Love in a mist is a flower of the Ranunculacea buttercup family. It blooms annually and to many, it is also known as the devil in the bush. To understand love in the mist flower meaning, it is best to learn more about the flower.
Etymologically, the flower is known to botanists as Nigella Damascena. Herein, Damascena refers to the Syrian capital Damascus. The flower is native to three continents i.e. Europe, Africa & Asia. Specifically, it’s a prevalent flower in Southern Parts of Europe, South West Asia & North Africa. Recently, this species has also spread to North Europe. The love in the mist flower meaning is different across the globe.
Nonetheless, love in the mist flower meaning has one common root for its name. The name love in a mist is a reference to the distinct design of the flower. The flower is nestled within a multifid ring with lacy bracts. This ring holds the flower in a lover’s grip.
It can grow to lengths that range from 8 inches (ca. 20 cm) to over 20 inches (ca. 51 cm). The love in a mist flower has thread-like alternate leaves that further accentuate the flower. It usually blooms at the beginning of summer. The flower may have 5 to 25 petals & it can grow in blue, white, pale purple or pink colors. Unlike other buttercup flowers, this flower bears an inflated fruit with multiple integrated follicles. It tends to grow in the same spots for many years. An in-depth understanding of the love in the mist flower meaning is expressed below.
What do the Flowers Symbolize?
Love in a mist is an ornamental flower that needs very delicate care. It is symbolic of different things across cultures, but some interpretations & use have become very common. More so with the advent of social media & commercial practices. Today, some forms of love in the mist flower meaning prevail over the rest.
It has wide use in the flowers dedicated to St. Catherine month before Christmas i.e. 25th November. This is the day when the Saint became a martyr while being tortured on a spiked wheel. The flower is symbolic of that wheel & its foliage is a reminder of the Saint’s sacrifice.
North Africa carries some Renaissance tradition where the deception of its spiky seeds has earned this flower the name Devil in the Bush. A beautiful looking flower that attracts people but hides dangerous spikes, like an enticing devil. Another less used name is that of Bride in hair i.e. a Bride who married while letting her hair down to signify virginity. This archaic interpretation continues to this day in South East Asia.
What do various Colors of the Flower Mean?
The root word for its biological name is “Niger” or black. Ironically, this flower does not grow in black. Instead, it is commonly seen in the following colors and each of them has a different significance. Then again, the black may refer to its black seeds that are midway between medicine & poison. In the Hadith, they are quoted as seeds that can cure everything except death. You may also interpret the love in the mist flower meaning to be of medicinal significance.
White
The white flowers are often used in folk traditions & magic, as an ode to the purity of love. Legends associate it with the divine love of St. Katherine to the transformative love of fairies. While all love in mist flowers are Katherine flowers, to the common folk, the white flower is known by this name.
During the Middle Ages, alchemists preferred this flower as an ingredient for their elixirs. This flower was also associated with the virginity of new brides. No wonder, the love in the mist flower meaning expanded across many folklores.
Pink
This flower is associated with the deceptive love of magic. Like the white flower signifies good magic, the pink can be potent for bad magic. It is often associated with the magical charm of the green nymph at the river Goksu of Turkey. How she captivated the leader of the crusaders, The Holy Emperor Frederik 1. The king got so infatuated by the spirit that he drowned in the river on a foggy day. Thereafter, these flowers grew on the banks from the hair of the nymph. Legend has it that the nymph and the King were never seen again. Perhaps the love in the mist flower meaning was about eternal love & not that of deception.
Blue
The blue rendition of this flower is associated with long-lasting love. It is about the peace associated with love. This is not a turbulent love but a love that grants stability and helps in creation. That is why this flower is also called Ms Jekyll. This flower is often used in bouquets that Symbolize peace. While modern wreaths at funerals have white flowers, the blue flower may also be included for loving peace.
Pale Purple
Purple is often associated with royalty & Love in a Mist Flower is associated with virginity. it is natural that these interpretations combine to represent the new bloodline among the royal and the wealthy. This flower is also symbolic of the nature of the newborn, how it can be a savior or a destroyer. The possibility of being a healer or a poison, like a flower.
The pale nature of this flower also represents duality in the royal bloodline. How it can be in favor of the earthly power or the divine power that requires love and sacrifice.
Best time to Gift Someone Flowers:
The time is a culmination of symbolism and the season of the year. The love in the mist flower meaning is associated with seasonal behaviors. Since Summers are a time of intense changes in life, it is a time to wish people love luck & tranquillity. It is also the time when this flower grows in abundance.
The underlying theme of the love in a mist flower is love and devotion. While certain variants may be associated with deception, they are transformative. Their outcomes are not exactly negative for those seeking love.
This is why the love in a mist flower is an ideal gift for Summers, especially to those who wish to start fresh and embark on a journey of passion.
If it is gifted in the morning, it may inspire passionate conduct throughout the day. Although flowers are grown throughout the year, gifting season-appropriate flowers can be good for those who garden. A recipient may want to grow these flowers & the right season can ensure better growth of the plant. Nonetheless, there is no hard and fast rule for gifting.
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