Around this time, tulips got their modern name, which comes from the Persian word meaning “turban”. tTo communicate to one and other when social convention wasn’t didn’t always allowed, flowers were used to send a message. Brown and burgundy sunflowers mean loyalty, which makes them perfect as military funeral flowers, or as a gift honouring a life-long friendship. Our Ultimate Guide on Funeral Flowers and Their Meanings covers 13 of the most popular flowers for Western funerals and memorial services. The Greek word for funeral – kēdeía (κηδεία) – derives from the verb kēdomai (κήδομαι), that means attend to, take care of someone. Pink roses are appropriate when the deceased person was a friend, neighbour, co-worker, teacher or mentor, or distant relative. With its characteristic fragrant aroma, the… RELATED: Find The Perfect Sympathy Card Wording to Accompany A Sympathy Bouquet. With their delicate blossoms, orchids are the epitome of simple elegance. White lilies, on the other hand evoke a feeling of peace and tranquility, which makes them suitable for such an occasion. Greeks . The lily was so revered by the ancient Greeks that they believed it sprouted from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods, after droplets spilled from her breast as she nursed Heracles. When it comes to western funerals and memorial services, yellow carnations and stripped carnations should be avoided. The Victorians considered it strictly a flower of friendship and good wishes for people in poor health. Today, tulips are grown throughout the world, but people still identify cultivated varieties as “Dutch tulips.”. When it comes to lily meaning, there are two important factors to consider, namely, the type of lily and the colour. Yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 26: 28, 29), Shakespeare echoed this divine sentiment and wrote in King John: “To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, is wasteful and ridiculous excess.”, There are hundreds of different true lilies. Posted on May 15, 2014 by Gabriella Zink (Blog Writer, SevenPonds) Credit: antigonemythology.wikispaces.com. The Victorians were not as fond of the hydrangea and considered it a mostly negative plant. The ancient Greek conception of the afterlife and the ceremonies associated with burial were already well established by the sixth century B.C. Lilac meanings vary throughout different cultures and time periods. The lily was also said to have grown from the tears Eve shed as she was cast out of the garden of Eden. Grimod de La Reynière hosted his own funeral. Orchids come in every color except true blue or true black. Pink carnations are also particularly suited to the funeral or memorial service of a mother, as they can also signify motherly love. In Victorian England, giving a bouquet of lilacs was meant to remind the recipient of an old love. If a spouse has passed away, consider using light purple lilacs to acknowledge the loss of a great love. The most common shape is the mophead hydrangea, where the flower grows in a big ball-shaped cluster. It was during the Victorian era (1837-1901) that orchids came to mean love and affection. The Japanese Emperors were so impressed by the blossom that they often sat on thrones covered in chrysanthemums. The following is a list of lily types and colours, along with their lily meaning: The lily has symbolized divinity and purity for centuries. The rose is also often associated with numerology. As with other types of funeral flowers, carnation’s meaning is influenced by its colour. Hydrangeas are naturally white. Importance of Ancient Greek Funeral Rituals. Flowers are often passed out during the prayer service at the gravesite. These flowers are typically divided into two groups, bearded iris and beardless irises, which include Japanese and Siberian irises. McCrae wrote this moving poem shortly after his good friend was killed, and read it at his graveside in the battlefield: In Flanders fields the poppies blow In Victorian times it was inappropriate to exhibit intimate feelings in public. In Greek mythology, the rose was a symbol of deep love and sorrow. He then fashioned the first pan flute from the hollow branches. European colonists first brought over their beloved lilac bushes to North America in the 1750s. In China, yellow sunflowers are considered to be a good luck charm and are given at festive occasions like a graduation or the launch of a new business. White daises mean innocence. Oriental lily, meaning eternal life, is also an appropriate funeral flower, as is Easter lily, the symbol of the Virgin Mary. Thus named, orchids became a symbol of virility and fertility in ancient Greece. In fact, considering the meaning of a flower was as important to social decorum as being well dressed. According to Christian legend, the carnation flower appeared after the Crucifixion of Christ. White tulips, which mean heaven and eternity, are always an excellent choice. The funeral allowed for the surviving relatives to show the depth of their familial pride and the strength of their kinship ties. Native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, wild celery has thin