Water nut, or chilim(Trapa natans), — is a unique aquatic plant that could once be found in almost every lake or slow-flowing river in Ukraine. Its dark brown fruits, similar to small horns or bats, immediately catch the eye. But behind this strange look hides a long history, rich symbolism and ancient folk beliefs.
Even in the days of Kyivan Rus, water walnut was an important part of the diet. It was dried, pounded and boiled porridge, bread or cakes were baked. In the famine years, chilim even saved from death, because its nutritious fruits — contain a lot of starch, proteins and minerals. Archaeologists have found the remains of water nuts in the vessels of ancient Slavic settlements, which shows that this plant was not only known, but also revered.
In folk culture, chilim had a special symbolism. Through his «horny» his appearance was considered a talisman against evil spirits. Nuts were dried and hung in the house or placed in the baby's cradle to protect against clamor. At the same time, the shape of the fetus resembled a heart, so in some areas it became a symbol of love and unity. There are records that girls gave boys a water nut as a sign of affection — a kind of talisman of relationships.
Over time, the plant disappeared from most Ukrainian reservoirs due to draining swamps and climate change. Today, the water nut is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine —, it can be seen only in certain nature reserves or the old bays of the Dnieper, Desna and Polissia.
Despite this, folklore still has a memory of «damn nuts», as it was sometimes called — with respect and light fear. Water walnut remains a symbol of ancient harmony between man and nature, reminding how much interesting things ordinary Ukrainian reservoirs hide.
