Magical Flowers in Mythology Throughout various mythologies around the world, flowers are often depicted as symbols of magic, transformation, and divine power. These mythical flowers are believed to possess supernatural properties and have the ability to grant wishes, heal, or even bring about immortality. Let us explore some of these enchanting flora from different mythological traditions. In Greek mythology, the lotus flower holds great significance. It was said to bloom on the surface of the water in the land of the lotus-eaters, a place of forgetfulness and bliss. Eating the lotus flower would cause one to lose all memory of their past life and be forever trapped in a state of dreamlike contentment.
Orchids have long been associated with fertility because their name is derived from ‘orchis’, the Greek word for ‘testicles’. Please don’t try this at home, but supposedly, if you eat small orchid tubers while pregnant, you’ll give birth to a baby girl. If your male partner eats large ones, you’ll welcome a son. It goes without saying that this superstition has no basis in science!
It is the favourite flower of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who called it a must for every gardener when the RHS Chelsea Flower Show went virtual in 2020. Together the two sets of associations suggest death followed by heavenly rebirth, which may be one reason for the tradition of placing or planting flowers on graves.
Eating the lotus flower would cause one to lose all memory of their past life and be forever trapped in a state of dreamlike contentment. In Norse mythology, the golden apples of Idun were a source of eternal youth and beauty for the gods. These apples were said to grow in Asgard, the realm of the gods, and were guarded by Idun, the goddess of youth.
Magical flowers in mytology
I recently learned that my favorite flowers are linked to my Greek heritage and Greek mythology [1]. Unbeknown to me, my favorite flowers and the ones I grow in my garden are daffodils, lilies, gladiolus, and roses. Other favorites associated with Greek mythology are anemones and peonies. For some reason these flowers don't seem to grow well in my yard, probably due to my clay soil.
One of the most famous floral myths involves the Narcissus flower, commonly known as the daffodil. This springtime favorite is named after the beautiful Greek youth, Narcissus, who became so enchanted by his reflection in a river that he stayed on its banks, staring at himself until he died. Other stories say he was so absorbed by his looks that he fell into the river and drowned. Either way, daffodils sprung up on the spot where he perished, bending their necks towards the water as he had done. Hence, the term ‘narcissistic', means a fixation with oneself.
Lilies are associated with Hera's milk in Greek mythology. Her husband, Zeus, the god of thunder and lightning had an affair with a mortal that led to the birth of Hercules. However, Zeus knew that Hera's breast milk was the best for raising gods; thus, he drugged her to sleep. But Hera woke up as the child suckled and flung him away spraying milk across the sky (Milky Way) and as it touched the earth, the white lilies sprouted.
In classical Greek mythology, the Gladiolus flower means links to the god Apollo. One story revolves around Hyacinthus who was accidentally killed by the discus of the god Apollo, a gladiolus flower sprouted from his corpse. Another myth is about Demeter the goddess of the harvest. She had a sacred grove from which an irreligious man, Erisichton, repeatedly stole firewood. One day the man beheaded one of Demeter's worshipers and from the disciple's blood sprouted a gladiola. Another version is that Demeter punished Erisichton with famine. He became poor and he tried to sell his daughter, fortunately, she managed to escape from him. Demeter found her in the grove and turned her into a gladiola [2].
A Rose by any other name is still a rose, which is symbolic of romance. You thought Shakespeare but jumble up the letters of ‘rose' and it's an anagram of ‘Eros', the god of love. Legend has it that Chloris, the goddess of flowers, stumbled upon a lifeless nymph while walking through the woods one day. Saddened by its death, she turned it into a flower so beautiful that all the gods would consider it the Queen of Flowers. Indeed, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was so struck by its beauty that she named it ‘rose' in honor of her son, Eros. "There's a rival Greek myth that connects the red rose to devotion." (“These Are Some of the Best Floral Myths - Thurs.”) The story goes that, upon discovering a plot to kill her mortal lover, Adonis, Aphrodite ran through a bush of white roses to warn him. Its thorns scratched her ankles, and her blood turned the petals red.
