What's NOT in a 'Quinta-feira de Ascensão' bouquet?

Yesterday was 'Quinta-feira de Ascensão' in Portugal, in English: Ascension Thursday or Ascension Day.

This Portuguese cultural celebration is sometimes translated as 'Ear of Wheat Day' or 'Spike of Grain Day' from the Portuguese word espiga, an ear of wheat, a sprig of which is part of the associated bouquet or 'ramo'.

You may have seen these small bouquets adorning doors, gateways or even cars, that mark this Christian feast day celebrating the belief in the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven, which always falls on a Thursday, exactly 40 days after Easter Sunday.

This Day of the Wheat Ear is also seen by some as a 'Blessing of the Harvest' or a 'Spring Abundance Festival' and in some parts of the UK and Germany, there are similar ancient 'Beating the Bounds' or 'Well Dressing' traditions around this time of year.

The specific Portuguese 'Espiga' bouquet is quite unique to the Iberian Peninsula, but which of these components is NOT included?

Wheat Ears: For bread (daily sustenance)

A Potato for groundedness (common sense)

Poppies: For life and passion

Daisies: For money and prosperity

Vine Branch: For joy (wine)

Olive Branch: For peace and light (oil)

Rosemary: For health and strength

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