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Top 10 Flowers That Symbolize Beauty

Top 10 Flowers That Symbolize Beauty

Seeing something so beautiful at times can make you want to stand up, smile, and shout about your happiness.

However, this is not often socially acceptable, which is why it is possible to give flowers as a gift that represents and symbolizes beauty.

While most flowers appear beautiful in nature, there are a few particular flowers that are meant to represent the beauty in others as well as the world around us.

Flowers that symbolize beauty are: Lilies, Calla lily, Dahlia, Spider Lily, Lotus, Beauty Bush, Magnolia, Chrysanthemum, Hibiscus and Plumeria.

1. Lilies

White Lilies.
White Lilies
Image by Eleonora Sky from Pexels

Lilies are found on many lists, as they represent everything from positive purity to refined beauty and sadness, and come from the genus of herbaceous flowering plants.

However, most people who have an affinity for lilies do so because of the sheer beauty they present. Lilies come in a range of colors, from white and orange to yellow.

If you are thinking of giving a lily that represents purity and love or beauty, you can do so with the white lily.

The lily is not only symbolic of purity, but also of refined beauty and how the world appears to everyone from the outside.

The lily of the valley is a common flower to display or to give as a gift to showcase admiration and to compliment someone’s beauty.

2. Calla lily

Calla lily.
Calla lily
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Along the same lines as the traditional lily, the calla lily can be quite translated into the word ‘beauty’.

In Ancient Greek mythology, calla lilies are meant to represent magnificent and utter beauty alongside hope and faith, making these some of the most positive and optimistic flowers in the bunch.

Greek mythology also states that calla lilies were created by the wife of the Greek God Zeus, also known as Hera.

According to legend, calla lilies bloomed all around the earth as Hera was in the middle of raising her and Zeus’s child.

As the flowers bloomed, drops of milk also began to fall from the sky from the middle of outer space, thus raining over the lands.

Although calla lilies are available in various colors today, using white to represent innocence, purity, and beauty is most common.

You can also consider using a pink calla lily to display your admiration and affection for another while also showing appreciation for their own beauty, especially when giving the calla lily as a gift.

3. Dahlia

Dahlia Flower Rose.
Dahlia Flower Rose
VinayarajCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Dahlia flower is a geometric wonder that comes from a genus of more than 42 species in total.

The Dahlia flower is in the family of Asteraceae and can be found throughout both South America as well as Central America.

While rare, the Dahlia flower is one of the world’s most popularized flowers, especially in media and movies today.

The Dahlia flower comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, although not many flowers throughout the flower kingdom come close to replicating the overarching design of the flower itself.

It is not entirely known where the word ‘Dahlia’ is derived from, although there are thoughts that the Swedish botanist who went by the name of Anders Dahl is responsible for naming the flower.

The Dahlia flower is known for its beautiful blooming appearance and symbolizes grace, confidence, elegance, and of course, beauty.

4. Spider Lily

Red Spider Lily.
Red Spider Lily
Jim Evans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are a fan of the lily flower, you may have heard of the spider lily.

The spider lily, also known as the swamp lily, or scientifically, the crinum flower, is a weeping and flowing flower that comes from a family of more than 100 species.

Known to the Amaryllidaceae family, the spider lily flower and plant can be found in warmer areas throughout Australia, Southern Asia, and even in some parts of Africa.

The spider lily is extremely fragrant and includes long petals that drape, giving the plant a spider-like appearance.

The genus name of the spider lily is derived from ‘krinon’, a Greek word that can be loosely translated into ‘white lily’, as most of the spider lilies today also have white versions that are commonplace.

Because of the delicate nature and appearance of the spider lily, it is symbolic of beauty, kindness, and tenderness.

5. Lotus

Pink Lotus.
Pink Lotus
Hong Zhang (jennyzhh2008), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The lotus flower, also commonly referred to as the Nelumbo flower, symbolizes beauty, freedom, rebirth, and regeneration all in one.

The lotus is one of the most mystical and symbolic flowers around the world today, as it has always had a special place in the hearts of most cultures and ancient belief systems.

The lotus, or the Nelumbo flower, is only one of 2 flowers in its species.

