Linen is an ancient, natural fabric, even older than cotton or wool. It originated in Egypt and is now popular worldwide, as it is considered organic and suitable for all weather conditions, particularly hot climates. Flax, on the other hand, is the plant from which linen fabric is derived through a series of processing steps. While some people use the terms flax and linen interchangeably, they are distinct entities, with linen being a product of the flax plant’s stem. This article aims to clarify the differences between flax and linen in a straightforward manner.
Flax
Flax, also known as linseed, is an ancient annual plant that dates back to 30,000 BC. It has been cultivated for thousands of years in various civilizations to produce seeds and stems from which fibers are extracted and used to make fabric. Sometimes, the plant’s un-spun fibers are also called flax. Flax plants have numerous by-products, including fibers, medicines, gels, soap, fishnets, paper, and dyes. Flaxseeds are used to produce linseed oil, an edible oil known to be rich in omega fatty acids beneficial to human health.
Linen
Linen is a natural fabric made from the fibers of the flax stem. These fibers undergo several processes to ultimately become linen, which is used to create clothing, tablecloths, and bedsheets. Linen is soft, flexible, and lustrous, considered superior to cotton and a status symbol due to its high cost. The best quality flax fabric is used to make clothing, while lower-quality linen is used for ropes. Linen was the most important fabric before the advent of wool and cotton and is still regarded as a royal fabric used primarily by the wealthy. Ancient Egyptians heavily utilized linen fabric, and it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that the Western world recognized the superiority of linen over cotton.
Key Takeaways
- Flax is a plant, whereas linen is a fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant’s stem.
- Linen is just one of many by-products of the flax plant, which also produces paper, dye, fishnets, medicines, soap, and hair gels.
- Flax fibers produce linen, an ancient, royal fabric considered superior to wool and cotton.
