Nothing says “new beginnings” quite like flowers, whether it’s a bouquet of lilies for an apology, a basket of daisies for a baby’s birth, or a big sunflower for an anniversary.
Floriography has played a noteworthy part in cultures for generations, with floral symbols and meanings varying from one to the next. (1) You can find flowers associated with optimism and enlightenment, as well as others linked to death and resurrection.
What all of these have in common, though, is that they represent new stages. Having said that, I’d like to tell you about five flowers that symbolize transformation and the backstory of their symbolism. Let’s get started!
Flowers that symbolize transformation are: Narcissus/Daffodil, Daisy, Calla Lily, Lotus and Sunflower.
Table of Contents
1. Narcissus/Daffodil
Image courtesy: piqsels.com
Daffodils, also known as Narcissus, are native to meadows and woods throughout southern Europe, North Africa, and areas of the Western Mediterranean.
These golden spring blossoms are members of the genus Narcissus, which belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family of amaryllis.
Daffodils are typically the first flowers to emerge in the spring, signaling the passing of winter and the start of the growing season. Because of this, they are seen to represent rebirth, transformation, and new beginnings. (2)
Daffodils also represent creativity and hope. After all, it was these bright blossoms that inspired William Wordsworth’s enchanting ode to nature, “I Wander Lonely As a Cloud.”
According to Chinese culture, daffodils are considered a symbol of good fortune. They’re thought to bring forth good things so much that they became the official symbol of the Chinese New Year! (3)
That said, daffodils play an essential role in New Year’s celebrations. They also add a lovely touch to weddings, birthdays, or any other occasion that marks a fresh beginning.
However, when giving these gorgeous blooms as a present, make sure to give more than one. This is due to the belief that a single flower represents misfortune. (4)
2. Daisy
I, Jonathan Zander, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Making up almost 10% of the flowering plants on earth, the daisy is a European flower species that belongs to the Asteraceae family. This beautiful wildflower can be found on every continent of the world except for Antarctica!
It’s said that the term “daisy” derives from “day’s eye,” which refers to how the blossom tends to open up with the first glimpse of dawn and close as the sun sets. (5)
Although there are 25 different varieties of daisies, each with distinctive colors and features, one thing they all have in common is their symbolism.
According to Norse mythology, the daisy is regarded as the sacred flower of Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Daisies are hence the symbol of childbirth, motherhood, and new beginnings. (6)
With that comes purity, innocence, and genuine love. All of these factors combine to make daisies the ideal present and decoration for commemorating all of life‘s most important turning points.
That’s why, most of the time, these sunny blooms are gifted in celebration of a new baby!
3. Calla Lily
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Also found in all continents of the world except Antarctica, the calla lily is perhaps the most intriguing flower you’ll ever come across! This charming blossom is a social butterfly with many nicknames such as pig lily, arum lily, and trumpet lily.
Interestingly enough, calla lilies aren’t lilies! Sounds confusing, I know. You can thank Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus, who wrongly classified the calla lily as a member of the lily family.
By the time he was corrected, the name had already stuck on this charming flower.
The calla lily draws its name from the Greek word for beautiful, so it’s no surprise that calla lilies were and still are a symbol of beauty. (7)
One of the reasons the calla lily is so fascinating is because of its contradictory meanings. On the one hand, it represents life, passion, and fertility, but on the other, it’s associated with death and rebirth. To this day, the most common symbols it carries are rebirth and resurrection.
The calla lily is traditionally given on the sixth wedding anniversary to commemorate life’s milestones.
4. Lotus
Hong Zhang (jennyzhh2008), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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The lotus flower, widely recognized as one of the most sacred plants in the world, is often viewed as a sign of purity, inner strength, and tranquillity. However, its meaning goes far deeper.
This blossom has an important part to play in several Eastern religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. (8)
Some of its further symbols include spiritual enlightenment and detachment. But wait for it, there’s more!
The Lotus flower opens up in the morning and then closes at night, submerging itself back into the water. Then, a fresh flower appears in the morning, continuing the cycle of the lotus flower.
Because of its intriguing life cycle, the lotus flower is commonly associated with resilience and resurrection. This explains why the flower was so popular in Ancient Egypt!
Due to its relation to resurrection, the lotus flower is an appropriate flower to include in funerals. And, because of its many other symbolisms, it’s an excellent addition to a wedding or celebration.
5. Sunflower
Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Members of the daisy family; sunflowers come in 70 distinct species and various colors, including cream, gold, yellow, orange, red, mahogany, and brown.
This vibrant wildflower is made up of small blossoms that combine to make one large flower, which attracts bees and other pollinators.
It’s no surprise that sunflowers got their name from their enormous yellow petals that resemble the sun. You can tell by looking at them that they represent happiness, optimism, love, and peace.
Furthermore, the sunflower signifies the circle of life, and its seeds symbolize the beginnings of a new, fresh start.
According to Greek mythology, the sunflower was created as a result of the nymph Clytie’s utter despair. She was a broken-hearted water nymph longing for a love she could never have. (9)
This ultimately shows us that despite hardship, beautiful things can emerge, like the sunflower! Lastly, sunflowers are appropriate for any happy occasion, such as baby showers, birthdays, and graduation.
Wrapping Up
When life takes you on a new path, what better way to celebrate than with flowers? Many flowers symbolize transformation and new beginnings, some of which also carry a rich history along.
When words fail, flowers often speak volumes! Sometimes, they’re the best way to get a message across.
I’ve chosen five different flowers that are frequently used in celebrations of transition and a new beginning. So, which of these flowers would you pick for your next big celebration?
References
- https://www.petalrepublic.com/floriography-guide/
- https://www.interflora.co.uk/page/flower-types/narcissi
- https://flower-school.co.uk/blog/5-lucky-flowers-to-give-for-chinese-new-year/
- https://www.bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk/blog/news/15-interesting-facts-about-daffodils-and-narcissus#
- https://uselessetymology.com/2017/11/11/the-etymology-of-daisy/#
- https://mypad.northampton.ac.uk/lightcolourspace/2014/06/16/symbolism-of-daisies/
- https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/calla-lily-meaning-and-symbolism#
- https://symbolsage.com/lotus-flower-symbolism-and-meaning/#
- http://4go10tales.blogspot.com/2012/06/story-of-sunflower.html#
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