Chrysanthemum flower meaning and history
Of all the blooms you will find at your local florist, the Chrysanthemum flower is one of the most popular. These blooms are loved for their size, colour variations and amazing texture. There are several varieties available. Some even resemble pompoms! Find out moer about their meaning and history below.
Chrysanthemum flower meaning
These flowers were named by a Swedish botanist and the name comes from the Greek words chyrsos (gold) and anthemon (flower). In Chinese and Japanese, the word used for Chrysanthemums means gold flower. In China, the flower is one of the ‘Four Gentlemen’ that signify the changing seasons. In European cultures, the flower is associated with death and often used at funerals or grave sites. As for the United States, this bloom is referred to as the ‘Queen of fall flowers’ and, in Australia, ‘mums’ are a popular Mother’s Day gift. It is also the bloom associated with the month of November.
Chrysanthemum history
The Chrysanthemum flower is strongly associated with Eastern culture because they were initially cultivated in China. You will notice that there is evidence that dates back to the 15th century BC. All you need to do is take a look at the pottery from this time and you will see how often mums were painted on various items commonly used at that time. The flower was appreciated for its medicinal uses including pain relief and it was believed to possess the power of life.
Once the flower made its way to Japan, during the eighth century AD, it soon became a top choice for many. The emperor even adopted the chrysanthemum as his official seal and crest. Today, you will still notice that chrysanthemums are part of family seal designs used by prominent Japanese families. National Chrysanthemum Day was first celebrated in Japan in 910 AD. It is one of Japan’s five sacred festivals.
In the 17th century, the flower made the journey to the western world and it was soon the top choice for funeral and sympathy flowers. Today, the Chrysanthemum flower is loved for its rich colours and is included in a wide variety of mixed bouquets. They are so versatile that they can be paired with many different types of blooms.
As you can see, the Chrysanthemum flower has a long and impressive history. These blooms are also amazingly affordable and long-lasting. In addition, the fact that they have a high petal count means that you only need a few of them in each bouquet to make a magnificent splash!