Lily and August drape the beehives in black cloth as an act of symbolic mourning, allowing the bees to participate in the shared grief.
The Ritual of Telling the Bees
In a poignant scene, Lily and August honor a centuries-old tradition by covering the beehives with black cloth. This act, known as "telling the bees," is a customary practice where beekeepers inform their bees of significant family events, especially deaths. The belief is that if the bees are not told, they might leave the hive, stop producing honey, or even die. It underscores a deep, almost spiritual, connection between humans and the natural world, particularly the bee colony.
Symbolism of Black Cloth
The choice of black cloth is highly symbolic and serves multiple purposes within the context of mourning:
- Representation of Grief: Black is universally recognized as the color of mourning, death, and loss. Draping the hives in black visually communicates the profound sorrow experienced by the household.
- Respect for the Deceased: It is an act of deep reverence for the person who has passed, extending the mourning rituals to every aspect of life, including the bee colony which is integral to the family's existence.
- Inclusion of the Bees: By covering the hives, Lily and August include the bees in the human experience of loss, acknowledging their perceived sentience and their role as members of the extended "family" or community. This act suggests that grief is a shared burden, even with non-human creatures.
- Continuity Amidst Change: While signifying loss, the ritual also subtly reinforces the idea of continuity. By performing the tradition correctly, it is believed the bees will stay, ensuring the ongoing life and prosperity of the hive, even as human lives change.
Elements of the Bee Mourning Ritual
The ritual carried out by Lily and August is steeped in tradition and symbolism, intertwining human grief with the natural world:
| Element | Action Performed | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Black Cloth | Draping over each hive | Signifies death, mourning, and deep sorrow |
| "Telling the Bees" | Whispering news of the death to the hives | Informs the bee colony of the loss, includes them in grief |
| Bees' Reaction | (Believed) to stay and continue thriving | Prevents the bees from leaving or dying in sympathy |
A Deep-Rooted Tradition
The practice of "telling the bees" is not unique to the story; it is a genuine folk custom with roots in various cultures across Europe and America. It reflects a time when communities lived in closer harmony with nature and held deep reverence for its creatures. For Lily and August, performing this ritual emphasizes their connection to the past, their respect for life's cycles, and the importance of community—both human and bee—in navigating grief and ensuring continuity. This act underscores how deeply integrated the bees are into the fabric of their lives, not merely as producers of honey, but as sentient beings deserving of respect and inclusion in significant life events.
