Monthly Flower

Origin & History
The carnation — originally called dianthus by the Greek botanist Theopharastus — is native to the Near East and has been cultivated for the last 2,000 years. Some scholars believe that the name "carnation" comes from "coronation" or "corone" (flower garlands), as it was one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns. Others think the name stems from the Greek carnis (flesh), which refers to the original color of the flower, or incarnacyon (incarnation), which refers to the incarnation of God made flesh.

Sentiment & Symbolism
Carnations were known as "Jove's Flower" in ancient Rome as a tribute to one of their beloved gods. In Korea, a young girl places three carnations in her hair to tell her fortune. If the top flower dies first, her last years of life will be difficult; if it's the middle flower, her earlier years will bring the most grief. Worst of all, if the bottom flower dies first, the poor girl will be miserable her whole life!

Colour Messages
For the most part, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction. Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red denote deep love and affection. White carnations indicate pure love and good luck; striped symbolize a regret that a love cannot be shared. Green carnations are for St. Patrick's Day; purple carnations indicate capriciousness.

Pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance. According to Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross. The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus he pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love, and in 1907 was chosen by Ann Jarvis as the emblem of Mother's Day, now observed in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May.

 

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Origin & History
Napoleon was a devout fan of the violet: when he married Josephine, she wore violets, and on every wedding anniversary he sent her a violet bouquet. In 1814, before leaving for his exile in St. Helena, Napoleon asked to visit Josephine's tomb. There he picked the violets that were found in a locket around his neck when he died. The French Bonapartists thus chose the violet as their emblem, and Napoleon was nicknamed "Corporal Violet."

Sentiment & Symbolism
Greek legend tells of a nymph named Io, who was beloved by Zeus. To hide her from Hera, his wife, Zeus changed Io into a white cow. When Io wept over the taste and texture of the coarse grass, Zeus changed her tears into dainty, sweet-smelling violets only she was permitted to eat. Roman myth tells a different story, one of lovely maids of antiquity who became the victims of Venus' wrath when Cupid judged them more beautiful than her. In her jealous fury, Venus beat the maidens until they became blue, and thus turned into violets.
To dream of violets is a promise of advancement in life. It is said that a garland of violets worn about the head prevents dizziness. They are considered a good luck gift to any woman in any season, but where violets bloom in autumn, epidemics will follow within the year.

Colour Messages
Violets are a symbol of faithfulness. Blue violets say "I'll always be true" and signify constancy; white violets depict modesty, or the desire to "take a chance on happiness"; and yellow violets convey modest worth.

 

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Origin & History
The daffodil, also known as the jonquil or narcissus, is believed to have been brought to Britain by the Romans, who mistakenly believed that its sap could heal wounds. (In fact, daffodil sap contains sharp crystals that prevent animals from eating the flower. While it did little to heal the Romans' wounds, it succeeded in further irritating their skin!)

Sentiment & Symbolism
Today, people associate the bright, yellow daffodil as a symbol of rebirth — a sign of the new beginnings that come with spring. Indeed, the daffodil is the birthday flower for March, the month in which the spring equinox begins. Daffodils are said to bring good fortune to the person who avoids trampling on them. Lest they bring unhappy vanity to the bride, daffodils should never be present at a wedding.

The Greeks originally associated daffodils with death. According to Greek myth, daffodils grew in the meadows of the Underworld, kingdom of the dead. It was here that Hades captured Persephone after she had strayed from her companions to pick some daffodils. The daffodil's alternate name, narcissus, is associated with the handsome Greek youth Narcissus. While walking by a river one day, Narcissus stooped to take a drink. Wanting to possess the image of himself he saw in the water, he leaned further over and drowned. The daffodil's "drooping" is said to symbolize Narcissus still stooping to admire himself.

Colour Messages
While daffodils can be taken to say, "my fond hopes have been dashed by your behaviour," they mostly say, "the sun is always shining when I'm with you." For the most part, daffodils signify unrequited love, great regard and respect, and chivalry.

 

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Sweet Pea flowers in the summer and has large flowers of red, white, pink, purple, blue, and yellow. The flowers of the Perennial Sweet Pea are not fragrant; however, the annual Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Odoratus) in fragrant. The Sweet Pea can grow on trellises and fences and likes full sun and a well-drained soil.
The sweet pea is popularly known as the "Queen of Annual

Sweet pea flowers naturally self pollinate while still in bud. They are not edible, being somewhat poisonous if eaten in quantity.
They come in a large range of colors, but not yellow.
Botanical Name: Lathyrus Oduratus which means Thinking of You
The meaning of Sweet Pea is blissful pleasure.

