Symbolic Flowers around the World

We have been bestowing flowers with symbolism for centuries through myths, legends and tales told through the ages. We use flowers to celebrate, commemorate and share our feelings during significant life events. They have always been and still are an essential part of the human journey through life:

Marigolds, with their bright orange and yellow hues and feathery leaves are often allocated the meaning of ‘Grief’, they are also known as ‘Herb of the Sun’. They are especially important to people who live in Latin America & Mexico, these pretty and bold blooms are grown by families as they await the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), where they will take the cut flowers to the graves of their ancestors and lost loved ones to guide their souls back to them for the day.

The spring flowering of the Cherry tree is an important part of the Japanese calendar as they believe the pretty pink blossom symbolises the ‘Impermanence’ and reflects the ‘essence of life itself’. The Sakura Zensen (The Cherry blossom front) is celebrated every year by people who flood into the tree lined avenues and parks from across the world. The Hanami (Flower Viewing) festival only lasts for two weeks, with picnics and parties held beneath the natural canopies of flowers.

In France, the Lily of the Valley is celebrated not only for its delicate white bell-shaped flowers and sweet scent, but also for its symbolic meaning of porte-bonheur (‘Return of Happiness’). Everyone grows these pretty flowers or picks them from the woods where they grow wild and brings them to market so that everyone can have the opportunity to take a small, fragrant posy home.

The Rose is one of the most widely used flowers in celebrations across the world. On April 23^rd in Catalonia, roses are given as gifts to commemorate its patron saint; Saint Jordi, this day is also known as the Feast of Saint George. According to legend, a red rose grew from the blood of the slain dragon killed by Saint Jordi (Saint George). The tradition of giving roses to your loved ones dates back to the nineteenth century and has spread across to the rest of Spain.

The Lotus flower symbolises purity of an enlightened mind as the plant grows in muddy waters and the full blooms emerge onto the surface. In ancient Chinese culture, the lotus indicated a woman’s noble and pure personality. The flower, leaves, seed and roots are widely used in Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years and has become part of many culinary dishes too. A lotus is held up as a precious flower in Buddhism and is often pictured in illustrations of Buddhist Deities. In Beijing, the lotus blooms on lunar 8^th of April which is Lord Buddha’s Birthday and again on lunar 8^th of January which is Lotus Day.