Bollan Bane
	Presiding Officers | Tynwald in Douglas | Seating Plan | Tynwald in St. John's Bollan Bane | Rushes | Fencing the Court
	Bollan-bane (lit. 'white wort"), mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris. It is also known as Bollan-feaill-Eoin (lit.'wort of the vigil of John') or Plant of (St.)John's festival (not to be confused with St. John's Wort, which does not grow naturally on the island). By tradition a wreath or crown of mugwort would be placed on the head of humans and animals on St. John's Eve as a protection against, and a deliverance from, every kind of supernatural danger and evil wish. Mugwort was pre-eminent in Manx folk medicine and white magic, but has since been associated with the Christian Festival of St. John which fell on Tynwald Day. Its continued use at Tynwald can be seen as a symbol of the continuity of the oldest of Parliaments. It could be considered as the Manx National flower, and is worn by all participants in the Tynwald Day Ceremony and many local people too, though should not be worn hanging down but with a wet rap inside foil to prevent the sprig rapidly looking limp. Nowadays it is worn as a buttonhole but was usually worn on hats as a reflection of its traditional use.