Peony: the Imperial Flower
Flowers have always helped people express their feelings without actually using words. Their symbolism has existed for hundreds of years, and several artists used this for hiding messages in their art; messages that can be deciphered by those who understand the meaning of flowers, their colors, and etymology.
This article discusses the following aspects:
* The meaning of peony
* A few facts about peonies
* Etymology
* Colors and their meanings
The Meaning of Peony
The meaning of a flower tells us a lot about the way people used to see it and the circumstances under which they used to offer the flower. These meanings are kept and used even today.
The peony flower comes from China, the region where many myths and stories about it were born, and it was cultivated there for more than 2000 years. This amazing flower was even referred to as the “king of flowers” or the “imperial flower,” that much importance was given to it. The peony tree was brought to Europe in 1789.
The meanings of peonies are honor, beauty, romance, wealth, and shame. They can be given as a way to congratulate someone who achieved something meaningful in their life, like graduating, as a sign of honor for making them feel appreciated.
This flower can be used to express the beauty and uniqueness of a woman, so it is a great gift for showing someone how beautiful you think she is.
The peony is also a symbol of love and romance, so it can be offered to your partner to show her how much you care, as it expresses your strong emotions easily.
The peony is considered to attract wealth into our lives, so this amazing flower can be grown in your home to attract financial security.
The symbolic meaning of shame and bashfulness is also related to the peony, as it can be offered to someone to make them understand that they don’t need to be shy around you. This comes from the myth that wicked nymphs hide in the petals of a peony.
A Few Facts About Peonies
The peony is a small flower that blooms very beautifully. The period in which they bloom is relatively brief, only seven to 10 days, so we can’t enjoy it too much. The flowers can be simple, double, or half-hearted.
It’s very sensitive, so it should not be put directly into the sunlight, as it may cause burns on the leaves. It is a perennial, and this means it remains in one place for a minimum of ten years to a maximum of 15, so the land should be prepared before planting it. The most favorable time for planting is mid-September to October.
Etymology
The peony flower’s name comes from Ancient Greek mythology, where it was said that the flower was associated with a healing god called Paeon, who was very wise and extremely talented.
Later, Paeon proved himself more knowledgeable than Asclepius, who was him master. The apprentice managed to make his master jealous of his better skills, thus Asclepius tried to end his life. Zeus intervened by changing Paeon into the peony flower that we know nowadays. In Chinese, the peony has at least three names, which translate to “the most beautiful flower,” “flower of riches and honor,” and “king of flowers.
Colors and Their Meanings
The colors of the peony can add a lot of information to the symbolic meaning of it, as they have a powerful impact on the message we send to the one who receive the flowers. Each of the colors brings a different energy to the flower and automatically gives it a different meaning.
The deep red color symbolizes love and passion, which makes the red peony a perfect gift for a spouse or crush. In China, the red color is a symbol of royalty. Through it, we express our love and strong feelings for the person; this makes them the ideal gift for our significant other, partner, and spouse.
The white peony has a symbol of beauty, shame, peace, and light. It is one of the most popular, used for decorating our homes and for weddings. It is perfect for apologizing to someone for our mistakes but also adds our positive energy to our homes.
The pink peony is a symbol of femininity and affection that can be offered as a gift to people you love and want to show your appreciation. They’re ideal also for bridal bouquets, as they are a symbol of marriage, the beauty of the communion among two people. It brings relaxation, peace, positive vibes and can add a hint of femininity and uniqueness to a place. Giving a pink peony to someone shows your love and care.
The purple peony is a symbol of uniqueness and positive energy. It offers a feeling of originality and represents a strong character, as well as leaving a strong influence to anyone who sees it. This flower will offer passion and positive energy to a home.
Even though purple and violet peonies are associated with the myth we mentioned above, that of Paeon, they are not a sign of disgrace or envy. In fact, their positive connotation comes from Paeon’s innocence.
Japan also accepted the meaning of peonies and considered them a sign of good fortune and positive energy. In Feng Shui, the peony is regarded as a metaphor for female beauty, and it is usually used as the twelfth flower in bridal bouquets.
In conclusion, the peonies offer a message that we must learn to interpret in order to offer them at appropriate times. They also remind us to express our feelings and stay beautiful at all times. They have been used extensively in literature and arts, helping to convey secret messages and pass them along to those initiated in symbols. Make sure you offer these beautiful flowers to your friends and family!
