of surreal beauty. Rich in mythical history, Herodotus wrote of the immortal phoenix that came to this island to be reborn in a nest of cinnabar and incense every 1,000 years. Frankincense that burned in the temples of ancient Greece and Egypt was harvested from this island. Glimpsing the dragon’s blood trees that mantle the Haghier Mountains, one imagines this is what the world must have looked like millions of years ago. Situated in the Arabian Sea off the horn of Africa, ruled by Yemen, the island of Socotra is home to over 700 native plants and animals found nowhere else on the earth. Until somewhat recently, the island has …show more content…
Living up to 500 years, the mythical dragon’s blood tree with vertical trunk and arching canopy could easily be imagined as an umbrella blown inside out. When the trunk is cut, a scarlet colored resin oozes from the tree prized for its celebrated medicinal qualities. Sap from the tree was sought by Roman Gladiators to cure wounds. Once a vast forest, these remaining trees, unique to Socotra are now classified as endangered. Recent years have shown a troubling decline due to over grazing and insufficient cloud cover needed for young saplings. Smelling the sweet and very valuable amber resin that oozes from the frankincense tree one can easily imagine why it has been traded for over 5,000 years. The Christmas story tells of the gift of frankincense to the Christ child which is the inspiration for gift giving today. Recent studies reveal this aromatic resin relieves depression and anxiety. With a wide variety of uses from spiritual to medicinal used in religious ceremonies, it was thought the smoke would take prayers to heaven. Socotra is home to nine species of the frankincense tree unique to the