 

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Origin & History
In early spring days, the creeping rhizome, or underground stem, sends up quill-like shoots emerging from a scaly sheath. As they lengthen and uncoil, they are seen to consist of two leaves, their stalks sheathing one within the other, rising directly from the rhizome on long, narrowing foot-stalks, one leaf often larger than the other. The plain, oval blades, with somewhat concave surfaces, are deeply ribbed and slant a little backwards, thus catching the rain and conducting it by means of the curling-in base of the leaf, as though in a spout, straight down the foot-stalk to the root. At the back of the leaves, lightly enclosed at the base in the same scaly sheath, is the flower-stalk, quite bare of leaves itself and bearing at its summit a number of buds, greenish when young, each on a very short stalk, which become of the purest white, and as they open turn downwards, the flowers hanging, like a pearl of fairy bells, each bell with the edges turned back with six small scallops. The six little stamens are fastened inside the top of the bell, and in the centre hangs the ovary. There is no free honey in the little flowers, but a sweet, juicy sap is stored in a tissue round the base of the ovary and proves a great attraction to bees, who also visit the flower to collect its pollen and who play an important part in the fertilization of the flowers.

By September, the flowers have developed into scarlet berries, each berry containing vermilion flesh round a pale, hard seed. Though the plant produces fruit freely under cultivation, its propagation is mainly effected by its quickly-creeping underground stem, and in the wild state its fruit rarely comes to maturity. Its specific name, Majalis, or Maialis, signifies 'that which belongs to May,' and the old astrological books place the plant under the dominion of Mercury, since Maia, the daughter of Atlas, was the mother of Mercury or Hermes.

Sentiment & Symbolism
The lily of the valley signifies the return of happiness. Legend tells of the affection of a lily of the valley for a nightingale that did not come back to the woods until the flower bloomed in May.
There is an old Sussex legend that St. Leonard fought against a great dragon in the woods near Horsham, only vanquishing it after a mortal combat lasting many hours, during which he received grievous wounds, but wherever his blood fell, Lilies-of-the-Valley sprang up to commemorate the desperate fight, and these woods, which bear the name of St. Leonard's Forest to this day, are still thickly carpeted with them.

Legend says that the fragrance of the Lily-of-the-Valley draws the nightingale from hedge and bush, and leads him to choose his mate in the recesses of the glade.

The Lily-of-the-Valley is one of the British-grown plants included in the Pharmacopoeia, and its medicinal virtues have been tested by very long experience. Although not in such general use as the Foxglove, it is still prescribed by physicians with success. Its use dates back to ancient times, for Apuleius in his Herbal written in the fourth century, declares it was found by Apollo and given by him to Æsculapius, the leech.

 

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Origin & History
Fossil evidence shows that roses have existed since prehistoric times. The first cultivated roses appeared in Asian gardens more than 5,000 years ago. Roses were introduced to Europe during the Roman Empire, where they were mainly used for ornamental purposes. Cleopatra is said to have scattered rose petals before Mark Anthony's feet; Nero released roses from the ceiling during extravagant feasts and banquets.

Sentiment & Symbolism
Roses, it is said, blushed with shame as God expelled Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. According to Roman legend, a number of suitors were keen on marrying a beautiful woman named Rodanthe, but she did not care for any of them. Despite her ambivalence, the suitors continued to woo Rodanthe so zealously that they broke through the doors of her home. Angered by their actions and wanting to teach the suitors a lesson, the goddess Diana turned Rodanthe into a rose, and her suitors into thorns.
The rose is the flower emblem of England. According to English superstition, if the petals fall from a fresh-cut red rose, bad luck will soon follow. The red rose is the badge of the House of Lancaster and the flower of Eros and Cupid. In Wales, the white rose represents innocence and silence, and is thus placed on the grave of a young child. To Native Americans, the white rose symbolizes security and happiness, and is often worn during wedding ceremonies. The white rose is the badge of the House of York and the flower of the Virgin Mary.

Colour Messages
Exquisite and radiant, the rose is the principal messenger of love. A single rose denotes perpetual love; two roses of any color taped or wired together signify a commitment or forthcoming marriage.

