September 15, 2007

The invigorating beauty of flowers have always fascinated and enthralled people around the globe over the ages. Their beauty lies in their liveliness, their pleasant aroma and their diverse colours. Their tranquil beauties have also placed them distinctively in mythology, folklore, and religious symbols of different races. When words are unable to convey thoughtfulness and love, flowers easily pass the message and express feelings on the sender’s behalf. From your love is reciprocated, splendid beauty, timidity, forsaken, expectations, purity of heart, innocence, hope in love, felicity, delicacy, single blessedness, to good luck — you name it — flowers touch every string of emotions.

It is generally believed that the practice of assigning meanings to flowers began in Turkey during the 17th century. Lovers began using floral exchanges to convey particular messages. The Victorian era witnessed rise in the popularity of flower language and corresponding meaning assigned to different flowers. And ever since then there has been no looking back in this regard.

Rose is the most popular flower in the world followed by other flowers such as Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Lilies, Carnations, and Narcissus etc. Some flower types may not be very popular around the globe, but could be the most popular in their respective regions.

Let us have a look at some of the most popular and beautiful flowers you can choose from.

Daffodil

Most daffodils look yellow, but yellow-and-white, yellow-and-orange, white-and-orange, pink, and lime-green cultivars also exist. In temperate climates they flower among the earliest blooms in spring; in this way, daffodils both represent and herald spring.

The botanic name for daffodils is Narcissus. Narcissus, in Greek mythology, was a beautiful youth who refused all offers of love, including that of Echo. As a punishment for his indifference he was made to fall in love with his own image in a mountain pool. Unable to possess the image, he pined away and was turned into a flower.

Daffodil stands for: respect and admiration; I send my regards; you’re the only one for me.

Chrysanthemum

Imagine, chrysanthemums have been cultivated in Chinese gardens for almost 3,000 years! The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower). The flower was introduced into Japan probably in the eighth century CE, and the Emperor adopted the flower as his official seal. In Japan there is a ‘Festival of Happiness’ that celebrates the flower.

Chrysanthemum stands for: cheerfulness, innocence; Red Chrysanthemums: I love you; Yellow Chrysanthemums: I feel slighted; White Chrysanthemum: I tell the truth.

Iris

There are so many different varieties of iris that they can be grown the year round, in water and on land. They come in mauve or violet colour. Greek mythology tells us that Iris, goddess of rainbow, acted as a messenger between the gods and the human beings. Her journeys and the many coloured bridge in the sky became indispensable to mankind. The flower takes its name from the goddess or the Greek for rainbow.

Iris stands for: faith, hope, wisdom, and message.

Daisy

Daisy is native to Europe and the temperate regions of Asia. It is a typical meadow flower, growing in a variety of plant communities such as dry fields and meadows, but also under scrubs, open-canopy forests and waste places. The game ‘He loves me, he loves me not’ is associated with this flower. It has a yellow centre with white or pink rays.

Daisy stands for: unfettered love and innocence; I’ll never tell.

Gladiolus

The word gladioli come from the Latin ‘gladius’, meaning ‘sword’, relating to their leaf shape.

It comes in white and soft pastels like pinks, oranges, peach, yellow, red and purple and is found mostly from May to October. Gladioli like a lot of water, and will suffer seriously if not given enough water.

Gladiolus stand for: give me a break, I’m really sincere, Flower of the Gladiators.

Lily

Lily has been associated with many ancient myths. They are mentioned in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, and symbolise chastity and virtue. Even today, lily is associated with purity and faith. There is a mediaeval legend that tells about St. Leonard of France who lived in isolation in the countryside. One day the devil had a direct fight with the Saint. The drops of the devil’s blood turned into poisonous plants while each drop of Leonard’s blood became a lily. And before long the whole forest was covered with these white flowers symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Lilies stand for: purity and faith. White Lily: virginity, purity, it’s heavenly to be with you; Yellow Lily: I’m walking on air; Lily of the Valley: sweetness, return to happiness, humility, you’ve made my life complete, beauty.

