Jinny the witch shall heal and burn,, an illustration of the nettle’s contradictory nature…..

The word ‘Jinny’ is Gaelic for ‘fire’, so perhaps an explanation for this nettle folk name....the burning stingers as they brush against your ankles…..gah!

British plants were often personified, adopting dialectal names to characterize their behaviour.-in this instance "Jinny" pertained to mischievous or working-class country girls, and dare I say it, a woman who nags…..but there is also an endearing Manx phrase ‘I’d touch a jinny nettle for you’

I like the paradox of the nettle. Both healer and afflicter. With all this in mind, I set about sketching out my ‘Jinny’. A dark fairy character, tangled up in her own foliage, persecuted by the very plant she protects…..

‘Jinny’ was also a central figure in the Isle of Man’s Hop-tu-Naa celebration on 31st October. Based on the legend of Manx woman ’Joney Lowney’. Once a cunning woman, helping to cure sick animals and making potions, she was typically accused of witchcraft, sorcery and causing the churning of milk, Jinny the Witch was qute the character in the island’s folklore. My head has made a connection between burning nettle stings, nettle-based potions, the burning of the witch, however I haven’t found a definitive relationship between them yet.....

The tradition of jinny the Witch is still celebrated, with children singing a well-loved song outlining her escapades and carrying lanterns made from turnips, (and before that, cabbages.)

I also began an acrylic version of Jinny, splashing some colour down as a base. She’s still waiting for her next session….

Jinny Nettle

£10.00

jinny the witch shall heal and burn, an illustration of the nettle’s contradictory nature.

Printed on Beluga Smooth 300gsm Paper

Back is hand stamped

With backing card and compostable cello bag

I ended up utilising the full colour digital illustration, firstly as a print which you can view above.

Progress on Jinny version 2.0. Lots of muted greens and browns but with a shimmering gold background. Can’t wait to get stuck into her details soon.

Jinny Nettle

£5.00

jinny the witch shall heal and burn, an illustration of the nettle’s contradictory nature.

A6 Greeting card

Blank inside

Back is signed/stamped
Beluga smooth 350gsm paper

With Brown envelope and compostable cello bag

Then, with my love of Victorian flower fairy aesthetic, I added some gold design elements such as a border and creating greeting cards-I was going for vintage/botanical/curiosity vibes…..

Jinny Nettle; witch, woman or weed?

©KARIS HARRINGTON 2026