Behind today’s advent calendar “door” we have a couple of studies in green and gold. First up, the not-so-secret ingredient in Tom’s Christmas ale. We are already looking forward to this festive brew! I’ve always been intrigued by Lyle’s Lion and Bees trademark, and only today discovered that “out of the strong came forth sweetness” is a reference to Samson’s riddle in Judges 14:14. The choice of a decaying animal carcass as a brand image seems really quite remarkable — not least when one considers its iconic longevity and success. You can read more about Lyle’s branding here.
After photographing the can of syrup, and leaving Tom to his brewing, I went out for a walk and spotted this green-and-gold lichen covered tree. I went to get a closer look. Me and the camera spent some time contemplating the lichen’s amazing form . . .
. . . like delicate, fluttering wings caught in a moment of stasis.
a vivid, velvet gold.
. . . before being disturbed by a curious dog, and its owner, who was doing her best not to seem interested in my tree-gazing activities. Anyway, green and gold are a very seasonal combination, and put me happily in mind of another tree, which we shall be bringing home and decorating next weekend.
KDD & Co 
The lichen photos are beautiful. What wonderful colours.
(And I like the Lyle’s tin – my dad took great delight in telling me the story when I was a little girl).
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Wow–I’ve never looked at lichen so closely before. Yours truly is a gorgeous color.
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Beautiful photographs. I love close up views.
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Beautiful.
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Interesting to know about Lyle’s Golden Syrup brand name. I love this syrup and just made a gingerbread cake that called for an entire can!
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Good heavens! All this time I’ve had a tin of Lyle’s in my cupboard, and I have never looked at the logo. I certainly shall now, with a renewed sense of interest!
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“But here they espy a portent, sudden and wondrous to tell – throughout the paunch, amid the molten flesh of the oxen, bees buzzing and swarming forth from the ruptured sides, then trailing in vast clouds, till at last on a treetop they stream together, and hang in clusters from the bending boughs.” Vergil (of Virgil depending on your spelling preference) Georgics IV
Vergil (and I’m sure others of his time) thought that rotting animals were a source of bees. Although the Georgics talk about use bullocks and oxen in the recipe I’m sure lions did the job just as well.
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What a beautiful combination of photos. You have a great eye for colour – I lurk on here a lot!
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Two of my favourite things. Come down here and see the giant tin of Golden Syrup on T&L’s factory some time.
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The lichen shots are exquisite! Thank you,
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What beautiful photos, they are exquisite.
Love
Lyn
xxx
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Well I never knew that! Never even noticed the bees around the lion or that the lion was meant to be dead for that matter ~ who would believe it could be such a brand logo for all those years, can you imagine coming up with the idea today? At least I now have a ‘fact of the day’ to share at work tomorrow! Thanks, from Emma ;0)
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I’ve always enjoyed looking at linchen on the bark of trees.Beautiful pictures. Amazing colour and formations.
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I didn’t know about the Lyle’s quote either despite always having a tin in the cupboard. An essential ingredient for many yummy delights!
Great post.
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