We're looking at each and every one of you.
There's much more than meets the eye when it comes to summertime flowers: a bouquet of white hydrangeas might seem like the perfect summer hostess gift, but it turns out, the gesture has a historically negative connotation. (Next time, stick with lavender.) We've selected a handful of our favorite summer buds with surprisingly intricate meanings.
From: Town & Country
Aster
 |
| Getty |
The
daisy look-a-like gets its name from the Greek word "astron," meaning
star. With its wildflower appearance and multitude of colors, the aster
is a perennial favorite but blooms best in the summer. Among its color
variety, purple asters are most common and generally symbolize wisdom
and royalty. The flower overall suggests devotion, purity, and faith.
Peony
 |
| Getty |
Justly
one of the most popular wedding flowers, the peony is a symbol of good
fortune, a happy marriage, and everlasting prosperity. Perhaps their
happiness is why the flower comes in every color except blue. Their
blooming period is fleeting – late spring and early summer – so you best
learn how to plant them now. But don't let this strongly scented, proud
petaled flower fool you–the peony also represents bashfulness,
according to one Greek myth.
Morning Glory
 |
| Getty |
Morning
glories are named so for their fleeting lifespan, blooming after
sunrise and dying before nightfall that very evening. Because of their
short time in the sun, these colorful flowers represent unrequited or
restricted love – a warning to cherish the brief moments when love is in
reach. There are numerous folktales about how the flower drew this
meaning. It is said Victorians placed morning glories on the graves of
lovers to signify a love forever unreturned. On the other hand, in one
Chinese myth God banishes two lovers to separate sides of a river,
allowing them to meet just once a year.
[post_ads_2]
[post_ads_2]
Marigold
 |
| Getty |
Contrary
to modern views, marigolds were not always considered a delightfully
positive flower. Throughout many cultures, marigolds were thought of as a
link between death and love. They represented grief or despair for the
loss of a loved one – most notably shown in Mexican culture as the
marigold is the spearhead for Dia de Muertos ("Day of the Dead")
celebrations.
Shasta Daisy
 |
Getty
|
There
are many types of daisies – Ox-eye, Blue, Lazy, Prairie – but Shasta
Daisies are commonly known for their summer appearances because they
thrive in direct sunlight and don't need much water. These simple
flowers symbolize innocence and purity and have been graced with this
reputation for centuries. For instance, in Victorian times when a child
stumbled and fell, one would say "ups-a-daisy." Over time this phrase
altered to "whoops-a-daisy" or "oopsie-daisy," expressions uttered when
someone makes an innocent mistake.
Sunflower
 |
Getty
|
This
bright yellow flower is more than just a symbol of happiness and
vitality. According to the Greek myth of Apollo and Clytie, it also
represents unwavering adoration. The story tells of a water nymph named
Clytie who in her rage from Sun God Apollo's unrequited love, exposes
his relationship with Leucothoe. In anger, Apollo denied her further and
turned her into a flower. But despite this, she continued to gaze upon
him as he rode his chariot across the sky – just as the sunflower
loyally follows the sun's path from East to West throughout the day. As
the ultimate sign of devotion, sunflowers are typically gifted to
couples for their third wedding anniversary.
Lavender
 |
Getty
|
For
centuries, lavender has been lauded for its healing properties. It was
used as an insect repellent by the Romans, a perfume by the Greeks, and
in healing concoctions by monks in the Middle Ages. But being the color
of royalty, lavender's purple hue denotes refinement and luxury. The
flowers from a lavender plant are symbolic as well – gathered in a
bouquet, they represent devotion or luck.
Dahlia
 |
| Getty |
Dahlias
are most commonly symbolic of commitment and discovery. Some cultures
believe the common dahlia represents the ability to keep steadfast under
pressure, while others liken the flower with major life changes,
balance in life, or staying true to one's life partner. Of course, each
dahlia color represents something specific in this "commitment" or
"discovery." For example, blue and green dahlias are ideal for someone
who is about to go through a major life change or fresh start.
Hydrangea
 |
| Getty |
Although
there are many meanings for the hydrangea flower, two stand out. In
Oriental folklore, the Japanese emperor gives pink hydrangeas to express
sorrow for mistreating the girl he loves. Hydrangeas, especially pink
and blue varietals, have since been associated with heartfelt apologies.
The Victorians, on the other hand, considered hydrangeas to be symbols
of boastfulness. This was due to the flower's ability to produce
wonderful blooms, but little seeds. During the period, white hydrangeas
were given to those who were considered vain. It's a good thing you can
change the color of your hydrangeas just by shifting the soil!
