Giving flowers has been the best way to communicate care, gratitude, love, and other heartfelt emotions throughout human history. Nothing expresses appreciation, affection, and administration towards your loved ones on special occasions like beautifully arranged flower bouquets.
Their mesmerizing beauty, along with their lasting fragrance, makes this wide range of blossoms the epitome of cheer and positive vibes. With the rampant growth of online businesses, you can now order flowers online from the comfort of your own home.
Have you ever wondered when the tradition of gifting flowers started? Continue reading this article to learn about the history of giving flowers and some fun facts about flowers that you didn’t know.
What is the History of Gifting Flowers
According to research, giving flowers has been an essential part of various cultures dating back to the Middle Ages. The Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and Romans used flowers to communicate in their myths and stories. As a matter of fact, Greeks associated flowers with gods and considered them to be of great importance.
In the mid-1700s, when the French and English visited Turkey, their significance for flowers increased when they learned an entirely new language called Floriography dedicated to flowers. Conforming to this floral language, every individual flower had its own meaning. Following this fact, Victorian culture formulated its own definition for each flower known at that time.
During the Victorian Era, people didn’t believe in expressing their emotions and feelings, so they observed the floral language as an acceptable expression of sentiments and emotions. In fact, over the Victorian Era, how flowers were offered and received held different meanings.
What Are Some Fun Facts About Flowers
1. Every Flower Has a Different Meaning
Each flower represents something special. Flowers such as daisies are known to represent innocence while rosemary represents remembrance, and begonia symbolizes deep thinking. It is also important to note that an inverted flower indicates the exact opposite of its formal meaning.
2. Tulips are the Biggest Sellers in the World
Tulips are grown in billions every year. However, despite their plentiful supply, they aren’t sold at relatively low prices. Back in the 17th century, a single bulb would go for more than $2000.
There used to be a phase in Western Europe referred to as Tulip Mania when tulips were so expensive and even treated as a form of currency that was considered more valuable than gold. Fortunately, tulips are currently a bit more reasonably priced.
Additionally, tulips bulbs can also be used in place of onions when cooking, and no one would be able to tell the difference.
3. Archaefructus Sinensis is the Oldest flower in the World
A group of scientists uncovered a fossil called Archaefructus Sinensis which they believed blossomed over 125 million years ago. Since it is thought to be the oldest flower species, it was referred to as “The Mother of All Flowers.”
4. Broccoli is a Flower
Although most people consider it a vegetable, broccoli is actually a flower from the brassica family, which also includes cabbages and cauliflowers. Broccoli became distinguished as a vegetable since it is often harvested before the flower buds bloom.
5. Titan Arum is the Largest Flower
The Titan Arum is a Sumatran native flower with a height of 15ft and a width of 3ft. It is believed that a single leaf from this flower can grow to the size of a small tree. Titan Arum is also known as Corpse Flower since it emits a very unpleasant odor similar to that of a decaying body.
6. The Lotus Also Symbolizes Eternal Life
Although the lotus has often represented purity, grace, and beauty, research shows that Egyptians considered it a sacred symbol of eternal life since it could lay dormant for years during the harshest conditions and still bloom again.
7. Sunflowers Can Save Lives
Sunflowers are commonly known for their seeds which are rich in oil. Most people don’t know that its stems have been used over the years to fill life jackets since its roots can remove up to 95% of radioactive contaminants.
8. Roses Extend to a Bigger Family of Plants
Roses are among the most popular flowers and are known for their colorful blossoms that come in shades of white, red, pink, orange, and peach. In addition to their beauty, roses extend to a family that consists of pears, raspberries, almonds, peaches, cherries, nectarines, plums, even apples!
Every Flower is Unique
Flowers are mostly known for their beguiling scents and irreplaceable beauty. Most individuals fail to realize that there are flowers that hold historical and religious significance while others exhibit unusual characteristics and hidden healing properties. Therefore, it is safe to say that every flower has attributes and qualities that are worth admiring.
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