Every flower has a story of its own that makes it unique and primroses are no different. A dainty, beautiful flower that blooms in the early spring months, primrose gets its name from the Latin word ‘primus’ meaning first. As the flower typically appears first during spring, it usually signifies the arrival of the season, hence its name. These vibrant looking flowers grow from a small, leafy bush and originate from the ‘Primula’ genus. They come in a wide range of shapes and attractive colors- the most common variant is the one with five petals and a yellow tinged center. Popular among poets and gardeners alike, they are said to symbolize grace, young love and youth, across cultures.
What do Primrose flower symbolize?
As these flowers blossom early in spring, primrose flower meaning is associated with renewal, eternity and youth throughout history. In early Victorian era, gifting primroses symbolized young love and the emotions that come with loving someone.
Primroses are also known as the flower of February in language of flowers, as they represent youthful innocence, shyness and joyful love. Victorian era also saw the celebration of 19th April as primrose day – a tribute to the late Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. This was to honor his memory as primroses were his favorite flower. Primroses also make frequent appearances in Shakespeare’s works and represent some form of licentiousness, as seen in Hamlet and Macbeth.
The primrose flower meaning also embody the various stages in the cycle of life and rebirth. The petals of this flower signify different stages: birth, life as it is and finally death. In some cultures, these beautiful blossoms have been associated with femininity, womanhood and grace as well.
When it comes to Norse mythology, primroses are symbolic of exquisite beauty and are considered a sacred flower. This is primarily because the flower was associated with Norse goddess Freya who is said to have used primroses to unlock the gates of spring. During rituals, Celtic worshipers would lay these magnificent blooms on the altars dedicated to Freya, honoring the goddess.
What do the various colors of the Primrose flower mean?
Around the world, Primroses are a common feature in beautiful bouquets and other flower arrangements. They come in a variety of pretty shades such as red, white and yellow, pink and orange. Each of these colors stands for different qualities and have various symbolic meanings attached to it.
Red Primroses: Similar to other red flowering plants, red primroses often symbolizes passion, beauty, ecstasy and love. Red primrose flower meaning signify the feeling of ardent love and desire one feels for someone they are in love with. Very often, these eye catchy flowers are gifted by men to their beloved ones as a display of his love and affection for her.
White Primroses: White primroses are said to represent sadness, remembrance and mourning in most cultures. Similar to white lilies, these are usually presented to people experiencing the loss of someone, especially at funerals. They usually stand for someone extremely important in one’s life and signify the struggle to adjust to life without them. Interestingly, some cultures also associate purity, good health and honesty with these graceful blossoms.
Yellow Primroses: Like the color yellow, yellow primrose flower meaning also embodies happiness, new beginnings and optimism. The brightly colored yellow petals are often likened to the sun’s radiance and the positive energy and warmth that spring season brings. Yellow primroses serve great as a decor and are an ideal gift for someone who is ill, to brighten up their day.
Pink Primroses: A set of classic, delicate blossoms, pink primroses are believed to stand for feminine love and the elegant beauty of a woman. It is considered a very important symbol of womanhood across cultures. As a result, pink primrose flower meaning came to be associated with tenderness, femininity and soft love of a woman.
Interesting facts and characteristics of the Primrose flower
· World renowned wordsmith, Shakespeare coined the phrase ‘primrose path’, typically meaning taking an easy path or a path of indulgence in life.
· In Celtic culture, the druids carried this flower during rituals. This was because they thought that primroses had the power to drive away evil spirits and could unlock the gates to heaven. Celts also believed in the flower’s purifying and cleansing properties and would use primrose oil before any ceremonials.
· European folklore extensively talks about how planting primroses can attract fairies and bring good fortunes and blessings, from heaven. For Irish folk, these flowers were even a popular cure for diseases such as tuberculosis and jaundice. In Germany, the first young woman to find this flower before Easter was sure to get married that year itself.
· Surprisingly, both the flowers and the leaves of primrose are edible and can be consumed raw. The flowers are even used in the manufacturing of wine.
· When it comes to ancient herbal medicine, primroses were used to make cowslip wine. This was then used as an anesthetic. Primroses are said to be used in making love potions too, during the Middle Ages.
· Ancient Greeks used the name ‘flower of the 12 gods’ to describe primroses, as they thought it had the power to cure paralysis.
Best time to gift someone Primrose flower
With their soft petals and beautiful, varied colors, it is no surprise that primroses are a perfect gift for someone special. If you want to express your feelings of love to a woman and appreciate her beauty, pink or red primroses will work very well. Gifting a bouquet of red primroses is especially great to indicate that you cannot live without your ladylove and how much you enjoy the bond you share. On the other hand, these flowers are an excellent symbol for spring and renewal. Yellow primroses are always a great option to gift someone starting a new chapter in their lives. Bringing a primrose bouquet home can also uplift everybody’s mood, encouraging them to be more positive, joyful and energetic.
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