Top 11 Flowers That Symbolize Peace

Throughout many events in history, flowers have been given as peace offerings and used to display grief and mourning.

If you are looking for a way to demonstrate peace, familiarizing yourself with flowers that symbolize peace is essential.

Understanding why certain flowers have been associated with peace and tranquility can help with finding appropriate flowers whenever you are in need.

Flowers that symbolize peace are: Lavender, Olive Branch, White Poppy, Peace Lily, Hyacinth, Apple Blossoms, Lotus Flower, Violets, The Cosmo Flower, Peony, and Chamomile.

1. Lavender

You have likely heard of lavender oils and using lavender for aromatherapy, and for good reason.

The lavender flower not only has anti-inflammatory and calming properties, but it symbolizes peace, tranquility, purity, and serenity, making it one of the most notable flowers that symbolize peace today.

Additionally, the purple lavender color of the flower itself represents the crown chakra in Hindu and Eastern religions, which is directly connected to spirituality and a higher state of being.

Lavenders are known for their ability to provide calmness as well as harmony wherever they grow.

2. Olive Branch

At some point throughout your life, you may have heard the term “lending an olive branch”, when discussing a disagreement or a falling out between at least two individuals.

The olive branch is often a term used to represent forgiveness or choosing to set aside differences in order to work together.

However, the history of the olive branch can be dated all the way back to Greco-Roman culture, where olive branches were extremely popular throughout the Mediterranean and thought of as a symbol of victory and peace.

After the victory and rise of the Romans, olive branches became even more symbolic of peacetime.

In some areas, olive branches themselves were used as tangible “peace tokens”.

3. White Poppy (Commonwealth Realms)

The white poppy is a common flower that is typically displayed or used during remembrance events and celebrations of life.

In the UK, it is common for white poppies to be used during the holiday of Remembrance Day.

This tradition began in the early 1930s when it became commonplace to use white poppy flowers as a symbol of peace and avoiding war at all costs.

Originally, white poppies were typically displayed and worn as a symbol of hope and peace, recognizing all of the victims who had been lost in the war at the time.

Along with being a popular symbol of peace, the white poppy has also been used in gastronomy, or cooking, as well as medicinally, for its healing properties.

White poppy has been known for its medicinal properties dating all the way back to the Roman, Greek, and even Persian civilizations.

The plant contains opioid properties as well as oils that are considered antispasmodic and sedative, making the plant ideal for assisting with diarrhea.

White poppies are also known to assist as a nerve stimulant when administered properly.

For those who are seeking pain relief, the white poppy is known for the codeine and morphine it contains in the plant itself.

4. Peace Lily

The peace lily is a unique flower in its appearance and with its white blossom, but it is typically referred to as a universal symbol of peace.

Peace lilies are native to both Southeast Asia and Central America. However, the name peace lily was not given to the flower until the 1950s, which was simply used to describe the plant as being ornamental in nature.

The peace lily is part of the Spathiphyllum genus as well as the Arum and Araceae families. The Latin word “Spathiphyllum” is derived from the Greek word “spathe”, which can be translated into a leaf-like flower, or the peace lily itself.

The actual discovery of the peace lily can be dated all the way back to 1824, when Gustav Wallis, a German plant explorer, found and collected the flower from the Colombian jungle.

The peace lily is used to represent innocence, peacetime, hope, optimism, healing, purity, and even longevity.

A peace lily can be displayed to provide a harmonious environment, to apologize to someone, or even with the hopes of making a new friend.

Because peace lilies can be used to ask for forgiveness or even to recognize bonds of love and affection, the peace lily is considered an all-around positive flower.

5. Hyacinth

The hyacinth’s history is extremely complex, as the hyacinth is known as the flower of Apollo, the Sun God.

Apollo was also known as the god of goodness, which is why the hyacinth flower is so closely associated with the notion of peace itself.

As known in Greek mythology, Hyacinth was actually the name of Apollo’s lover, who just so happened to also be his hero.

Once Hyacinth had died, Apollo created the hyacinth flower as part of his grieving process.

The flower was said to have been created using Hyacinth’s blood and represents peace and forgiveness.

The hyacinth flower on its own is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, and can be found throughout Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and even Iraq.

The hyacinth first became popular throughout the 16th century, and is still widely known and symbolic throughout many of the world’s regions today.

6. Apple Blossoms

If you are fond of white and pink floral displays but enjoy flowers that are also unique in design, apple blossoms are a great symbol of peace and rebirth.

Oftentimes, apple blossoms are referred to as not only a symbol of peace but also as a symbol of fruitfulness as well.

Apple blossoms are one of the flowers that are commonly associated with fertility, the reproductive system, and successfully giving life to new birth.

Because apple blossoms appear before fruit begins to bud, it is also considered a sign of good luck and in many cultures, apple blossoms are a representation of peace all around.

7. Lotus Flower

Lotus flowers are some of the most unique and distinct flowers in human history, and they have a rich history to boot.

Even today, Buddhists believe that the lotus flowers not only represent peace, but also internal calmness and wholeness.

The lotus flower can represent allowing any negativity to flow through you while maintaining your position and stance at all times.

Best of all, the lotus flower comes in a wide range of colors for everyone.

While lotus flowers come in a wide range of colors, it is important to note that most often, it is the pink lotus that is used when referencing or symbolizing peace.

The pink lotus represents being able to remain floating and beautiful above the water, even during the midst of intense rains and storms.

The white lotus, on the contrary, represents not only purity and innocence, but also spiritual growth and wisdom, indicating that an individual’s mind has become fully one with the outside universe and everything within.

8. Violets

Violets have a rich and deeply rooted history that stems all the way back to Roman tradition.

The Romans believed that violets were extremely pure and that they were the ultimate symbol of healing and peace.

The violet color is also aligned with the belief of the crown chakra color, which is also violet and symbolic of connection with spirit and spirituality.

The violet color of these gorgeous flowers is also representative of growth, expansion, and tranquility, which is why violets are often referred to as a symbol of peace.

9. The Cosmo Flower

Cosmo flowers are simple and sweet, but pack a punch in terms of vibrancy and brightness.

Cosmo flowers are simplistic in nature, but provide a stark contrast against a field of green and a sky of blue.

In history, the word “cosmo” is derived from the Greek word, “kosmos”. The word “kosmos” can be translated into “harmony” as well as a balanced world.

Cosmo flowers are symbolic of the universe’s ability to remain constantly balanced and in harmony.

10. Peony

The peony flower is a bright and vibrant flower with many different meanings that relate to peace, hope, and prosperity, especially in Eastern countries and religions.

In countries such as China and Japan, peonies are not only a symbol of peace, but they are also recognized as a symbol of harmony, bliss, as well as good fortune for those who lean into the superstitious.

11. Chamomile

Do you drink chamomile tea or enjoy chamomile herbs in other beverages and even while bathing?

Chamomile is known for its calming properties, which is why it is so closely associated with tranquility, peace, and harmony.

In some regions around the world, chamomile flowers represent rebirth, as chamomile flowers have an extended bloom period compared to other flowers in the same genus.

The herb is still used today, not only for its aromatic calming properties but also for its ability to assist in curing and soothing a number of common ailments.

Summary

Demonstrating a peaceful sentiment, showing that you intend to make peace, or simply displaying a flower that symbolizes peace are all possibilities with the right flower.

Once you understand why certain flowers symbolize peace and why they are often associated with peaceful situations and environments, you can then choose flowers that are appropriate for any peaceful scenario you may find yourself in.

References

• https://www.floweraura.com/blog/top-10-flowers-symbolise-peace