Last updated on May 22nd, 2023 at 09:35 am

Sage, also known as ‘Salvia,’ belongs to the genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae. The flower’s botanical name, Salvia, originates from the Latin word ‘Salvere’ – health, healing, and feeling well. 

Found around the world, from America and Asia to Europe, these perennial herbs are considered miracle plants, known widely for their healing properties. They usually have slender, tubular flowers rich in nectar, with leaves that exude a pleasant fragrance. 

The plant is highly valued across cultures for its numerous medicinal properties and role in attracting positive energy wherever it grows. Sage flowers bloom abundantly and are a favorite among flower enthusiasts and gardeners for their exquisite flowers.

What Does The Sage Flower Symbolize?

These low-growing evergreens have long stood for qualities like long life, thoughtfulness, good health, and wisdom in the language of flowers. 

Among herbalists and spiritual leaders, the sage flower meaning has been associated with knowledge and divinity, often used in religious ceremonies and rites.

Throughout history, they have been used in traditional medicinal practices for curing snake bites, improving a woman’s fertility, treating dementia, and driving away evil spirits. 

For the ancient Romans, sage was considered a sacred plant used in rituals and referred to as a ‘holy herb.’ Stories mention an elaborate harvesting ceremony of sage with a special knife. 

Before beginning, the person gathering these flowers must offer a food sacrifice to the gods and have clean clothes and feet. Romans are also said to have used these perennials as a local anesthetic and diuretic.

In the Bible, it is believed that Mary and infant Jesus hid in a sage bush while hiding from Herod the Great. The sage flower’s meaning was also linked with longevity, as ancient cultures believed eating sage was the key to eternal life and immortality.

The British consider this versatile plant as one of the essential herbs among other culturally important herbs such as thyme, palsy, and rosemary.

Celtic mythology and folklore also associate the flower with intelligence and immortality. They believed that it makes a person wiser and improves their memory. 

A superstition says that the plant will wither when things go bad. 

Pagan practitioners were thought to have believed that sage could ward off evil spirits and keep negative energies at bay.

All in all, the sage flower symbolic meanings are:

  • wisdom
  • thoughtfulness
  • longevity
  • good health
  • immortality
  • esteem
  • domestic virtue

Meaning Of The Sage Flower Colors

Red color

This scarlet sage plant is known for its spiky, striking flowers. Like most red flowers, the red sage flower is closely linked to passion and adoration. This is the most popular variant grown globally and is traditionally associated with romance, desire, and young love. Its vibrant red blossoms are said to symbolize a “forever mine” feeling and are a popular flower among couples. 

In some cultures, they are also believed to expel negative energy, purify body and soul, and usher in good fortune.

Blue color

Traditionally, the blue sage flower often symbolizes family and close friendship. While the red sage plant embodies a feeling of “forever mine,” the blue variant is associated with feelings of remembrance, missing, and tribute. They also represent good health, knowledge, healing, and long life.

Pink color

In the language of flowers, the pink petals of the sage herb signify gentility, feminine grace, elegance, and pure love. The delicate pink hues of this flower are also believed to represent sensitivity, youthful innocence, and playfulness.

Purple color

Like purple, the purple sage flower’s meaning has become synonymous with success, grandeur, and opulence. They are often associated with royals and dignified people, but they also stand for pride, honor, and respect. A carefully curated bouquet of these dark flowers will convey feelings of success and pride.

Interesting Facts About The Sage Flowers

  • During the 8th–14th century, the word ‘sage’ in old French meant a knowledgeable, educated, and skilled person.
  • Sage is well known as a psychoactive herb. In Mexico, it is used in rituals for treating people owing to its hallucinogenic properties.
  • The plant is also used for cooking in some traditions, especially seasoning. During thanksgiving, sage is one of the main stuffing ingredients for the turkey.
  • Across cultures, sage alleviates digestion problems and is known to cure anemia, diarrhea, and sore throat. The tea from these flowers is a remedy for menopause symptoms and headaches.
  • When Black Death was wreaking havoc in Europe, this miraculous plant was one of the herbs used to protect the person against the plague.
  • There is also a belief that sage is good for the brain. They greatly help improve memory, reasoning power, and concentration. This is how the word sage came to be linked with a wise person.
  • Sage leaves are a popular ingredient in herbal teas that serve as a cure for depression and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

How To Grow Sage Flowers

Sage is attractive with grayish-green foliage and beautiful purple-pink blossoms. It is equally at home grown outdoors in garden beds or indoors in containers.

  1. Plant the sage in sandy or loamy soil with good drainage and slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.
  2. Place the plant where it can get at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
  3. Be sure to water the young plants regularly until fully grown so they don’t dry out.

How To Care For Sage Flowers

  1. Once established, water the sage plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil dries out.
  2. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering, as this can induce mildew.
  3. In the spring, use organic fertilizer or compost in the soil.
  4. Prune the heavier, woody stems every spring.
  5. Replace the plants every few years, so they remain productive.

Best Time To Gift Sage Flowers

Since historic times, sage flowers have been a subject of mystery and magic. They are a great gift to express your heartfelt emotions to your loved ones. 

Gifting sage flowers will bring calmness, blessings, balance, and good luck to the recipient’s life. Sage can be a good option for yoga and meditation lovers as it ushers in positivity and inner peace. 

Depending on their color, these extraordinary flowers have different meanings connected to them. Purple sage flowers can be gifted as a gesture of romantic intent or a symbol of admiration for someone you respect. You can also give a bouquet of blue sage flowers if you are thinking about that special someone and want to convey how much you miss them.

Conclusion

Sage flowers are among the most common, versatile, and beautiful plants. Throughout the decades, these one-of-a-kind flowers have occupied a special position in gardens, kitchens, medicine cabinets, and religious events. Salvias are still prized by scientists, artists, cooks and diners, gardeners, and healers.

If you want to know and learn more about flowers, we at PansyMaiden can help you. Check out our fun, easy-to-read, and informative flower-related content that you will surely enjoy!