Queen of the night flower is one of the rarest flowers on Earth. These precious flowers usually bloom only once a year. The subtle but astounding aroma of the bloom transforms the night into an intricate piece of art. Even after waiting for a whole year, one gets only a little time to savour the ethereal beauty of the queen of the night flower. The divine flower blooms only at night and is spent before the sunrise. The ephemeral nature of the bloom and its rarity makes the plant very expensive.
Queen of the night flower, popularly known as Epiphyllum is an epiphyte. The plant grows on trees for support, without begetting any deleterious effect on the life of the tree. The name Epiphyllum is derived from the Greek phrase ‘epi phyllon’. The literal meaning of this greek name is upon leaves. Owing to the nature of the stems which look exactly like leaves, scientists named this plant Epiphyllum. Notably, it is a member of the family Cactaceae.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum is considered to have the most beautiful flowers in the genus. Thus, it is the species that is generally cultivated.
Epiphyllum flower is native to tropical and subtropical regions around the globe. And the centre of origin of the flower is believed to be Sri Lanka. This flower has a unique place in the folklore of Sri Lanka. Epiphyllum flower is spoken of in the ancient literature of some other Asian countries too.
What are the different meanings associated with the Queen of the night flower?
According to Sri Lankan legends, the queen of the night flower meaning has an association with the Nagas of Sri Lanka. It is believed that Nagas descend from heaven when this exquisite flower blooms. The flower is asserted to be celestial and is called Kadupul in Sri Lanka.
In India, the queen of the night flower meaning is popular as the Bramha Kamal. According to the Hindu religion, the universe is created by the deity Bramha. Bramha Kamal or Epiphyllum is considered an extraordinary creation of the Hindu deity. There is a belief that every wish made at the time of blooming of Bramha Kamal gets fulfilled.
The queen of the night flower meaning lies in its Japanese name Gekka Bijin. The English translation of this Japanese name is ‘Beauty under the moon’.
While certain cultures associate the queen of the night flower meaning with wish fulfilment and stellar beauty, Chinese culture takes a dig at its transient nature and call it flash in a pan. Epiphyllum teaches us patience and the art of appreciating little things in life.
What does the Queen of the night flower symbolize?
The queen of the night flower symbolism is associated with luck in many countries around the world. This flower brings luck and fulfils the desires of the heart. People offer the flower of epiphyllum to deities showing their devotion. The queen of the night flower meaning is a symbol of the value of perseverance. This auspicious flower embodies hearty admiration.
The queen of the night flower meaning represents how eternity lies in small moments. This furthermore implies the ephemeral nature of good time in life. People gift these plants to individuals who are a reason for their happiness.
What do the various colors of the Queen of the night flower mean?
The fragrant flowers of Epiphyllum are rare and expensive. These delicate flowers are available in white, pink, red and yellow. Let’s see what these variants of the queen of the night flower mean:
White
This is the most common colour of the epiphyllum flower. White Kadupul flowers represent purity and innocence. These flowers are a symbol of peace and devotion. The white queen of the night flower has deep spiritual meaning in almost all parts of the world. These flowers are given to deities as offerings.
Pink
The vibrant pink color of these flowers symbolizes joy and youth. Pink Epiphyllum flowers are gifted to show empathy and affection. These flowers represent tenderness and appreciation.
Red
This is one of the rarest varieties of the queen of the night flower. Red is the colour of love and romance. Gifting this rare plant is a perfect gift for someone precious. Agreeably, this flower also symbolizes passion and motivation.
Yellow
The Yellow Epiphyllum flower is a symbol of confidence and optimism. These flowers stand for happiness and enthusiasm. Yellow flowers bring positivity and warmth to the places where they bloom.
Interesting facts about the Queen of the night flower
- The queen of the night flower is also called an orchid cactus as it is a cactus that is an epiphyte like an orchid.
- The green photosynthesizing part of the plant is mostly confused as its leaves. But just like other members of the cactus family, these are fleshy stems of the plant.
- Epiphyllum plants can be easily grown from their stem cuttings.
- These plants thrive at places where they receive adequate morning sunlight but are protected from the harsh afternoon sun.
- Epiphyllum can be trained to climb on stakes or poles. This is also an ideal plant for hanging baskets.
- Even though it blooms only once a year and each flower lasts at most for a night, each mature plant produces a huge number of flowers in a single blooming season.
- In some places, it is also known as the flower from the moon.
Best time to gift someone the Queen of the night flower
Blooming of the Queen of the night flower is considered a good omen. These are the perfect gifts for any auspicious occasion like weddings, birthdays or baby showers.
These flowers embody patience and the act of waiting. That’s why the Epiphyllum plant is an awesome farewell gift. Gifting someone a cactus orchid plant indicates that you admire the person.
The queen of the night flower is cited as a heavenly flower in several ancient texts. It is an extraordinary and expensive flower. Giving it as a gift to someone shows how precious they are for you.
Flower of Epiphyllum tells us that moments of joy may be ephemeral but numerous such moments are waiting for us in the future. Instead of whining about these short-living joys, we should keep looking forward for more such moments to bloom.
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