Bodas de sangre Glossary of Terms

"know"
The characters often refer to "knowing" someone as a euphemism for having sexual
intercourse with them.
blood vendetta
A feud between families that continues for generations after it has started
camellia
A type of flower, often used to make tea
caper
In Blood Wedding, the pickled buds of the caper plant, used as an ingredient to add flavor
to food
carnation
A common flower that grows around the world. Although different colors have different
meanings in different cultures, the carnation is associated with death and misfortune in
some Mediterranean countries, especially France.
dahlia
A brightly colored flower
first pin
In a custom similar to the throwing of the bridal bouquet in the United States, the
characters in the play believe that the woman who receives the first hairpin the Bride takes
off after the wedding will be the next to get married.
flint
A kind of stone that breaks easily and is thus often used as a makeshift knife. It can also be
used to set fires.
green branch
The "green branch" could refer to a laurel branch, given on a variety of important occasions,
from weddings to funerals to important victories.
jasper
A hard type of stone, usually red or brown
Jupiter plant
Also known as Jupiter's beard, this red flower grows in Mediterranean climates. The plant
used to grow at the Bridegroom's farm, but it died after his father was murdered. There
may be a symbolic connection, then, between the name of the plant, which refers to the
Roman king of the gods, and the Bridegroom's father.
laceration
A wound
mantilla
A special lacy veil worn in Spain, especially at weddings and funerals
mattock
A sharp tool used in the fields, similar to a pickaxe
nightingale
A songbird known for its pleasant chirping. Its song is often associated with death and / or
poetry.

oleander
A poisonous flower that grows in Mediterranean climates
Seora
Spanish for "Mrs.," also used as a generic term of respect for an older woman
sickle
A sharp farming tool with a curved blade
torrent
A rapid downpour of water, either from a river or from the rain
wedding sheets
Refers to the special embroidered sheets the Bride receives for her wedding