Have you ever heard of this mysterious plant? Its Polish name, Dziewięćsił, literally means “nine forces.” In English, it’s known as the short-stemmed Carline Thistle. I’ve never seen one in person, but it’s a mountain flower native to central and southern Europe. In Poland, its symbolism is deeply rooted in the culture of the Górale – mountain people, particularly the Podhale region—the foothills of the Tatra Mountains—where the flower thrives in dry, sunny meadows and grasslands.

Interwoven with Polish folklore, this unique flower is said to have triple healing powers and nine leaves, making it nine times more powerful than any other herb. It’s associated with strength of character and resilience—an emblem of the Góral spirit.

Herbal roots

These “triple powers” are linked to heaven, earth, and hell—but also to the powerful bond between man or woman and nature. Its Latin name is Carlina acaulis. The flower grows low to the ground, with silvery-white petals that resemble a rising moon (or sun) and can be up to 15cm diameter, nestled among a rosette of prickly leaves.

The species part of the name “acaulis” comes from the Greek a kaulos, meaning “without a stem.” Traditionally used to treat a wide range of ailments, Dziewięćsił is locally sometimes referred to as a Dziewięćsiornik. Its essential oil has antibacterial, antipyretic, and digestive properties and Carlina Oxide from the root has recently been studied for its medicinal purposes. Today, it’s a protected species in the wild, and any herbal remedies must come from cultivated plants.

French roots

The name Carlina is said to come from Emperor Charlemagne, the powerful warrior 9th-century ruler who united much of Europe. His court physicians were skilled in herbal medicine and magic, using such plants to heal and protect. The association with Charlemagne adds a legendary dimension to this already mythical flower.

The heart of the mountains

I’ve heard Dziewięćsił is sometimes called Parzenica Góralska—but Parzenica is the decorative motif on the traditional trousers of Góral (Polish Highlander) men. These rosette-centred embroideries feature swirling lines, often three or four on either side of a central heart. Together, the pattern includes seven or nine leaves—but perhaps my imagination is running wild, seeing so many of these at Góral festivals.

Originally, parzenice were hand-embroidered, serving both a decorative and practical purpose—reinforcing the fabric in areas prone to wear. Today, they’re a proud symbol of Góral identity. The looped designs are said to trace back to Hungarian hussar uniforms, known for their elaborative braiding but it wasn’t until the second half of the 19th century that these fitted trousers began to be decorated.

Sunshine and rain

The Góral priest and philosopher Józef Tischner once posed a simple question: why would God create flowers that cows and sheep won’t eat, that stings? He answers with a poetic reflection: “But when it blooms, the clearing becomes somehow different, prettier, more beautiful….

[and on women’s embroidered costumes]…They don’t have any of those—how shall I say—‘useful’ flowers. But there is actually a dziewięćsiornik, a plant created by God to be an ornament of the mountains……Created so that, upon spotting it, the human soul might feel more cheerful.” (Mądrość Człowieka Gór – Highlander Wisdom, 2019, Published by Znak)

For the Góral people, Dziewięćsił is often depicted as resembling the sun — of health, power, and protection against evil spirits. The flower is used as a decoration on homes, particularly above doorways, to safeguard those within.

Some say the flower fell from the sky and made its home in the mountains. And it’s a better weather forecaster than any baca(shepherd): its petals close when moisture is in the air. If you see the leaves curling up, it means “Idzie dysc”—“Rain is coming.”

A Scottish connection

Though Dziewięćsił isn’t native to Scotland, thistles are of course the national symbol—another rugged flower with deep cultural meaning, especially in the Highlands. It was in Scotland, at a scout camp in Stirlingshire, that I first encountered Dziewięćsił—in name, at least. Our beloved scout instructor and mentor, Zofia Żaba (daughter of General Sulik), suggested this flower as the name for our camp. It was meant to symbolise the three branches of the Polish armed forces during World War II—a tribute to strength, resilience, and unity.

The leaves

You may be wondering what the nine leaves represent, so here they are:

• zdrowie – health
• moc – strength
• rozum – wisdom
• uczciwość – honesty
• wierność – faith
• pracowitość – diligence
• sumienność – conscientiousness
• ofiarność – sacrifice
• odwagę – bravery

And this is what I mused on this summer – I hope you had a great one!