Single Colour Meanings
Red roses of any hue say "I love you"; deep red roses imply unconscious beauty.
White roses signify spiritual love and purity; bridal white means happy love.
Today, yellow roses signify joy and gladness; historically, they meant a decrease of love and infidelity.
Coral roses imply desire; orange say "I am fascinated and enthusiastic."
Lavender roses mean love at first sight
Light pink roses imply grace, gentility and admiration; dark pink roses say "thank you."
In general, pale-colored roses signify friendship.
Combined Colour Meanings
Red and yellow roses mixed together say "Congratulations!"
Yellow and orange roses together imply passionate thoughts.
Red and white roses signify unity.

 

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Origin & History
The larkspur and the delphinium are close relatives; both are named for the shape of their flowers. The delphinium flower resembles the bottle-like nose of a dolphin; as a result, delphinium comes from the Greek word delphis, meaning "dolphin." The spur, on the other hand, reminded some people of parts of the lark; hence "larkspur," "lark's heel," and "lark's claw." Its more delicate foliage differentiates it from the delphinium.

Sentiment & Symbolism
The delphinium is the birth flower for the month of July, and was used by West Coast Native Americans to make blue dye. European settlers used ground delphinium flowers to make ink. The most ancient use of the delphinium was as a strong external medicine thought to drive away scorpions.

According to Greek legend, Achilles' mother requested that her son's armor be given to the most heroic Greek warrior during the Battle of Troy. To the dismay of the brave warrior Ajax, the armour was awarded to Ulysses. Dejected, Ajax threw himself on his sword, and small blue delphiniums sprung from the blood that fell to the ground. Delphinium petals are marked with the Greek letters AI, the Greek cry of mourning.

Colour Messages
Delphiniums signify an open heart and ardent attachment; larkspurs generally symbolize lightness and swiftness

 

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Origin & History
The name "gladiolus" is derived from the Latin word gladius, meaning "sword," for the shape of its leaves. An ancient name for the gladiolus was "xiphium," from the Greek word xiphos, also meaning sword. African gladioli were imported in large quantities to Europe from South Africa during the 18th century.

Sentiment & Symbolism
The gladiolus flower is the birth flower for August; it also represented the Roman gladiators. Before the African gladioli became popular in the West, the Mediterranean and British gladiolus flowers were used to treat physical ailments. The English used the gladiolus flower's stem base (corms) as a poultice and for drawing out thorns and splinters; powdered corms mixed with goat's milk was commonly used to soothe the symptoms of colic.

Colour Messages
The gladiolus flower signifies remembrance. It also expresses infatuation, telling the receiver that he or she "pierces the heart."

 

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Origin & History
The English called asters both "asters" and "starworts". Aster, Latin for "star," referred to the flower's star-like shape, while wort meant "root," which then applied to plants with healing properties. There are over 600 species of aster, the most popular being the Monte Casino.

Sentiment & Symbolism
Asters are the birth flower for September, and the herb of the goddess Venus. Ancient people believed that the odour of the leaves of the aster, when burnt, drove away serpents. Asters were laid on the graves of French soldiers to symbolize afterthought and the wish that things had turned out differently. One myth tells that asters were created from stardust when Virgo looked down from the heavens and wept. The poet Virgil holds that the altars of the gods were were often adorned with asters.

Colour Messages
Asters convey an afterthought or variety, except in China, where they signify fidelity.

 

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Origin & History
The English Marigold or calendula's genus name, wor calendae, means "throughout the months."

A member of the marigold family, calendula was valued historically for its medicinal and culinary uses. An ancient beverage made from a mixture of calendula blossoms in wine was said to soothe indigestion. Calendula petals were used in ointments that cured skin irritations, jaundice, sore eyes, and toothaches. The Romans used calendula mixed with vinegar to season their meat and salad dishes.

Sentiment & Symbolism
Early Christians called calendula "Mary's Gold," and placed it by the statues of the Virgin Mary. The most sacred flower of ancient India, calendula stems and flower heads were strung into garlands and placed around the necks of holy statues.

Since the calendula's flower head follows the sun, it is sometimes called "summer's bride" or "husbandman's dial." The calendula flower means "winning grace" in the language of flowers.

 

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Origin & History
Commonly called "mums" or "tansies," this popular perennial's name comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower). The Chusan daisy became the "pompom chrysanthemum" — so called because in France, where it was first grown, it looked like the pompons on sailors' hats.
Chrysanthemums had been cultivated in Chinese gardens for more than 2,500 years before first being exhibited in England in 1795. Brought by visiting Buddhist monks, the chrysanthemum arrived in Japan in AD 400.

