Hop Tu Naa on the Isle of Man
Hop Tu Naa on the Isle of Man...Tradition, Folklore, and Seasonal Blooms
Hop Tu Naa is one of the Isle of Man’s most cherished traditions, celebrated on October 31st. While Halloween may be the more familiar festival elsewhere, here on the Isle, Hop Tu Naa is deeply rooted in Celtic culture and folklore, offering an exciting and unique experience for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re hosting a Hop Tu Naa party or simply want to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, flowers are a beautiful way to celebrate this special time of year.
At The Flower Studio, we believe in celebrating the Island’s rich traditions by incorporating seasonal flowers and foliage into our designs, inspired by the colours and textures of autumn. Think rich, earthy tones, from deep plums and burnt oranges to vibrant yellows, paired with textured greenery and wild elements that evoke the spirit of the harvest season. Our bouquets will feature late-season blooms like chrysanthemums and sunflowers, combined with berries and local foliage that mirrors the Island’s rugged beauty.
Decorate with Nature: Here are a few ideas on how you can use seasonal blooms and plants to elevate your Hop Tu Naa celebrations:
Turnips and Florals... now there is a combination I never thought I would see when I was doing my floristry training all those years ago! Here on the Isle of Man, we carve turnips or 'moots' instead of pumpkins, so once you have gotten over the initial battle of hollowing out your design, why not soften it with some pretty seasonal flowers and leaves? Turnips were traditionally used, as pumpkins wouldn't have been available on the Isle of Man and they also hold a symbolic significance of being the final root vegetable of the harvest.
Image below from Culture Vannin - Hop tu Naa turnip carved by Graham Midghall
Autumnal Wreaths: A handcrafted wreath using local foliage, berries, dried flowers, and twigs is a perfect addition to your Hop Tu Naa decorations, symbolising the harvest and the transition into winter - hang it on your door or lie it flat and use it as a centrepiece with a glass lantern in the middle. Wreath also hold symbolism for abundance and gratitude for the harvest season and in Medieval times, were made using ivy, holly and mistletoe to protect the household and ward off evil spirits.
Outdoor plants - brighten up your doorstep ready for the Hop Tu Naa singers with some Autumnal bedding plants and trailing ivy to match the rustic and earthy vibes of the season and make a lasting addition to your home decor long after the festival has passed. Willow lanterns can be hung from trees and fences to really bring your entrance to life.
We still have some spaces on our Autumn Wreath Workshop this week, and this design will last way beyond October 31st so a perfect addition to your home decor for Autumn and Hop Tu Naa.
To find out more about Hop Tu Naa and the traditions surrounding this date, head over to the Culture Vannin Website where there are lots of free resources to delve in to.
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