"Clouties" in Trees next to Cairn Euny Holy Well, Cornwall, England

This photo shows "clouties," strips of cloth tied to trees and shrubs near sacred wells throughout Cornwall. The cloutie is taken from a garment that covered a part of the body which needs healing. It is tied to a tree or shrub near a healing well. According to folk belief, when the cloutie disintegrates, the indicated body part will be healed. Many of the clouties tied to this tree next to Cairn Euny holy well were of recent origin.