Lilac

Lilac is mostly known to florists by its genus name ‘Syringa’. Lilac is a well known shrub in English cottage gardens. The cut flower is far more glamorous than the shrub with long branches laden with flowers. The flowers are very labour-intensive to grow but the final result is well worth it. It is available in white, mauve, violet or pink.

Lilac stands for: outgoing, thoughts.
 

Orchid

During the 19th century, orchids were widely collected. With nearly 25,000 varieties, some orchids are among the most exquisite and expensive flowers available. In antiquity, orchids were correlated with love and fertility. It was common knowledge that they would protect against diseases. Given as a gift they stand for preciousness and seduction.

Orchid stands for: seduction, preciousness;

Orchid flower: love, beauty, thoughtfulness; Blue Orchid: maturity, charm; Wild Orchid: beautiful lady; White Orchid: refinement.

Carnation

The carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a flowering plant native to the Near East and has been cultivated for the last 2,000 years. Its original flower colour was pinkish-hued (flesh-like or ‘carnal’, hence the name ‘carnation’), but later, cultivars of other colours, including red, white, yellow and greenish, have been developed.

According to Greek mythology, Diana, the goddess of hunting, fell in love with a handsome shepherd. However, one day, in a fit of rage, the spoiled goddess tore out the eyes of the shepherd and threw them on the side of the road. Some time after the incident flowers grew on that spot — carnations.

Carnation stands for: fascination and devoted love; Deep Red Carnation: my heart aches for you or I admire you; Pink Carnation: I will never forget you; White Carnation: Our love is pure or good luck; Yellow Carnation: You disappoint me.

Sunflower

Sunflowers turn their heads toward the sun and this is how they got their common name. They originated in Central and South America. Coming with brown disks and yellow rays, Sunflowers are not only pretty to look at but sunflower seeds are power-packed with healthy fats, protein, fibre, minerals, and vitamin E.

Sunflower stands for: adoration and sunshine.

Tulip

Originally from Persia, tulips were introduced to Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 17th century. Hybrids of the flower were a scarcity at the time and a symbol of high status. Soon tulips became very popular as a trading product and bulbs were traded at the highest prices.

Tulip stands for: perfect lover, fame; Red tulips: believe me, declaration of love; White tulips; beautiful eyes; Yellow tulips: there’s sunshine in your smile.

Rose

With its far-reaching popularity, rose is the queen of flowers. After buttercup, the rose is the second oldest variety of flowers on the planet. Biologists can trace rose back some 200 million years. Although rose signifies a number of meanings and symbols, the most common of course is love, which originated in Greek mythology. When Aphrodite cried about the death of her lover Adonis, she had red ‘Adonis Roses’ grown with his blood, — thus red rose is the symbol of never-ending love. Important to mention are the roses’ thorns, of which we all probably have some painful memory. Symbolically love can be painful and full of suffering when not treated carefully.

Red rose: I love you, unconscious beauty; White rose: spiritual love, purity; Yellow rose: joy, gladness; Orange rose: fascinated, enthusiastic; Pink rose: grace, gentility; Thornless rose: love at first sight; Rose single full bloom: I love you, I still love you.

Conclusion

The next time you feel like saying something to anyone special, or can’t find either the words to say something or the strength to say that, say it in the language of flowers. And make efforts to surround yourself with flowers. Flowers after all are an essential part of love, beauty and life.


 

BIRTH FLOWERS

You may all have heard of birthstones, well the following is a list of birth flowers.
Aries — Red rose, tulip
Taurus — Lavender, lilac, aster, lily of the valley
Gemini — Acacia (mimosa, wattle), daffodil
Cancer — Passionflower, iris
Leo —Sunflower, dahlia
Virgo — Chrysanthemum, ivy
Libra — Bells of Ireland, Cymbidium orchid, gardenia, tea rose, tuberose, gladiolus
Scorpio — Calendula, cosmos, chrysanthemum
Saggitarius — Foxtail lily, carnation,
Capricorn — African violet, ivy, jasmine
Aquarius — Arum lily, bird of paradise (Strelitzia)
Pisces — Madonna lily, jasmine, lilac, narcissus