Sadly, Aphrodite was too late, as Adonis had already been gored by a wild boar. His blood mingled with her tears and burst into Anemones. In another version of this story, the anemones were white before the death of Adonis, whose blood turned them red. (“Flowers in Mythology - Myth Encyclopedia”)
Popular Peonies signify compassion and are named after Paean, the physician who tended to the wounds of the gods. One day, Paean healed Pluto, the god of the underworld, with a milky liquid taken from the root of a magical flower he had found on Mount Olympus. His success humiliated Asclepius (his teacher) who plotted to kill his pupil for outsmarting him. Zeus, the king of the gods, took mercy on Paean by turning him into the plant that had saved Pluto's life. Peony roots, seeds, and petals were widely used in ancient times to treat a variety of aches and pains. Research has since proven that they can indeed have anti-inflammatory effects, so perhaps there's truth to myths after all.
Flowers and folklore have long been intertwined, with many of our favourite blooms weaving their way into magical spells and superstitions over time.
It was believed that anyone who consumed these magical apples would remain forever young. In Hindu mythology, the blue lotus, known as the blue water lily, is associated with beauty and purity. This flower is commonly depicted in artwork and is said to represent the divine and spiritual realms. It is believed to have the power to purify the mind and bring about inner peace. In Chinese mythology, the peony symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and beauty. This flower is often associated with the goddess of flowers, known as Xi Wangmu. It is believed that the petals of the peony possess magical properties and can bring good fortune and happiness to those who possess them. In Celtic mythology, the rowan tree and its berries are considered sacred and have protective qualities. It was believed that the rowan tree could ward off evil spirits and witches. The red berries were often used to make amulets and talismans, providing protection and healing to those who carried them. These are just a few examples of the magical flowers found in mythologies worldwide. Flowers have always held a special place in human culture, and their symbolism often extends beyond the physical realm. In mythology, these enchanting blooms serve as reminders of the mystical and transformative power of nature..
Reviews for "From Lotus to Cherry Blossom: Exploring the Mythology of Asian Flowers"
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Magical Flowers in Mythology" because I love flowers and I'm interested in mythology. However, I was disappointed with the book. The information provided about the flowers was quite basic, and I didn't feel like I learned anything new. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sort of excitement or engagement. I found myself bored and struggling to stay interested throughout the book. Overall, I would not recommend "Magical Flowers in Mythology" to anyone looking for in-depth information or an entertaining read.
2. John Smith - 1 star - "Magical Flowers in Mythology" was a complete letdown. The book promised to uncover the fascinating connections between flowers and mythological tales, but it fell far short of my expectations. The writing was overly simplistic and lacked depth. I was hoping to immerse myself in the enchanting world of flowers and mythology, but instead, I barely scratched the surface. The book failed to provide any substantial analysis or even interesting anecdotes. I'm afraid I cannot recommend "Magical Flowers in Mythology" to anyone seeking a captivating exploration of this subject.
3. Emily Johnson - 2 stars - I found "Magical Flowers in Mythology" to be quite underwhelming. While the concept seemed intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. The book lacked structure, making it difficult to follow along and absorb the information. The writing style was inconsistent, with some sections being excessively flowery and descriptive, while others were oddly plain and lacking in detail. Additionally, the book didn't delve deep enough into the mythologies it discussed, leaving me dissatisfied. Overall, I felt like "Magical Flowers in Mythology" had the potential to be great, but it ultimately fell flat.
4. Michael Davis - 2 stars - As someone who is passionate about both mythology and flowers, I eagerly picked up "Magical Flowers in Mythology". Unfortunately, I found the book to be disappointing. The information provided was too basic and lacked the level of depth and analysis I was expecting. Furthermore, the book lacked any sort of narrative or structure, making it feel disjointed and difficult to follow. I was hoping to learn more about the symbolism and significance of flowers in mythology, but "Magical Flowers in Mythology" failed to deliver. It felt more like a collection of random facts than a cohesive exploration.