Enraptured by flowers since millennia

March 26th, 2015

Are you one of those who are charmed by the softer side of life? Do you lose yourself in books for hours without a trace of regret and like reading about kings and queens and their royal tales? Do you revel in the warmth of sunshine and enjoy the fragrance the breeze brings to you while strolling in a park? Then you are definitely someone who shouldsend flowers as gifts this coming festive season! Flowers have a rich history; read on to know about some interesting facts about the beauties of nature.

  1. Roses and secrets – It is said that during the Middle Ages, people used to hand a rose from the centre of the ceiling to bind everyone in an automatic pledge of secrecy. Popular amongst politicians and Council meetings, it was not unusual to find a beautiful rose dangling from the ceiling, in plain sight of all, thus leading to the rise of the phrase “sub rosa”.

  2. Healing Asters – Did you think that only the Egyptians were particular about how their departed souls were to be buried, jewels and cats and servants included? That’s not true. Scientists have found that many French soldiers, who were buried, were laid to rest with asters which are believed to have several healing flowers. Although there was no hope that the dead could be revived, the flowers used in the burials symbolized their wish that such deaths need not have taken place.

  3. Curious Chrysanthemums – Like certain words have different meanings when used in different languages, there are certain flowers that are also looked at differently in various parts of the world. Chrysanthemums are considered holy and loaded with healing powers by the Japanese and their great kings preferred to sit on thrones shaped in the form of these flowers. At the bottom of their wine glasses, one could also find these flowers’ petals so each sip of wine they took brought them pleasure and health at the same time! These same flowers however are associated with death in Italy!

  4. Holy Holly – Those familiar with intricate details of the Bible would surely be able to understand the phrase which this refers to. The pointed leaves of this plant were used to represent the thorns in the crown worn by Lord Jesus as he was led to the crucifixion spot. The pearls of blood that dripped were symbolised by the cherries of the plant. Hollies were also used to make garlands by ancient Romans and the Medieval Monks believed that these plants kept evil spirits away.

  5. Vibrant Violets – These flowers are associated with a very interesting man who shaped world history in a big manner – Napoleon Bonaparte. His love for Josephine is known to everyone and it is said that he gifted her violets for each of their anniversaries. He was also known as the Corporal Violet due to this penchant for these flowers and is said to have died with a necklace that had a locket containing violets he had picked up from Josephine’s grave site.

So choose from the plethora of floral beauties; make a vivid bouquet of them and you can easily brighten up someone’s da with just them and your smile!