Part II - ❀ *₊ Language of Flowers ₊ ❀°。

✿ For the past few weeks I've found myself very much in love with lavender and its scent - but especially with how calm and nice it made me feel, so I wanted to read more about it ^^ here's what I found:

- The Victorians viewed lavender as a luxurious flower, and thus it symbolized affluence and leisure.

However, even before the Victorians, Europeans were fond of lavender. During the Black Plague of the 17th century, citizens in a town called Bucklersbury managed to avoid getting sick from the plague. Historians are convinced this was due to the fact that Bucklersbury was the European hub for the lavender industry, therefore implying that the citizens were protected by lavender’s microbial properties.

- In addition to its use for medicinal purposes and in perfumes, the ancient Egyptians may have used lavender when embalming mummies. They also included lavender in ointments, perfumes, and other products, which they placed in tombs with deceased loved ones and royalty so they would have them in the afterlife. In fact, the Egyptians painted the herb (or similar related plants) in their hieroglyphics and artwork. Thus, the Egyptians most likely considered lavender as a sacred herb they associated with eternal life.

- But, according to the flower dictionary:

Lavender symbolizes purity, grace, calmness, loyalty, love;

- The waratah is arguably the most beautiful and instantly recognizable of Australia's native wildflowers. The bold, usually blood-red flower heads are held above striking foliage, shining like beacons in the bush during spring - the waratah flowers simply demand attention and, honestly, it’s hard to look away. Tragedy and strength blend together to create such a wonderful flower to serve as a symbol of Australia’s long history.

While I’m guilty of thinking of these as a single flower, one waratah bloom is actually numerous small flowers all connected together- a characteristic common to the Proteaceae family of plants. It can actually have over 100 tiny blooms per flower head, highlighting how strong this pretty flower really is!

It is a symbol of strength, courage, healing, and support, especially support of a lost spouse or love;

- In medieval Germany, the lily was considered a flower of the afterlife and a mourning state. According to legend, the lily is a symbol of the redemption of sins. It is believed that if a lily grows on a grave, the person buried under it is innocently convicted.

- In Greek mythology, the Lily was the flower of Hera, wife of Zeus. The legends have it that the lily was formed from the milk of her breast: Legend has it Zeus fathered Hercules with the mortal woman Alcmene. As a result, wished his son to partake more fully of divinity, so he had the baby brought to Hera. After that, he drugged her to sleep, during which he had the baby placed at her breast and Hercules nursed. As a consequence, Hera awoke in horrified surprise and flung the baby from her. As a result, some of her milk gushed across the heavens. Consequently, forming the milky way. After that, a few drops fell to earth and from those drops sprang the first lilies.

- So, according to the flower dictionary:

 ･ Lilies symbolize purity, innocence, fertility and rebirth;

- The Red Spider Lily flower is one of the few flowers that show its beauty during winter season. When all the other flowers in your garden or about to wither and give way to a frosty winter, the red spider lily is getting into its element. This flower lies dormant throughout the summer, and start blossoming as winter sets in - already making it very special.

They last for two weeks after blossoming, and then turn into a light pinkish shade before withering away.

- Throughout Asia, the red spider lily flower meaning is associated with goodbyes.

･ According to ancient legends the red spider lily is set to grow wherever people part ways for the final time. In Buddhist writings, the red spider lily flower meaning is to guide people through the cycle of rebirth. For this reason, this flower is often used in funerals.

･ Another reason why the red spider lily flower meaning is associated with final goodbyes is that they are also associated with death itself - This is because the buds of this plant are poisonous and, in the past, they were used as useful deterrents to keep pests away from rice fields. Farmers used to plant the red spider lily along the borders of their rice fields in the attempt to keep away any pests (such as mice), that would die when they ate the spider lily buds.

