Have you ever wondered what peonies symbolize? With such beautiful flowers, we can assume that there are some ancient meanings attached to peonies. Classic garden flowers that evoke old-fashioned elegance, peonies are harbingers of summer blooming in late spring, their flowers only lasting a precious week or two. But when the bushes are in bloom, the effect on anyone who grow peony incredible.
While we can admire their beautiful colors and textures, there is an impressive backstory to these blooming flowers that is also worth considering. They have an interesting history and it is no surprise that the symbolism of the peony goes beyond its beauty. Read on to learn more about some of the myths behind the peony.
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What does the peony flower symbolize?
There are four main types of peonies: tree, herbaceous, hybrid and cross. The latter is a hybrid between tree and herbaceous varieties. Native to Asia, Southern Europe and North America, peonies in one form or another have been cultivated for centuries. In particular, woody peonies have connections with Far Eastern dynasties and were highly prized by royalty. These plants were first cultivated in China and used medicinally. Known as the “king of flowers”, they are closely associated with royalty.
Peonies were grown mainly for their medicinal roots 2,000 years ago. They were used to treat stomach aches, night sweats, and ulcers. The roots of peony is used to cool and circulate the blood, while the herb’s root increases blood energy. The bark, seeds, and flowers are also used to treat various ailments. The Chinese name for peony is worthymeans ‘red’, but can also mean ‘medicine’ or ‘heal’.
History of peony cultivation
Originally cultivated for medicinal purposes, the plant’s unparalleled beauty soon found a place in formal gardens. Peonies were cultivated for their flowers in the 6th and 7th centuries. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, they had a prominent place in imperial gardens. They are often called Luoyang Flower, after the city of Luoyang, where it is believed to have first been cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Extensive crossbreeding produced 30 different cultivars by the 16th century. The flower became a symbol of wealth and large sums were paid for certain species. Exhibitions of the plant are still popular in Luoyang today.
Peony fever in Europe
Around the early 1800s, peonies were imported to Europe from China. France started the breeding trend, and the hobby quickly spread throughout Europe. In Europe, the plant was known as the thornless rose. By the 1850s, the plant had spread to North America. Breeders focused on producing plants for cut flowers industry. Eventually, the shrubs became popular ornamentals. By 1950, there were 90 North American peony breeders in the American Peony Society.
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The meaning of modern peonies
The flower industry is big business and has made it a practice to assign meanings to different flowers in order to market them for certain special occasions. According to the industry, the meaning of peonies has included honor, prosperity, happy marriage, wealth, romanticshyness, happiness and luck, depending on the color, petal texture and breeding intention. This flower often appears in wedding bouquets and decorative flowers.
Chinese Fable about Peony
The popularity of the peony over the centuries has led to its inclusion in poetry, drama, and other art forms. A classic fable, Beautiful PeonyThe evil Empress Wu Zetian ordered that all the peonies in the garden bloom overnight. The male vermillion peony refused this order and was banished from the palace. The Empress declared that anyone who planted this peony would be executed. But the emperor’s gardener, Pei Fu, sent the roots to Luoyang. The secret garden grew the plant until the Empress’s death, when it emerged and was honored.
Peony Symbolism Throughout History
Different varieties of peonies symbolize different things, depending on location and context. For example, the male, vermillion-red flowers of the peony symbolize nobility and royalty. In China today, the flower symbolizes friendship, good fortune, and feminine beauty. It is also the official flower for celebrating the 12th wedding anniversary.
The peony is one of the four flowers that symbolize the seasons. Appropriately, for when peonies are in seasonIt symbolizes spring. In Japan, this flower symbolizes luck, courage, honor and wealth, and has a distinctly masculine presence.
Traditionally, this plant was often displayed in palaces and depicted in art. It is found in silk fabrics, porcelain plates, murals, etc. When combined with phoenixes, lions, pheasants or peacocks, the peony symbolizes splendor, nobility and status. In flower arrangements, when combined with daffodils, the meaning of the peony is longevity, wealth and honor.
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frequently asked Questions
What do different colors of peonies symbolize?
Peonies are suitable for many occasions in cut flower displays and bouquets. Know a little about them flower color icon can be a big help if you’re considering giving peonies as a gift. For a romantic gesture, you can choose a deep, passionate red or a softer pink. Deep pink represents youth and freshness, while white represents purity and innocence, making them ideal for a celebratory gesture associated with a birthday.
Purple is associated with royalty and admiration as well as success, so it’s perfect for marking achievements and good fortune. Yellow is versatile, but is particularly associated with joy and health, so it’s great for wishing someone good luck or a speedy recovery from an illness.
What is the significance of peonies in cut flower displays?
Due to their versatility, range and wide hybridisation capabilities, peonies can be used in cut flower displays to represent a wide range of emotional connections, events and ideas. Overall, they are a natural choice for symbolising romance, purity, elegance, good fortune, success and joy. Peonies are extremely popular in bouquets for anniversaries and birthdays, as a gesture of affection and especially at weddings.
