In these modern times, it is quite common, in fact it is the norm, for people to give one another magnificent bunches of flowers without giving much thought to their contents beyond the colours and the shapes of the various blooms. In years gone by, however, flowers held far more potent, and specific, messages. Here's a quick glance at a few famous blossoms that still come with their own cultural histories attached.
To begin with a popular classic, the rose remains one of the most metaphorical flowers in our culture. A bouquet of roses stands for love and beauty and has had its message immortalised by the many writers and artists who have used it heavily in their work.
The poppy flower holds a particular significance in both Britain and France thanks to its infamous appearance over the battle grounds of the world wars. Adorned by many in order to remember the terrible losses sustained during the two world wars of the previous century, the poppy is an iconic image of bloodshed and commemoration.
Many florists now claim that varieties of the lily are their some of their best selling blooms. Nowadays, of course, lilies are a popular favourite. For many, however, their presence still connotes death and loss, as traditionally they are a flower saved for funereal occasions.
The sunflower is a simplistic symbol. Sunny by name and sunny by nature, the sunflower looks and smells just as summertime should. Many people plant them at the back of their gardens where they may grow as tall as they can and continue to spread their sunny beams over all the other blooms in flower.
The bluebell is often considered to be rather an old fashioned bloom in today's floral market, however traditionalists and romantics may be interested to learn that not so long ago the bluebell was the undisputed symbol of everlasting love. Anyone looking for a romantic gesture and a refreshing change from a dozen red roses should keep their eyes open for the delicate bluebell flower.
While the rose is arguably the most famous and heavily symbolic bloom of the west, the lotus is the eastern equivalent. In many oriental cultures, the lotus flower boasts a special status. It often stands for all things godly and godlike and within the Hindu and Buddhist traditions it also represents freedom.
There are many websites dedicated to further floral information, going into greater detail about a greater number of species and their significances. To find out more, type a simple search into your favourite search engine and see what you can come up with.
Maricruz Tennill has flowers delivered from local flower shops regularly, where there are lots of flowers to choose from.
