According to Roman mythology, Attis, Cybele's lover, castrated himself under a pine tree and so perished. The Feast of Blood, celebrated on March 24, commemorated Attis' death and resurrection.
A pine tree covered in violets, said to have sprung from the blood of Attis, was carried in procession. The priests and cult members flagellated themselves with leather whips tipped with small pieces of bone.
