The ancient legend of the seeds of perks: this is why it is worth taking it back

Italy is a country rich in traditions and legends, many of which have their roots in the agricultural and rural past of its communities.

One of these fascinating stories is that linked to the seeds of perks, a fruit that not only delights the palate, but which has also given rise to an ancient practice of climate prediction.
The tradition of perchy seeds

At a time when peasant life was closely linked to the cycles of nature, the seeds of perchs (or Diospyros khaki) were a crucial element for planning agricultural activities.

According to legend, the farmers, once harvested the fruits, cut the seeds in half to reveal the figures that formed inside. These figures were interpreted as signs of the impending winter weather.
Symbols and their interpretations

Every figure that appeared in the perched seed had a specific meaning:

The fork: If the seed showed a shape similar to a fork, this presaged a harsh winter, with very low temperatures.
The knife: A knife shape indicated a dry winter, characterized by a few snow phenomena.
The spoon: If the seed took the shape of a spoon, this heralded a mild and temperate winter, with abundant snowfall.
Other figures: There were regional variants, and the peasants also exchanged their interpretations, thus enriching tradition with new symbols.
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