How Europe’s Magic Mushroom earned its name: The fascinating story of “Liberty Cap”
As autumn arrives, mushroom hunters rejoice at the beginning of fungi picking/collecting season. Among the different types of mushrooms, psilocybin mushrooms have gained significant attention for their potential therapeutic properties, with an increasing number of studies suggesting that psilocybin may be effective in managing mental health issues such as depression and addiction.
Certain states, such as Oregon, have even gone as far as legalising psilocybin for therapeutic purposes, and many speculate that it won’t be long before others follow suit.
The Liberty Cap
Liberty Cap mushrooms, commonly referred to as Psilocybe semilanceata are a species of psychedelic mushrooms that can be found throughout all of Europe and North America. The name Liberty Cap refers to the distinctive bell-shaped cap of the mushroom, which is often cream-reddish-brown in colour. Despite their small size, they are well-known for their potent effects and continue to be a subject of fascination and research in the field.
Now, let’s shift away from general information and dive into the enchanting story surrounding this magic mushroom.
According to University of Glasgow lecturer, Adrastos Omissi, the use of the mushroom’s folk name bothered him prompting him to delve deeper and explore the origins of the “Liberty Cap”. Being a Roman historian, he was initially perplexed by the name “Liberty Cap” as this referred to a conical felt cap given to Roman slaves to commemorate their freedom.
This fact initially puzzled the author, a Roman historian who associated the term “liberty cap” with a felt hat given to Roman slaves upon being granted freedom. The author notes the resemblance between the pointed cap of the Psilocybe semilanceata mushroom and the distinctive shape of the Roman liberty cap. One could not ignore the uncanny resemblance between the hat and the mushroom cap shape.
Emerging historical connections
Intrigued by this information, Adrastos Omissi continued to research the matter and discovered the surprising historical and cultural connections between the Roman liberty cap and the modern-day psychedelic mushroom. These connections span events such as assassinations, revolutions, poetry, and a unique scientific discovery.
The hat gained new cultural significance in 44 BC after Julius Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March. Marcus Junius Brutus, known for his involvement in Caesar’s murder, minted coins with the words EID MAR, two daggers, and the liberty cap to show his part in the deed. The imagery of the coin was pretty straight forward: Rome had been freed from Caesar’s oppression.Brutus’s use of the symbol transformed it from a low status symbol to an elite political symbol that outlasted him. Throughout the Roman period, the goddess Libertas and the liberty cap were commonly employed by emperors to emphasise the freedom their absolute rule provided. The liberty cap became a symbol of revolution and freedom from tyranny and was adopted by many revolutionary movements and groups.
Caps of revolution
Did you know that stories of the Liberty Cap go all the way back through the Romans, the renaissance, and the age of enlightenment? Read on to learn about the historical significance of the liberty cap, and how instrumental it has proven over the centuries.
1500–1700 AD
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the liberty cap was largely forgotten until the 16th century. As interest in ancient Roman culture spread throughout Europe, the liberty cap became more widely known and used as a political symbol again. For instance, when the Dutch gained independence from Spain in 1577, coins bearing the liberty cap were minted to celebrate the event. Similarly, William of Orange used the symbol on coins commemorating his takeover of the English throne in 1688.
1700–1800 AD
However, it was during the 18th century that the liberty cap became a truly popular icon. The French and American revolutions in particular embraced the symbol, which had now merged with the visual form of the ancient Phrygian cap. The liberty cap (known as the bonnet rouge in French) was worn as actual headwear or decoration, rather than just a symbolic device.
The French revolutionaries, for instance, forced Louis XVI to don the liberty cap during their 1790 attack on the Tuileries. Meanwhile, revolutionary groups in America declared their rebellion against British rule by raising the liberty cap on a pole in public squares. Benjamin Franklin even designed a medal in 1781 depicting Libertas Americana with the cap of liberty slung over her shoulder, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
1800–1900 AD
However, as mycology emerged as a discipline in the 19th century, the name “Liberty Cap” was universally associated with Psilocybe semilanceata. During this time the mushroom was considered obscure and only devoted mycologists were deeply interested in it. As common names for mushrooms began to be included in mycological handbooks, Psilocybe semilanceata was routinely identified as the Liberty Cap.
The earliest example of this association may have been in Mordecai Cooke’s 1871 Handbook of British Fungi. In 1894, Cooke published his Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms, which referred to Psilocybe semilanceata as “cap of liberty,” exactly the phrasing used by Coleridge, whom it would appear that Cooke was consciously quoting. By the 20th century, the name was firmly established and as a result of this fascinating history, it is commonly referred to as the liberty cap.
Overall, the history of the Liberty Cap spans ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and the Age of Enlightenment. It has been used as a symbol of both oppression and liberation, and has been employed in a wide variety of contexts, from the assassination of Julius Caesar to the American Revolution. Its legacy remains alive today as a strong symbol of freedom and resistance, as well as a potent magic mushroom with potential therapeutic benefits.
Did you enjoy this article? Visit our blog page. We regularly post interesting articles related to everything surrounding Mushrooms. Check out this article titled ‘’A guide to Different Mushroom Strains’’
The information provided by Mondo Grow Kits on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not advocate the use of any illicit products, nor does it constitute providing medical advice or professional services. Always consult your doctor before making any decisions about healthcare.