Peonies - imperial flowers

2015-05-18 21:00:00

The Peony’s thick ruffled blooms and ability to return spring after spring for 100 years or longer gives it magical qualities to the gardener and floral enthusiast alike. This iconic flower has become a major cultural tradition in some countries, while other people consider it unlucky or a sign of shame. Dive into the deeper meanings of the Peony before you send this flower to a friend or loved one.

Symbolism of the Peony Flower

The Peony is most important in Chinese culture. This stunning flower is an official emblem of China, and it plays a big role in many holidays and religious traditions. It’s the flower with the longest continual use in Eastern culture, and it’s tied in deeply with royalty and honor in those societies. The Chinese name for Peony even translates to “most beautiful”. Oddly enough, it has somewhat of an opposite meaning to Western individuals. Greek myth says that nymphs used to hide their naked forms in Peonies to shield them from prying eyes. This led to the association of Peonies with shamefulness and bashfulness during the Victorian era. It was considered downright unlucky to dig up a shrub of Peony during the Middle Ages due to associations with less than kind fairies.

The Peony Flower Facts

As an enduring symbol of honor and wealth in Eastern culture, it’s no wonder this flower has been cultivated and bred in China and Japan for hundreds of years. The plant is mainly grown by separating root masses and only sometimes by seed, so breeding can take years to advance even a few generations. Some types of Peony grow into taller trees with thick stems, while others stay short and in a shrub form. They all produce compact flowers featuring many layers of crimped petals for a beautifully lush look.

Peony Flower Color Meanings

Peonies come in a wide range of colors, and the meaning the flower symbolizes changes relatively little due to the shade or hue. However, there are a few colors that change what the Peony means, including:

• Pink: The most romantic form of Peony, making it the ideal color for wedding bouquets and table arrangements
• White or Very Pale Pink: Focusing on the bashful aspect of the Peony’s meaning, making it a good choice for communicating your regret over embarrassing yourself or someone else.
• Deep Red: This color is most prized in China and Japan, and has the strongest ties to honor and respect. It’s also the most symbolic of wealth and prosperity in those cultures.