The grain’s plurality of definitions reflects its versatility and depth. The intricacies relate to the various systems of production that occur within a grain and outside a grain, both in historical times and under the lens of modern science. In the Medieval times, ‘to be dyed in the grain’ was a luxury.
The historical definition of a grain refers to Kermes dye, ‘The dyestuff was called “grain”… because the desiccated eggs resembled fine grains of wheat or sand’ . The dye was derived from a red scale insect’s eggs and was used throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. Consequently textiles dyed with kermes were described as ‘dyed in the grain’. The small insect grains produced a rich red crimson colour that eventually became a much coveted status symbol, for those who had capital to purchase. Today a similar process is still used to produce cochineal, a dye used by McDonalds to produce a bright red colour. Still for many people in the general population, ‘grain’ relates to the production of food.
A more well known definition of grain refers to, ‘seeds of wheat or other cultivated cereals’. The ‘seeds’ of wheat identified are similar to the desiccated eggs of the Kermes dye; in the sense that it is the raw material required to start a process. In the two definitions a similarity is the emphasis of where the process begins and not the final product. The linguistic variations and contrasts can be utilised to analyse how a society views its survival and growth.
The grain, in its agricultural definition relates to the production of food, ‘Wheat or any other cultivated cereal used as food’, this shows that a ‘grain’ is a fundamental building block for survival. As a result of technological advances in production, packaging and transport, the range of products produced from wheat or cereal is vast. However as processes of production and systems of management become more complicated and demanding, the grain as an entity is neglected in today’s world. It would appear trite to state that commodities are valued more than people. Perhaps, it would be less trite to state that people are lost in the process of creating huge achievements, whether this be through circumstance or choice. A grainy reflection of a post-modern reality; where the end product is more important than the individual building blocks that make the process possible in the first place.
Stewardship comes hand in hand when observing the importance of an individual grain. In a pre industrial era the grain had a noble place as the starting point for food, culture, trade, and wealth. Just as mill stones were sought and hidden in the homes of peasants, ‘grain’ was not just a commodity for producing food it was a cornerstone to self sufficiency. The gradual accumulation of grain demonstrates the need to treat resources sparingly: a grain left on a plate becomes a handful; a handful over months becomes a store cupboard; and over years a store cupboard becomes a huge room.
In the giant conveyor belt of the modern world people have become grains as large cooperations pour crimson dyes, with the promise to sell robes of happiness and freedom. The concept of ‘the grain’ as an individual, a unit, the start of a fundamental process, remains archaic, strange, and at best original. Have we all become emperors complete with his robes? Perhaps modern science can help provide the answer by allowing the naked human eye to peer into an invisible world and (excuse the pun) see a grain of truth.
Modern science turns the grain back into a granum. The scientific definition of a grain derived from the latin ‘granum’ refers to, ‘a stacklike structure in plant chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll; the site of photosynthesis’. The most scientific of definitions and perhaps the most difficult to understand burrows its name from ancient times. The latin word for the grain signifies one of the most complex and fundamental processes for mammals at all stages of the the food chain, photosynthesis. This presents a paradox on two levels; firstly, a dead language is used to signify a process of maintaining life, at a microscopic level; secondly the Latin term represents a process that could only be seen by modern science. The use of Latin represents a neoclassical revival of logic and reason, and empiricism. Logic and reason are also intellectual tools that can solve challenges such as food wastage and poverty, both relative and absolute.
The use of the Latin ‘granum’ shows the importance of scientific knowledge and its application in modern times.The stack-like structure represents a systematic methodological process of logic and reasoning. The chlorophyll represents the lifeblood of a plant as it carries light and light represents progress, a medium outside time and space. Each grain contains the power to trap light, build economies and sustain lives. Just like the unwinding of the millions of rungs in a double helix.
The grain’s small and humble appearance never changes although the processes within and around constantly churn. The combination of the historical and scientific definitions of a grain converts the grain into a granum, the ordinary into the extraordinary, matter into light, and food to thought.
The grain is important for children to learn and appreciate, not for the reasons I mention or for its many definitions; but for the avenues of enquiry the twain combined produce. This is food for a growing mind.
The modern world produces three main options: science, intellectual thought and religion: you can see the world in a grain, outside a grain or beyond a grain. Reason allows us to choose whether we see the world beyond, inside or outside.
But in order to simultaneously see inside and outside a grain we require a science education that cuts through the grain of both worlds.