Many of the spring flowers that announce the season have religious symbolism. Easter lilies represent Christ’s purity, red roses symbolize the blood He shed, and daffodils are thought to have bloomed after Christ rose from the tomb. As perennial flowers that bloom every year, these yellow blooms are considered a reminder of the resurrection. Spring flowers aren’t just symbolic for Christians; many other world religions celebrate spring with the blossoms that emerge, giving us hope for fresh fruits, vegetables, and warmer weather.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan, but they hold a significant place in Washington, D.C., as well. Since 1935, the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival has been a staple of spring in the nation’s capital. Cherry blossoms don’t have a long lifespan, dropping to the ground just two weeks after full bloom, which reminds people of the transience of life, a prominent theme in Buddhism.
Sunny Daffodils
Daffodils are some of the brightest spring flowers, treasured around the world. In China, if a daffodil blooms on the Chinese New Year, it’s representative of good luck and prosperity for the entire year. In Greek mythology, the daffodil is thought to be named after the Greek god Narcissus. Narcissus was beautiful, albeit arrogant. It’s said that the nymphs transformed him into a daffodil as revenge. The daffodil is now associated with hope and joy.
Apple Blossoms
Not all apple trees blossom in the spring, so these beautiful flowers are a special announcement by Mother Nature. Apple blossoms are a spring reminder of the hardiness of trees that renew themselves every year. The Celts celebrated the apple blossom as a symbol of love, but it also represents long life. It’s a great reminder of how life continues, even after a long, hard winter. These spring blossoms turn into delicious, succulent fruit that nourishes the body, another reminder of the cycle of life.
Bright, Colorful Tulips
Tulips were first bred in Turkey, which is where the name comes from. These stunning flowers are truly representative of spring, as they almost always seem to reach toward the sun. Some believe that tulips represent an attainment of spiritual awareness, while others believe they symbolize devotion and love. Tulips are another example of the hope of spring. Bulbs are planted in the fall, only to be forgotten through the winter until they bloom in the spring.
Lilac Bushes
Lilacs have their own Greek mythology legend in which Pan chased Syringa. Syringa avoided Pan’s advances by transforming herself into a lilac bush. Pan became so angry that he smashed the bush apart into many different pieces. As he came to his senses, he tried to pick up the pieces, kissing them to show his regret.
That act is regarded as the origin of the panpipe, as Pan’s breath made a melody when he brushed the pieces of wood. Today, lilacs represent youth. The leaves, bark, and flowers are prized in North American and Chinese traditional medicines as healing agents.
Primrose or Cowslip
According to Scottish legend, the primrose is the fairy’s flower. Eat a primrose to see a fairy. Put primroses in the dairy to prevent the fairies from stealing the milk. It was also thought that you could leave primrose on your doorstep to receive a fairy’s blessing.
Primroses were considered Shakespeare’s favorite flower. He coined the phrase “primrose path,” which means the easy road in life or a path covered with flowers. In many of Shakespeare’s works, a primrose symbolized that a young woman would die an early death, but in modern times, a primrose symbolizes protection and security.
Celebrate Spring
Pick up a bright, colorful bouquet this spring to bring hope and joy into your home. Choose your flowers based on what makes you happy instead of focusing on religious symbolism.