Top 5 Flowers That Symbolize Sisterhood

Sisterhood is one of the most important bonds women can have with one another, even if they are not directly related.

While most often, sisterhood refers to sisters who are related by blood and by genetics, sisterhood can also be defined as a metaphoric term of close female friends having a bond that is sisterly for years, if not decades throughout their lives.

Flowers that symbolize sisterhood represent strength, unconditional love, and unbreakable bonds between sisters and the best of friends.

Flowers that symbolize sisterhood are: Rose, Carnation, Daisy, Sunflower and Mum (Chrysanthemum).

1. Rose

When you first think of a rose flower, you may immediately picture a romance movie or song.

However, roses come in many different colors to symbolize everything from eternal and everlasting love to platonic friendship and sisterly love.

Descended from the Rosaceae plant family and from a genus of more than 150 species, the rose is one of the most popular rose hip-petalled flowers throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Roses come in many colors, from traditional deep reds to bright pinks, yellows, and even rare blues.

The word Rose comes from the Latin word “rosa”, which originated from the Greek word “rhodon”.

The word “rhodon” was used by both Romans and Greeks for the color red as well as for the word “flower”, which is why the rose is so popularized in culture today.

In some historical texts, it is also believed that the word “rose” comes from an Old Persian language word for flower, also known as “wurdi”.

If you are giving the gift of a rose but want to do so for your sister, you can do so with a yellow rose or a pink rose.

While red roses represent love and romance, white roses typically represent innocence, blue roses represent mysteries, and purple roses, enchantment, or love at first sight.

Giving your sister the gift of a yellow or light pink rose is a wonderful way to express your love and care.

2. Carnation

The carnation has a rich and vast history, in both Eastern and Western parts of the world.

There are many variations of the species, and the genus name, Dianthus caryophyllus, comes in many colors from red and pink to coral and white.

Carnations include silky, delicate petals that have stern and sturdy stems to hold them in place.

The carnation, or the dianthus, belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family and includes more than 300 species that can be found throughout Asia and Europe.

The genus name, Dianthus, originates from the word “dios”, a Greek word for “God“, as well as “anthos”, which can be translated directly into “flower”.

The carnation is known as the “heavenly flower” in many cultures and traditions around the world.

The flower is known to represent love, gratitude, passion, and admiration, which is why it is a perfectly suitable choice when giving a flower to your sister to represent your bond and the sisterhood you have with one another.

3. Daisy (Bellis)

The daisy, or the Bellis flower, belongs to the same family as sunflowers (Asteraceae plant family) and can be found throughout both northern Africa and Europe.

The Bellis genus has more than 10 species. Bellis, or daisy flowers, include simple basal leaves and singular flower heads that are often white with a yellow center.

Daisies are often considered friendly and hopeful flowers and have positive connotations.

The name Bellis is derived from a Latin word that can be translated into “beautiful” or “pretty”.

In many cultures, the word “Daisy” is short for the phrase “Day’s Eye”, representing how the Daisy is opened during the day and closed throughout the nighttime.

Bellis flowers are symbolic of peace, new beginnings, innocence, and friendship, which can make them the perfect flower to gift to a friend or a sister.

4. Sunflower (Helianthus)

When you think of a sunflower, you likely think of sunshine and positive or happy thoughts.

The sunflower, also known as the Helianthus flower, comes from the daisy family, also known as the Asteraceae plant family.

The Helianthus flower is a genus of more than 70 species and can be found native to South America as well as throughout North America.

Sunflowers appear as oversized and giant daisies, most often found with yellow petals and massive green stalks and leaves.

Helianthus plants have been used in many areas of the agricultural and food industries today.

The genus name of sunflower, or Helianthus, comes from the Greek words “helios” and “anthos”, meaning quite literally, “sun” and “flower” when combined.

The flower was originally given its name due to its tendency to turn towards the sun wherever it is located.

In history, Helianthus sunflowers have been closely associated with adoration, faithfulness, and loyalty, which is why they are an excellent representation of what sisterhood often is between two people.

5. Mum (Chrysanthemum)

Another popular flower that can be applied in a variety of situations is the mum, or the Chrysanthemum flower.

Chrysanthemums belong to the Asteraceae plant family, similarly to the sunflower, and have a genus of approximately 40 species in total.

Chrysanthemum flowers come in a variety of colors from pink and coral to yellow, white, and purple.

The Greek words “chrysos” and “anthemon” can be translated into “gold” and “flower”, representing the luxurious symbolism behind the flower’s naming.

Depending on where you are in the world and what you practice or believe, Chrysanthemum flowers take on many different meanings.

From symbolizing friendship and loyalty to cheerfulness, joy, and beauty, the mum has many different possible applications.

If you want to express your gratitude for sisterhood, consider doing so with a pink, white, yellow, or bright orange Chrysanthemum.

Summary

Whether you want to congratulate your sister on getting married or congratulate your best girlfriend on landing a new promotion, you can do so with flowers that symbolize sisterhood.

Even if it is not immediately obvious why you chose the flowers you did when giving them to your sister or friend, it is a great way to share the lessons and meanings behind the flowers with the ones you love most.

Header image courtesy: Image by C Watts from flickr (CC BY 2.0)