Nature of Flowers
The ornament of nature and the harbinger of spring, flowers evoke good vibes with their fragrance and exotic appearance. Sometimes it is an element that brings a smile to the face when visiting a patient, and an important helper in compensating for an apology. Of course, flowers, known for their colors, scent and beautifying the environment they are in, also have a meaning. Perhaps most of the flowers that we have so far only given meaning with roses and colors have also known stories. How about refreshing your knowledge about these flowers and their meanings? Here are the meanings of flowers and place in mythology.
Rose :
Rose, which we are used to seeing in red, pink, yellow, white and even black colors, has an attractive feature with its pleasant scent. Roses, which are considered to be the symbol of romance, reflect emotion, joy and sometimes disappointment. Roses that have inspired songs also carry a meaning according to their colors. Red roses mean I love you, pink roses mean I think of you, yellow roses mean goodbye and white roses mean marriage proposal. We can call it the most important flower symbolizing love. In our country, uniquely beautiful black roses are grown in Halfeti district of Urfa.
In mythology, the Rose is described as the symbol of Aphrodite and Venus, the Goddess of Beauty. The Red Rose is also referred to as a flower representing passion, lust and blood. In Roman times, when a nymph of a goddess died, the goddess of nature would create a rose for each deceased nymph. This flower was also equipped with thorns by Cupid for special protection.
There is also a myth about the subject in ancient Greece. It is rumored that the White Rose, a symbol of innocence, was born as a rose from the white foam of the sea by Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love.
Daisy :
Daisies, which evoke naturalness and can be found frequently in nature, remind us of the joy of life and naturalness. It is also a harbinger of a pure heart, good intentions and a love without ulterior motives. It is said that sometimes we resort to chamomile fortunes because we believe in the sincerity of this natural flower. It is a plant that makes you feel spirituality strongly.
In mythology, Chamomile is also told with a sad story. Astrea, the daughter of Zeus, known as the Father of the Gods in Greek mythology, is devoted to goodness and love. However, Astrea, who is affected by the evils on earth, cries and cannot bear this situation of people, one day asks Zeus to remove her from the world. Zeus cannot bear her insistence and her grief and sends his daughter to a point far away from the world. It is told that every tear shed by Astrea, who could not remain indifferent to the evils going on in the world above the clouds, turned into elegant daisies as they fell to the ground.
Carnation :
Carnations, which we see in pink, purple and white colors with an impressive scent, are a flower that can be grown at home and expresses love. Especially the longing for a loved one carries a meaning unique to carnations. It would not be wrong to say that different civilizations have attributed different meanings to carnations. It is a symbolic flower in the Netherlands as a symbol of resistance and struggle, and in France as a symbol of mourning when a loved one is lost. It is even rumored that the tears of the Virgin Mary at the funeral of Jesus Christ were identified with the carnation flower.
In mythology, carnations are called the flowers of the gods. According to a legend, Diana, known as the Goddess of the Hunter, thinks that her unsuccessful hunt was caused by the shepherd who was playing the flute at the time. And she wants to punish him. In that anger, Diana gouges out the shepherd’s eyes and regrets it. And carnations start to grow where the blood spilled. According to the story, the caarnation becomes a symbol of innocent clean blood and resistance against injustice.
Violet :
The violet flower, which already evokes warm feelings with its appearance, symbolizes pure love and sacrifice. This flower, which first appeared in England and then spread its roots around the world, is difficult to care for. The violet also emphasizes the importance of protecting a great love. Pansies, on the other hand, symbolize flirtatiousness, carefree and indecisiveness.
In mythology, violets, the color of wisdom, were considered the element of balance in nature. It is a symbol of the dimension between earth and heaven. The legend tells of the resurrection of Attis, the God of Earth, after he cut himself under a pine tree to capture his seasonal power.
Tulip :
As a mystical flower, it is believed to have powerful meanings, especially in the Far East and the Middle East. Tulips are mostly grown in the Netherlands. Although it has many different colors, each has its own meaning. For example; red tulip means passionate love, yellow tulip means sadness and unrequited love, purple tulip means nobility, white tulip means apology. In Sufi literature, it is said to bear the letters of Allah’s name. It derives from the Ottoman word Lal. In the 16th and 18th centuries, it became one of the symbol flowers of the Ottoman state and gave its name to a period.
In mythology, the tulip is the result of a natural event.
According to Persian mythology, lightning struck a green leaf and caused a dewdrop to catch fire. Afterwards, it is said that the tulip flower was formed. It is stated that the spots in the center of the flower are related to this.
Narcissus Flower :
It is an elegant flower with yellow and white colors that bends its neck from time to time. It is known for adapting to difficult seasonal conditions. With a height of about 80 centimeters, it is the representative of beauty and elegance. It also tells of hopeless love and resignation to separation. In Ancient Greece, it mostly symbolizes self-love and ego. The daffodil flower also carries the meaning of respect and value.
In mythology, the Narcissus Flower also appears with two different meanings. The first of these is that it is a flower that separates itself from everything with its unrequited hopeless love and beauty. In Greek mythology, Narcissos, the son of a fairy and a mortal, is in love with her. Because he shows no interest in Ekho, a mountain nymph who is in love with him, Ekho turns to stone. And she wants Narcissos to experience the same fate without turning into stone.
One day Narcissos goes to the spring and falls in love with the reflection he sees when he bends over the water. However, when he wants to touch it, it disappears. He dies there with this sadness. It is rumored that Narcissus flowers bloomed where he died. The Goddess of the Forest asks Pınar, who sheds tears for Narcissos, why she is crying. The Goddess of the Forest thinks that she is crying for his beauty. She asks if Narcissos was very handsome. Pınar replied, “I am not crying for his beauty, I could see my own beauty reflected in his eyes every time he leaned towards me. That’s why”.
Sunflower – Facing the Sun :
A flower symbolizing warmth, love and hope, the sunflower is also called sunflower because of its face facing the sun. It is resistant to cold and has abundant leaves. It symbolizes strength and faith. It also symbolizes joy, joy and abundance. Due to its appearance and position on the soil, it was sometimes said in antiquity that the Sunflower describes the Sun.
In mythology, the Sunflower appears in the story of Clytie, a Persian princess who fell in love with Apollo, the God of Music and Art. With her orange hair and blue eyes, Clytie fascinates everyone, but Apollo is her problem. Moreover, her love is not reciprocated in any way. She is devastated that Apollo is not in love with her but with her sister. Clytie, who waits for Apollo in the mountains and hills and wants him to appear to her, is exhausted from waiting in the burning heat of the sun and dies. Learning this, Apollo is devastated and begs Zeus. He asks him to do something for her. Zeus transforms Clytie into a sun-facing flower with yellow hair. Thus, Clytie will now live as a sunflower, watch him from the hills and continue to look at the sun.
Conclusion
The meanings of flowers have always been a subject of curiosity. The fact that flowers have featured in stories for centuries is one of the reasons for this curiosity. May flowers, nature’s gift to us, always bring life to your life.