Leontopodium nivale, commonly called edelweiss.
Love, devotion, bravery, defiant, frugal, resilient, medicinal, mountaineering, hardy, beauty, rugged and noble purity, required perseverance, agility, cutting edge, patriotism. These are only a few of the connotations and undertones behind this rare and beautiful flower.
No text can properly do justice for symbols such as edelweiss, we can only try. In the end, it is people who gave symbols their meaning and power. Simple, common, everyday people.
Although the song; "Edelweiss" was specifically written for Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical The Sound of Music (1959) and therefore has no historical basis that I am aware of, I cannot help but notice the older I get the more I feel the need to openly weep when I hear Captain Von Trapp sing the lyrics near the end of the film…
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever
Bless my homeland forever
Indeed I am biased because this film is a childhood favorite of mine. The interesting thing is, as the years pass, it is hard to ignore the steadfastness of the character of Captain Von Trapp. This quote of his in particular has a meaning that only a chosen few can revere;
“To refuse them would be fatal for all of us. And joining them would be unthinkable.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the use of the edelweiss flower within part 3 of the Band of Brothers HBO mini-series. This was also an excellent film representation of the significance, and dare I say the influence of this symbolic flower of the alps.
Countless organizations, businesses, musical bands, governmental entities have adopted the symbol of the Edelweiss flower through the centuries. Edelweiss is in fact, still the insignia of the Austrian, French, Slovenian, Polish, Romanian, and German alpine troops today.
-RED GATT
Preliminary references and data:
Found in very high altitudes across the alpine regions or Europe (notable Switzerland, German and Austria), the Edelweiss is a symbol of courage, bravery, devotion and love.
Release 1 - Prototype 4c/d
Semi-consistent design with noticeable imperfections as tweaks were made to the process between C and D. Part machine part hand-made. Polymer hook backing. Prototype units may show imperfections around cuts, coloring, stitching and hook backing but are completely usable.
Release 2 - Beta 1
19 produced. Updated design process for more consistency however each unit is considered unique. Units may show imperfections design density and minor material fraying. Units are completely usable. Nylon hook backing.
Project specs Release 1 & 2
- 3x3"
- Laser/Hand cut
- Hand finished and assembled
- Hook backing
Release 3 - Embroidered [1]
Initial release of 50 units. Embroidered @ 2.5" at its widest.
1/29/2021
- ~2.5"
- Embroidered
- Hook backing
- Release: 01/25/2021
Release 3 - Embroidered [1b]
Hook backing more recessed compare to [1]. Cleaner edges
- ~2.5"
- Embroidered
- Hook backing
- Release: 02/23/2021
Release 4 - PVC [1]
First PVC release. The design was brought down in side to 2" round. 3D treatment given for depth
- 2"
- PVC
- Hook Backing
- Release: 02/10/2021
Release 5 - PVC [1 GITD]
Final release of the [1] series. The flower is glow in the dark (GITD) with a custom, yellow glow in the dark center. Limited release of 50.
- 2"
- PVC
- Hook Backing
- Release: 03/22/2021
Release 6 - Enamel Pin [1]
- 1" @ widest
- Butterfly clutch
Release 7 - PVC Ranger Eye
- 1"
- Hook Backing
- PVC
- Release: 12/8/2021
Release 8 - PVC Ranger Eye (GITD)
- 1"
- Hook Backing
- PVC
- Release: 12/29/2021
Release 9 - Enamel Pin / Antique
- 1" @ widest
- Butterfly clutch
Release 1 - PVC Subdued + Ranger Eye
Version 1 subdued color scheme.
- 2"
- PVC
- Hook Backing
- Subtle Textures
- Release: 12/14/2022
