Imagine a tall vase filled with small white daisies placed by the window. A gentle breeze moves the petals, and the bright yellow centres stand out beautifully against the white. As coffee brews in the background, you realise how something as simple as flowers and a hot drink can instantly lift your mood.
Daisies are one of the brightest flowers in the world, adorning households and decorating gardens and meadows. However, beyond their visual charm lies a deeper story, one of symbolism, meaning, and cultural significance. Read on to discover the daisy symbolism, its roots in mythology, and what different colors of daisies represent.
A Brief History of Daisies
Daisy has a rich and fascinating history dating back at least 2,200 years. The cultivation of daisies in ancient Egyptian gardens was known for its healing benefits. When consumed, daisies were thought to have the ability to relieve stomach ulcer discomfort, gout, and fever.
Wild daisy tea is still a natural cure for coughs, bronchitis, general pain, and soreness.
The ancient meaning of daisy flower was "day's eye" because of its distinctive habit of closing its petals over the yellow core at night and reopening during the day. This is where we get the expression "fresh as a daisy", often used to describe someone who looks well-rested after a good night’s sleep.
What Do Daisies Represent?
With their cheerful yellow centers and beautiful white petals, daisy flowers can instantly make you happy. While daisies come in a variety of shapes and colors, the most common ones are associated with specific meanings.
Daisy’s symbolism differs depending on cultural customs and bloom hue. Nonetheless, they are frequently associated with purity, childbirth, new beginnings, and cheerfulness. Daisy petals symbolize innocence and are commonly associated with childhood memories of collecting wildflower bouquets.
Flower girls scatter daisy petals at weddings to represent the purity of love. Daisy bouquets are also presented to expectant parents to greet their newborns. Daisy is also known to symbolize new beginnings and is given to those going through difficult times.
Daisies in Popular Culture
The daisy flower, scientifically known as Bellis Perennis, is a true gem of the botanical world. Delicate and beautiful, this flower boasts a rich history and cultural significance that has captured the hearts of many.
For thousands of years, daisy’s symbolism has included innocence, happiness and purity. The precise meaning of daisies, however, varies based on local customs and the hue of the daisy. Florists and gardeners alike have taken note of the meaning of the daisy flower and its stunning beauty, making it a popular choice for floral arrangements and garden design.
Daisies in Mythology
Throughout history, daisies have possessed great importance in numerous mythologies. In Roman mythology, a nymph named Belidas transformed herself into a daisy to escape the unwanted romantic advances of Vertumnus, an overzealous god. Since the story is centred around the themes of metamorphosis, rebirth, and transformation, the flower took on symbolic meanings related to new beginnings and innocence.
According to Norse Mythology, daisies are the sacred flowers of Freya, the goddess of fertility and love. Since then, daisies have become a symbol of motherhood and childbirth.
Celtic lore says that the gods would shower daisies across the land when a child died to comfort the bereaving parents.
These myths and legends demonstrate the significance of daisies in human civilization and the continuing potency of their symbolism.
The Meaning Behind Every Daisy Color
Although white daisies are the most well-known, there are many other colors of daisies, each with its unique meaning. Below, we’ll explain what daisies represent, according to their colour:
White Daisy
With their bright and fresh appearance, white daisies represent purity and innocence, making them an excellent complement to bridal flowers or a congratulations bouquet for new parents.
Pink Daisy
Pink daisies symbolize love, tenderness, and kindness, making them an ideal gift for someone special or to express adoration for your significant other.
Blue Daisy
Blue daisies, despite their scarcity, represent long-term commitment and trust, making them a great gift for a close friend, lover, or family member. They are easily confused with asters, also members of the Asteraceae family.
Orange Daisy
Choose orange daisies if you want to spread happiness and joy! These cheerful flowers are a fantastic pick-me-up and reflect friendliness, warmth, and joy, brightening someone's day.
Gifting Occasions for Daisy Flowers
Daisy bouquets are ideal for a range of special occasions. They are the birth flower of April and hence make an ideal present for a birthday in April. Furthermore, Gerbera daisies are the official fifth-anniversary flower, making them an excellent choice for commemorating this special occasion.
Daisy bouquets, springtime festivals, and get-well-soon arrangements are all popular with their connotations of optimism, rebirth, and renewal. A daisy arrangement can also be a lovely host or hostess present for any springtime celebration.
Daisy flowers are historically given to new moms as a sign of childbirth and motherhood, among other connotations. On Mother's Day, they are ideal for congratulating new mothers or honoring maternal figures.
Conclusion
Daisies have various meanings that change depending on color, culture, and connection. This versatility and deep mythological and cultural significance have made daisies one of the most beloved flowers in the world.
This quick guide covers their popular mythological connections, the most common meanings, and the daisy symbolism of the common colors. The next time you want to sympathise, congratulate, or simply send a pick-me-up to a friend, consider selecting an event-appropriate version of daisy as the perfect floral gift.
Nowadays, you can select the best flower delivery service and the floral arrangement of your choice from the comfort of your home.
Gift Happiness with Fresh Daisies from Alpha Floral
If you’d love to delight your loved ones with exquisite daisies, Alpha Floral can assist you in selecting the ideal bouquet or arrangement. We have an extensive variety of flowers and bouquets for various occasions.
Our expert team of Santa Barbara florists will guide you through the different daisy meanings and help you select the best floral arrangement according to the occasion. Get ready to make your special ones smile!
