Did you know that you had a birth flower? Yep. And there is evidence to suggest that the origin of the ‘birth flower’ dates all the way back to the ancient Greeks. Last month I told you all about October’s Birth Flower. This month, I give you November’s: There is lots to discover, and I find its ancient history inspiring: flowers have been affecting culture for thousands of years, and I love learning how. Enjoy the Myth, Lore and Meaning of this flower!
November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
The Chrysanthemum
Meaning: The Chrysanthemum flower represents joy, longevity and prosperity. This is, in part, due to the sturdiness of the flower. It blooms during the colder months and brings a colorful beauty to a browning world. Several European cultures offer the white Chrysanthemum to the bereaved as a token of comfort.
Name Origin: Though the colors of the Chrysanthemum are now found in purples, mauves, sunny yellows, maroons, and cottony whites, the flower originated in golden hues. Known also as “mums,” the flower’s full name was coined by the famous taxologist Karl Linnaeus. Because the Chrysanthemum’s bloom hadn’t yet accumulated its array of colors, Linnaeus named it after the Greek words ‘chrysos,’ meaning ‘gold,’ and ‘anthemon’ meaning ‘flower.’
History: This flower has a delightfully long history, particularly in Asia, where it was discovered (and referenced in Chinese literature) over three thousand years ago. The Chinese loved the flower so much they named a city after it, Chu-Hsien, literally translated as ‘Chrysanthemum City.’ When the mum migrated to Japan in 400 A.D., the emperor became so enamored of it that he made the flower his official crest and seal. Now the Japanese have a National Chrysanthemum Day and celebrate it with a “Festival of Happiness” each year. Because the flower has been admired and celebrated in Asia for so long it is depicted in countless forms of ancient art. The mum also holds a long history in religious culture because Confucius suggested that the flower should be used as an object of meditation due to its multitude of intricate and symmetrical petals.
Fun Facts:
· The head of the bloom is actually made up of many little flower heads!
· In Australia, the Chrysanthemum is the traditional Mother’s Day flower because of its nickname, the “mum.”
· The mum is the largest commercially produced flower, so it has been dubbed “The Queen of Fall Flowers.”
· The flower has a chemical compound that paralyzes certain insects, so scientists have extracted the compound and used it in multiple insecticides.
· The mum is the official flower for the city of Chicago.
· Legend says that if you drop a single petal of the Chrysanthemum into the bottom of a wine glass it will bring you health and long life. Bottoms up!
