Flowers have been used to symbolize different emotions and convey messages for centuries. They are often used to express love, gratitude, sympathy, and friendship. In this article, we will explore the meaning of flowers associated with friendship, their symbolism, and their use in history.
Since ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, flowers have been an integral part of human culture and their usage can be traced back to those times. In those times, flowers were not only used for decoration but also had symbolic meanings that conveyed different messages. The use of flowers to express emotions such as love, friendship, and appreciation became popular during the Victorian era. During this time, flowers were given specific meanings, and people used them to communicate without words.
Flowers Meaning Friendship
Today, flowers continue to be an important part of our lives, and they are still associated with different meanings. When it comes to friendship, there are several flowers that are commonly used to express this emotion.
- Yellow Roses
Yellow roses are often associated with friendship, and they symbolize joy, happiness, and warmth. The color yellow is often associated with positivity and optimism, making yellow roses the perfect choice to express your friendship. In fact, yellow roses were traditionally given to friends who were going through a difficult time to offer support and encouragement.
The symbolism of yellow roses dates back to ancient times, where the color yellow was associated with the sun and its life-giving properties. In Christian art, yellow is often used to represent the divine presence and symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.
Some famous friendships associated with yellow roses include the friendship between Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. The two artists met in Paris in 1887, and Van Gogh was so impressed with Gauguin’s work that he invited him to come and live with him in Arles. Although their friendship was short-lived, they exchanged letters and paintings, and Gauguin even dedicated a painting to Van Gogh called “Les Alyscamps.”
- Sunflowers
Sunflowers are another flower that is often associated with friendship, and they symbolize loyalty, adoration, and longevity. Sunflowers are known for their bright yellow petals and brown centers, which resemble the sun. This makes them the perfect choice to express friendship, as they symbolize warmth and happiness.
Sunflowers have been used in art and literature throughout history. In Greek mythology, the sunflower is associated with the sun god Apollo, and it was believed that nymphs who died transformed into sunflowers. In Van Gogh’s paintings, sunflowers are a recurring motif, and he often used them to represent friendship and loyalty.
One famous friendship associated with sunflowers is the friendship between the artist Vincent Van Gogh and the French post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin. In 1888, Van Gogh painted a series of sunflowers to decorate Gauguin’s room in Arles, France. The paintings were intended to welcome Gauguin and make him feel at home. Although their friendship was tumultuous and ended in a violent argument, the sunflower paintings remain an enduring symbol of their brief but intense friendship.
- Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are another flower that is associated with friendship, and they symbolize loyalty, respect, and honesty. Chrysanthemums are often given as gifts to friends to show appreciation and gratitude.
The symbolism of chrysanthemums dates back to ancient China, where they were considered a symbol of nobility and represented perfection and longevity. In Japan, chrysanthemums are the symbol of the emperor and the imperial family, and they are often used in Japanese art and literature.
In Chinese culture, yellow chrysanthemums are associated with long life and are often given as gifts to elderly people to wish them good health and longevity. In Japanese culture, yellow chrysanthemums are associated with the imperial family and are often used in the traditional tea ceremony.
One famous friendship associated with chrysanthemums is the friendship between the poets Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot. The two poets met in London in 1914 and quickly became close friends. They shared a love of literature and often discussed their work with each other. Pound famously edited and helped publish Eliot’s seminal work, “The Waste Land,” and the two remained close until Pound’s controversial political beliefs caused a rift in their friendship.
One other famous friendship associated with yellow chrysanthemums is the friendship between the artists Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The two artists met in Paris in the 1860s and quickly became close friends. They often painted together and shared a love of nature and the outdoors.
- Pink Carnations
Pink carnations are another flower that is often associated with friendship, and they symbolize gratitude, admiration, and affection. Pink carnations are a popular choice for friends because they convey a sense of appreciation and affection without being overly romantic.
The symbolism of carnations dates back to ancient Greece, where they were associated with the goddess Diana and were believed to have healing properties. In Christian art, carnations are often associated with the Virgin Mary and symbolize love and purity.
One famous friendship associated with pink carnations is the friendship between the writer and activist Harriet Beecher Stowe and the abolitionist and women’s rights activist Harriet Tubman. The two women met in the mid-19th century and quickly became friends. Stowe wrote a letter to Tubman in which she praised her as “the Moses of her people,” and the two women continued to correspond until Tubman’s death in 1913.
- Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria is another flower that is often associated with friendship, and they symbolize devotion, support, and strength. Alstroemeria is a popular choice for friends because they convey a sense of steadfastness and loyalty.
The symbolism of alstroemeria dates back to ancient times, where they were believed to have healing properties and were used to treat various ailments. In South America, where the flower is native, alstroemeria is known as the “Lily of the Incas” and is considered a symbol of friendship and devotion.
One famous friendship associated with alstroemeria is the friendship between the authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The two writers met in the 1920s and quickly became close friends. They shared a love of literature and often discussed their work with each other. Lewis dedicated his book “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” to Tolkien, and the two remained close until Lewis’s death in 1963.
Flowers have been used to symbolize different emotions and convey messages for centuries. When it comes to friendship, there are several flowers that are commonly used to express this emotion. Yellow roses, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, pink carnations, yellow chrysanthemums, and alstroemeria are all popular choices for friends because they convey a sense of warmth, happiness, loyalty, and gratitude.
These flowers have been used throughout history in art, literature, and culture to express friendship and convey different messages. They have been associated with famous friendships such as the ones between Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin
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