Floral symbolism is closely connected with the history, traditions and events of different countries. Each flower has a special meaning. Being a part of wildlife, the flower embodies life and beauty, but for each nation and state it has its own meaning. For example, in Japan, the chrysanthemum is considered a symbol of the heavenly bodies, but the Italians – the flower of death and burial. As a sign of love and respect, the Chinese present peonies, and the British present forget–me-nots. Ignorance of the floral symbolism of different countries and faiths can become a symbol of spoiled relationships, a negative attitude towards the outcome of a business meeting.
The role of the rose in the historical symbolism of various states.
Many countries have chosen as their symbol precisely those flowers that are closely connected with national and political history. For example, roses beloved by millions were revered by ancient peoples. Images of roses left by the ancient Greeks in 3000 BC were found on the island of Crete. The rose was also respected in Ancient Judea, and in Rome the “queen of flowers” was a symbol of beauty, bravery and bravery.
Roses were involved in religious rituals among the ancient Greeks. They decorated statues of goddesses with pink wreaths, and planted thick rose bushes near the temples of Aphrodite.
In the East, there is a legend that white roses grew from drops of sweat of the prophet Mohammed and have miraculous properties. But in the era of the decline of Roman civilization, the rose was a symbol of fun and drunken orgies. To this day, in Italy, the rose is considered a sign of ardent love and fleeting feelings.
In medieval France, roses had a high status. Not everyone was allowed to breed it. Those who received this privilege delivered these flowers to the city council on religious holidays. At the end of the XIII century, noble French women decorated their hair with pink wreaths, and by the beginning of the XVI century, in Provence, they annually chose the king and queen of roses.
However, the beautiful flower revered by many with a wonderful multifaceted aroma does not have a positive symbolism for every nation and state. In the history of medieval England, roses were considered a symbol of grief and bloodshed. The coat of arms of the warring dynasty, the Lancasters, depicted a scarlet rose, and the coat of arms of their opponents, the Yorks, was decorated with a white flower. After the end of the 30-year war in 1458, the descendants of the two warring clans tied the knot, putting an end to family feuds. Pink buds have become a symbol of the country, and flower growers have brought out a new variety of roses called York and Lancaster, on the bushes of which white and pink buds bloom.
By the way, in matters of floral heraldry, the Kingdom of Great Britain is considered a benchmark. Each region has its own floral symbol: the coat of arms of Scotland adorns the thistle as a symbol of protection from evil spirits, Northern Ireland – clover as a plant of good luck, and the symbolic flower of the county of Wales is the narcissus.
White lilies are a symbol of purity, luxury and divinity.
If the Egyptian rose is still a symbol of short life and fading beauty, then the lily represents freedom and hope.
In Paris, during the reign of Louis IX, the lily was the emblem of the royal family: fleur-de-lis (fleur-de-lis), or heraldic lily – a symbol of purity, chastity and fertility – decorated the coat of arms of the royal dynasty. According to French legend, after the adoption of Christianity, the royal ancestor was given a golden lily by an angel as a sign of purification. After that, the lily became the monarchical symbol of the aristocracy, which is still considered to be.
The most famous king of France during his lifetime was Louis IX (1226-1270). He was recognized as a saint during his lifetime. He was a participant in two Crusades.
Among many peoples, the white lily flower is associated with purity, innocence, and piety. The ancient Romans considered lilies to be a sign of exquisite taste and luxury. And the ancient Greeks attributed to them a divine origin. In the myths of Ancient Greece, it is said that the white flower arose from the drops of milk of the goddess Hera, the consort of the supreme God Zeus.
Flowers of folk symbols.
Red carnations are an unofficial symbol of Spain. Firstly, their cultivation, thanks to which the flowers are able to withstand the hot and dry climate of the country, and secondly, according to ancient traditions, the carnation is considered a talisman, and protects from evil spirits and troubles. Often, the carnation is perceived by Spaniards as a flower of passion and long-term business relationships based on active actions and quick decisions.
A rare edelweiss flower growing high in the Alps is considered the national symbol of Switzerland. Finding him is considered a great success in love and business.
The symbolism of flowers is an extremely extensive and interesting topic, knowledge of which will help to avoid mistakes and create an additional positive background during business negotiations, at official meetings and events. If you know that delphinium is considered by many peoples to be a symbol of honesty, violet – means benevolence, forget–me–not – constancy, and tulip – nobility, then a favorable floral sign will become a symbol of the beginning of success stories.
Earlier, the Online publication “Embassy Life” told about the History of the origin of the flower protocol.
Материал подготовили:
Olga Postnikova, Head of the Floral Protocol department of the Embassy Life Online publication, Creative Director of IFC (International Floral Code) – business floristry and landscaping, Managing Partner of the Radisson Slavyanskaya Floral Fashion House
Nadezhda Fedorova, Director of the Floral Protocol Department of the International Women’s Union, Commercial Director of IFC (International Floral Code) – business floristry and landscaping, Managing Partner of the Radisson Slavyanskaya Floral Fashion House
