Weeping Willow

During a visit to Camden yesterday I enjoyed this view of a large Weeping Willow catching the sunlight and reflecting in the water of the lock. The Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) is an introduced species originating from China. In China willow trees have come to symbolise renewal and immortality, due to their ability to regenerate from a felled stump or a broken off branch stuck in the ground! In contrast Weeping Willows have come to symbolise sadness to many people, perhaps due to this reference from the Bible (Psalm 137):

By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept
when we remembered Zion.
There on the willow-trees
we hung up our harps.