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Floral Tales

5 Flowers in Popular Legends and Myths

Whether in stories of caution, tragedy, rebirth, and true love, flowers are an important part of storytelling all over the world, over different eras. These precious blooms enrich stories with their vigor and create striking images with their beauty.

More than just providing embellishments, however, the flowers in these stories have influenced many cultural practices and ways of life. The stories handed down from generation to generation affect the meanings we relate to different flowers, which we then use for different occasions: to celebrate, to commemorate, and to comfort.

The main reason why they're so relevant is because the symbolisms of these flowers excite, inspire, and teach us lessons in life.

That's why today, we're going to share with you five fascinating myths and legends all over the world which feature certain flowers with powerful meanings. Take a peek at this list to see your favorite flowers in a totally different light!

Anemone (Greek)

These bewitching red blooms are said to have been borne of the harrowing love story of Adonis and Aphrodite. Now you may know Adonis as the pinnacle of manly beauty in mythology, often compared to swoon-worthy men - and you're right!

As a matter of fact, he was so good-looking that he swept Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love herself, off her feet. She was so madly in love that she disregarded her godly responsibilities and even her own appearance.

One day, he went hunting and struck a wild boar with his spear. Much to his surprise, the boar suddenly chased after him and plowed him with its tusks. Aphrodite heard his wails and raced to be by his side, holding him as he bled to death.

Mourning the loss of her mortal lover, the goddess scattered nectar on his blood, where deep red anemones later rose up as a symbol of her grief. In other versions of this tale, the flowers sprang from Aphrodite's tears mixed with Adonis' blood.

Anemones continue to represent death, grief, and forsaken love to this day. But to put a more positive spin on this, these blossoms remind us that life is fleeting, so we must appreciate every single moment with our loved ones.

Chrysanthemum (German)

While the chrysanthemum features more prominently in Eastern mythology, specifically in Japanese culture, this bright and joyful flower has a really special meaning in a famed German legend.

On a deathly cold Christmas eve, a poor family gathered around their table to share a measly meal. Their quiet night was interrupted by loud, repeated sobs from outside their home. Curious, they opened the door to find a shivering beggar who was turning blue from the cruel winter.

They led him inside immediately and wrapped him in blankets to warm him up. They offered what little food they had for him to eat and be filled.

The man then removed the blankets to show his beaming white clothes and a halo on his head. Lo and behold, he was the Christ Child in flesh.

Upon revealing himself, he departed. The only thing that remained of him was two chrysanthemums where he had stood.

Until today, Germans observe the practice of bringing chrysanthemums into their home every Christmas eve to commemorate Christ. While this is a rich cultural custom, the call to be generous and compassionate even through tough times rings true for every person.

Lotus (Egyptian)

A gorgeous flower that flourishes in full bloom from muddy waters, the lotus is seen as a symbol of purity, rebirth, and resilience. This sentiment is shared by many cultures, but its earliest date goes back to Ancient Egyptian mythology.

The god Nefertum was thought to have been brought forth from a lotus flower, rising from the waters at the beginning of time. Known as the sun god, he was heavily linked to the lotus in several Egyptian myths.

In particular, he was connected with the blue lotus: its golden center was evocative of the sun's shining rays, while its vivid blue petals were compared to the vast skies.

The similarities of the sun and the lotus hold a particularly significant and inspiring meaning. Like the sun that rises and falls each day, the lotus opens its buds at daytime and closes them at nighttime, embodying the cycle of life, of death and rebirth.

In addition, Nefertum was also worshipped as the god of healing and beauty, attesting to his connection with the wonders of life: not only with its beginnings and endings, but with sustaining and enriching it.

Narcissus (Greek)

There's a reason why the term "narcissist" is named after the mythological origin of this flower. Narcissist usually refers to someone who is so egotistic and self-absorbed that they lose sight of the world around them, just like the hunter called Narcissus in Greek mythology.

While adored by many for his striking looks, Narcissus showed great contempt for anyone who became smitten with him.

One day, the mountain nymph Echo caught sight of him, instantly fell in love, and trailed after him. But he soon caught on and demanded to meet her. Echo revealed herself, throwing her arms around him in joy.

Narcissus viciously rejected her and fled from her. The distressed Echo hid in great shame for the remainder of her days, never to be seen again, with merely an echo of her voice left lingering.

Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, resolved to punish Narcissus for his heartlessness. Dooming him to love what he cannot have, she led him to a river where he fell in love with his own reflection.

He knelt by the water staring at himself until he wilted away from thirst and starvation. A white flower with a yellow heart later blossomed where he died, warning us about the pitfalls of treating others with malice and putting ourselves before everyone else.

Rose (Roman)

Arguably the world's most famous flower, the rose has been a constant image in folklore and mythology throughout various cultures. But one universal symbolism they have is that of true, inspiring, everlasting love.

This is never clearer than in the romantic tale of Cupid and Psyche. The youngest of three princesses, Psyche was a girl of astonishing beauty, loved and marvelled at by many people. Their adoration reached a point where they stopped worshipping Venus, the goddess of beauty.

Overcome with envy, Venus enlisted the help of her son, Cupid, in her crusade for vengeance. But upon setting out for his task, he fell in love with Psyche.

The smitten Cupid escaped with her to his secluded palace, but warned her never to look at him. However, Psyche's envious sisters found her and fooled her into gazing at him. Enraged, Cupid deserted her.

Mourning the loss of her lover, Psyche became a servant for Venus. The goddess subjected her to many tests and torments, all of which she endured for love.

Cupid then rescued Psyche and appealed to Jupiter, king of the gods, to marry her. Jupiter was deeply moved by their love and promptly expressed his approval.

Their wedding was a grandiose celebration in the heavens, attended by all gods. Jupiter told his daughters to shower the most gorgeous, radiant roses all over the earth below to honor their union.

At the heart of this fascinating story is the age-old but undoubtedly true message: true love conquers all. It can survive all difficulties and troubles, because reaping the rewards of being with the people we love is more than enough to keep us strong.