stalks and a bitter flavor. All rights reserved. Between the crosses, row on row, Choose white chrysanthemums when your relationship with the deceased or bereaved person was, or is, especially close. According to Greek mythology, Apollo (the sun god) and Zephyr (the god of the west wind) both completely adored a young boy named Hyakinthos and spitefully competed with each other for his attention. Cathedrals built around this time usually include a “rose window” dedicated to the her. Poppies are often found growing in fields and ditches. Blue hydrangea is also perfect for a male funeral service, given its masculine tone. When the Spanish arrived in the 1500’s, they discovered that Aztec Indians used wild and cultivated varieties of dahlia to treat epilepsy. However, purple carnations may be appropriate if the deceased was unpredictable, and if you want to honour that quality in his or her character. You can also follow our Pinterest board for more funeral flower inspiration. They believed that gifting a flower that was rare and difficult to find was symbolic of deep love. You may include blue hydrangea if there is something you regret about your relationship with the deceased, or have deep sorrow over his or her passing. It was only later that farmers bred celery to have sturdy ribs and a sweeter profile. Irises have also been long used in ‘Mary Gardens,’ which are small sacred gardens enclosing a statue or shrine of the Virgin Mary. Pink orchids, which mean grace, innocence, or femininity, are a great choice for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and girls. However, Theseus forgot to change the flags and sailed into port with black flags flying. The carnation’s scientific name, Dianthus, comes from a combination of two Latin words, dios, meaning gods, and anthos, meaning flower. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Therefore, pink carnations are suitable when the deceased person was an important person in your life. It remains the National symbol for France. They range from towering flowers of five feet or more to tiny dwarfs less than eight inches tall. Likewise, green carnations are not typically used in western funerals given their connection with homosexuality. In Greek mythology, after the death of Achilles, after the Battle of Troy, Ajax and Ulysses fought with each other, over the body of Achilles, they would each have parts of him, they decided, but could not agree on who should have the arms. Acanthus mollis (Bear’s breeches) Bear’s breeches is the national flower of Greece and was used in the wreath to represent Philip’s heritage. It also spoke of the fleetness of life, and therefore of death. And finally, while the traditional meal for mourners is something that perhaps has been lost to the past, it’s still normal to offer food at the post-funeral reception. In this case, do not use red poppies because they mean ‘romantic love’ in Eastern cultures. Lilies are known around the world for their elegance and refined beauty. Gerbera daisies are popular funeral flowers around the world. They are also the perfect flower to show your love for a close friend that has passed away. With their deep meanings, different shapes and colours, hydrangeas are popular blossoms to use in funeral flower arrangements or for memorials. Ancient Greek burial practices were highly regulated and the Greek funerary ritual consisted of three parts: the prothesis, the ekphora and the perideipnon. For funerals of military personnel or pillars of the community, choose maroon-black tulips as they mean power and strength. Asters were laid on the graves of dead soldiers to symbolize the wish that things had turned out differently in battle. This group is named from the Greek words for water, hydros, and jar or jug, angos. For example, “Richmond” is the best red rose available at Christmas. (However, we do include references to flowers that are meaningful in Asian cultures as well.). Perhaps they had faced life with courage, and deserved to be buried as heroes. This story, combined with the flower’s early blossom, means that anemones have come to symbolize the passing of time. Today, lilies—particularly white lilies—signify that after death the dearly departed enter heaven, a place where there is no sin, and regain their lost innocence and purity. They put orchids on a proverbial pedestal. Dispatches on the world's most wondrous food and drink, delivered twice a week. ), White lilac means purity and innocence, especially in relation to childhood, Dark purple lilac reflects that the wearer is concerned or knows about spiritual mysteries, Blue lilac symbolizes a baby boy, but soft blue lilac can also mean happiness and tranquility, Pink lilac symbolizes a baby girl, but soft pink lilac can also mean love and strong friendship, Magenta lilac means passion, love, and the sheer thrill of being alive, especially after surviving a harrowing experience, Blue hyacinth means sincerity, true friendship and loyalty, White hyacinth means loveliness, prayers for someone, or “I’m thinking of you”, Pink and red hyacinth means playtime or recreation. 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