- Therefore, the most prominent symbolic meaning associated with red spider lilies is death (due to the practice of planting them or placing them on graves for protection and as tributes to the dead), but they're also considered to be the flowers of heaven and to represent final goodbyes, abandonment, and bad luck in the language of flowers;

- Lilacs have a deep-rooted history originating in ancient Greek mythology: It was said that Pan, the god of forests and fields was hopelessly in love with a nymph named Syringa. One day he was pursuing her through a forest and, afraid of his advances, she turned herself into a lilac shrub to disguise herself. To Pan’s surprise, he could not find Syringa, but he did find the shrub. Because a lilac shrub consists of hollow reeds, he cut the reeds and created the first pan pipe. Syringa's name comes from the Greek word for pipe, "syrinks"—and that's where the lilac's scientific name, Syringa, came from.

- Lilacs have come to symbolize spring and renewal because they are early bloomers. These bushes have also held different meanings in different cultures throughout the centuries:

･ The Celtics saw lilacs as magical because of their sweet scent;

･ During the Victorian age, lilacs were a symbol of an old love—widows often wore lilacs during this time;

･ In Russia, holding a sprig of lilac over a newborn baby was thought to bring wisdom;

･ In the United States, the lilac is the official state flower of New Hampshire and represents the ‘hardy’ nature of its people;

- But also, each Lilac color has a different meaning:

･ White lilacs represent purity and innocence;

･ Purple lilacs symbolize spirituality;

･ If the blooms edge more on the blue side of the color wheel, they symbolize happiness and tranquility;

･ Magenta lilacs symbolize love and passion;

- In traditional Chinese medicine, the orchid was used to help cure coughs and lung illnesses, whereas in China, in general, orchids are primarily symbols of beauty and good taste. They are also symbols of wealth, power, respect and admiration;

- They have a similar symbolism in Japan: They’re said to represent purity and elegance, and the royal family considered them symbols of wealth and power;

- In ancient Greece, orchids were associated with virility and male fertility - it was believed that the tubers of certain orchid species could be eaten to increase a man's sex drive and potency. The Ancient Greeks also believed that eating the tubers could determine the sex of a child: Men would eat large root tubers if they wanted a boy, while women would eat small root tubers if they wanted a girl;

- To the Aztecs, orchids were symbols of strength and power. They would mix vanilla orchids* with cocoa to create an elixir that supposedly promoted strength and courage in battle;

 

- The Victorians were so mystified by the orchid’s irresistible beauty that they collected and displayed them like treasures - therefore, during the Victorian Age, orchids were seen as symbols of supreme luxury and wealth. Only the very rich could afford to have orchids in their homes, as they were extremely difficult to grow and care for;

･ Blue Orchids - There’s no better bloom than a blue orchid for someone you think of as beautiful in a unique way all their own. This particular blue flower symbolizes its uncommon yet natural beauty that can also be found in the people we hold near and dear to our hearts. In addition to beauty, rarity, and uniqueness, the blue orchid is also a symbol of spirituality;

･ Yellow Orchids - As a cheerful, happy, and optimistic colored flower, yellow orchids are a symbol of friendship, new beginnings, and joy. This brilliant bright bloom is perfect to send to long-distance friends, to encourage a new chapter in somebody’s life, or to spread cheer;

･ White Orchids - Often seen as symbols of purity and innocence. They can be given as a sign of appreciation, respect, or reverence. White orchids can also be used to convey a message of hope or new beginnings;

･ Black orchids - which are not truly black; they’re usually over-pigmented red or purple orchids that are so dark they only appear to be black. These blooms are said to represent mystery, power, and sophistication. They can also convey a message of strength, determination, absolute power and authority;

･ As with most red blooms, red orchids are associated with desire, passion and love. They can be given as a way to say "I love you" or to express deep affection. Red orchids can also be used to symbolize strength, courage and respect;

･ Pink Orchids - As a symbol of grace, gentleness, innocence, happiness, playfulness, and fertility, pink orchids prove to be a sweet bloom. This pink flower is perfect to gift for growing families and expecting mothers to help celebrate their new bundle of joy. Pink orchids are also a great addition to the decor for baby showers, baptisms, and even weddings;