Sentiment & Symbolism
The chrysanthemum has been the focus of Oriental adulation for centuries.

In China, the chrysanthemum's association with autumn stems from its tendency to bloom in the fall. Consequently, the ancient Chinese chose the Chrysanthemum ("chu hua") as their Flower for October, a symbol of the rest and ease that followed the season's final harvest. Mums were considered one of the four Chinese "noble plants" (the others being bamboo, the plum, and the orchid), and were the official badge of the Old Chinese Army. Since chrysanthemums were considered the flower of the Chinese noble class, they were prohibited in a lower-class person's garden. The Chinese believe that a chrysanthemum given to one's beloved, after its being used to wipe one's mouth after drinking wine, will ensure undying love and fidelity.

Called "kikus" in Japanese, chrysanthemums were featured on the Imperial Crest of Japan, and were so beloved by Japanese emperors that they sat upon chrysanthemum thrones. The Japanese still hold the chrysanthemum as a symbol of the sun, and they consider the orderly unfolding of the mum's petals to be a symbol of perfection. They also presume that a single chrysanthemum petal placed in the bottom of a wine glass encourages a long and healthy life.

Colour Messages
While chrysanthemums generally denote cheerfulness and rest, individual colours do carry specific messages: red for love, good luck and best wishes; white for truth; and yellow for slighted love. Chrysanthemums will be welcomed throughout the British Isles and North America for any occasion. In Italy, however, their exclusive association with the dead makes chrysanthemums acceptable only for funerals.

 

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The legend of the flower Narcissus

Born at thespia, in Beortia, son of the river Cephissus (we shall later encounter the water that held the image) and the nymph Liriope (leirion, the lily, will eventually be metamorphosed, as the myth tells it, into that other flower of moist areas, the funeral narcissus), Narcissus is a youth whose beauty is as dazzling as he is scornful. Spurning youngsters of both sexes alike, Narcissus encounters a prefiguration of his doubling in a watery reflection in the person of the nymph Echo. In love with him but spurned, Echo, who can only repeat the words of others, (Juno willed it so in order to punish her for having overly protected the adulterous loves of her father, Saturn), ends up by wasting away, "her body dries and shrivels" and "then she is voice only, for the bones are turned to stone." Finally Narcissus' deluded lovers ask of Nemesis. the Goddess of Rhamnus, that he may "love one day, so, himself, and not win over the creature whom he loves." The punishment is carried out when, bent over a spring to quench his thirst during a hunt, the youth is seized with thirst of a different sort: "As he tried to quench his thirst ... he saw an image in the pool, and fell in love with that unbodied hope, and found a substance in what was only shadow."
We are here confronted with what we can but call the vertigo of a love with no object other than a mirage. Ovid marvels, fascinated and terrified, at the sight of a twin aspect of the lure that will nevertheless continue to nourish the West's Psychological and intellectual life for centuries to come. On the one hand there is rapture at the sight of a non object, simple product of the eyes' mistake; on the other, there is the power of the image, "what you seek is nowhere. The vision is only shadow, only reflection, lacking any substance. It comes with you, it stays with you, it goes away with you, if you can go away."
One then witnesses an erotic scene between Narcissus and his double, all woven with impossible embraces, missed kisses, deluded contacts. With the eye, the mouth is the main organ of amorous longing, like the skin that is frustrated by a "thin film of water" that keeps them apart.
At last the moment of understanding is at hand. After many frustrations, Narcissus gathers that he is, actually, in a world of "signs": "You nod and beckon when I do, your lips, it seems, answer when I am talking though what you say I cannot hear." The exertion for deciphering leads him to knowledge, to self- knowledge. "He is myself! I feel it, I know myself now."
We have reached the crux of the drama: "What shall I do?... What I want is with me, my riches make me poor. If I could only escape from my own body!"
The tragedy reaches a higher level when Narcissus, at the moment when his tears disturb the pool, realizes not only that the loved image is his own, but furthermore that it can disappear -- as if he had thought that, for want of touching, he could nevertheless be satisfied with contemplation alone ("let me keep looking at you always"), which has henceforth also become impossible. In desperation he "beat his bare breast with hands as pale as marble"; and so Narcissus dies at the edge of his image and Ovid adds, "Even in Hell he found a pool to gaze in, watching his image in the Stygian waters;" When mourners, whose lamentations Echo repeats, prepare the funeral pile and seek his body, "they found nothing." Through a strange resurrection, the narcissus flower has taken his place.

Botanical Name: Narcissi

 

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