The lotus flower is also from the Nelumbonaceae family, and is considered an aquatic tropical plant that can be found throughout North America as well as Australia and some parts of Asia.

The lotus flower includes disc-shaped leaves that provide more stability when afloat on top of a water surface.

Lotus flowers are extremely symbolic in the West as well as throughout Eastern cultures.

In most cultures and belief systems today, the lotus flower represents all that is beautiful, pure, and graceful in the world.

It can also represent devotion, rebirth, and a wealth of knowledge that is collected over time.

6. Beauty Bush

Beauty bush - Linnaea amabilis (Kolkwitzia) blooming in late spring.
Beauty bush – Linnaea amabilis (Kolkwitzia) blooming in late spring

The Kolkwitzia, also known as the Beauty Bush, is a one-of-a-kind bush flower that is the only one in its entire genus and species.

The beauty bush originated in China, and belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. This family of plants and flowers is more commonly known as the honeysuckle family.

The Kolkwitzia is extremely lush and has a mild scent while appearing light pink and white in color.

The name Kolkwitzia was originally from Richard Kolkwitz, a botanist who discovered the flower in Berlin.

The flower itself is beautiful to gaze at and does not have a single characteristic that makes it invasive, which is why it is one of the best symbols of grace and beauty in the flower kingdom.

7. Magnolia

Magnolia Flower.
Magnolia Flower
DavetheMage, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The magnolia flower has an essence of elegance and grace and is part of more than 200 species, derived from the Magnoliaceae family.

The magnolia flower can be found in both subtropical as well as tropical climates, which typically include both Central America and Asia.

Contrary to popular belief, the magnolia flower does not bloom on its own and with a singular stem.

In fact, magnolias grow as a part of a tree or a shrub, producing large, rubber tree plant leaves that are bright vibrant white in color.

Magnolia flowers are extremely beautiful and produce glossy, white, classy leaves that encompass the feeling of summertime, which is why magnolias are known to symbolize and represent beauty.

8. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum flower in autumn.
Chrysanthemum flower

The Chrysanthemum, also known as the mum flower, is a genus of more than 40 species and belongs to the Asteraceae family of flowers.

You can find the Chrysanthemum flower mostly throughout Europe as well as pockets of Asia, although you have likely seen a Chrysanthemum if you are living in the Northern half of the US or the Southern half of Canada as well.

Chrysanthemums are some of the most well-known flowers in the world, and come in all colors and sizes ranging from orange and yellow to red, white, pink, and purple.

Because the Chrysanthemum has various meanings across different religions and cultures around the world, it is best to familiarize yourself with your own culture’s beliefs when it comes to mum flowers.

Most often, Chrysanthemums represent beauty, joy, and happiness, along with loyalty, friendship, and devotion.

9. Hibiscus

Hibiscus flower.
Hibiscus
Andy / Andrew Fogg from near Cambridge, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are a sucker for tropical, vibrant, spiritual flowers, you may find yourself drawn to the hibiscus flower.

Known for its expansive petals, flowy nature, and bright colors, the hibiscus flower also packs a punch when it comes to its scent.

For some, the hibiscus flower is the perfect representation of beauty and charm, and can also be associated with women and femininity in many cultures and traditions.

Hibiscus flowers have a rich history and are often associated with lessons that can be learned while experiencing life as a human being.

Hibiscus flowers also represent tenderness and everything that is delicate in life, which is why so many believe the hibiscus flower represents beauty.

10. Plumeria

Plumeria Floral Garland.
Plumeria Floral Garland
Bchachara, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For those who enjoy tropical flowers, the plumeria, also known as the Hawaiian Lei flower, is the pinnacle of finding natural beauty all around us in nature.

The Plumeria flower has thick leaves with gradients that include a variety of colors to help draw attention to the flower itself.

Plumeria flowers come from a genus of around 300 species in total and are part of the Apocynaceae family.

Finding the plumeria flower is possible if you are visiting Southern America, Mexico, Central America, and even the Caribbean.

Historically, plumeria flowers represent many different aspects of life. From beauty, charm, and grace, to new beginnings and immortality, the plumeria flower has taken on many roles.

Summary

Learning of the flowers in the world that represent beauty can help you to give the best gift possible when you are courting or when you want to show someone you love just how beautiful you think they are each day.