Lucky Flowers for Your Wedding
Being a wedding florist for couples coming to France, I am aware of some difference to advise my couples when they select their flowers. For example, no chysanthemums in your bouquet in France. Conscious selection of flowers, herbs and botanics was something ancient Romans and Greeks did to ward off evil spirits. Perhaps not as superstitious in modern times but what other flowers bring luck and good fortune to couples from other parts of the world today?
The well-adored peony-irresistible right? Peonies are believed to bring weath, marital happiness and even passion in China and Korea.
Roses have always been associated with love but also fertility. In Greece, rose petals and rice are thrown at the couple as they circle for the final time of the Dance of Isaiah bringing love and abundance.
Rosemary means remembrance in the language of flowers but in the Czech Republic, it is for love too.
Jasmine and its odorific delight is often in flowers in Hawaii and India. Small garlands of it can be found on wrists, hair and for guests to wear.
In Ireland, lavender is for devotion.
Polynesian lilies calledthe cordyline fructose lily is a sacred flower tied around the wrists ofthe couple and believed to ward off evil spirits and attract positive ones.
Orange blossom is one of the oldest and most written about in history books as a flower for weddings. It was in Queen Victoria’s flower crown in 1840. Any flower that also bears a fruit is considered lucky, bring fertility and considered a symbol of purity. Other cultures such as China, India and Persian use orange blossom in their marital symbolism.
Lily of the Valley is a symbol of purity and means a return to happiness. In the Catholic religion, lily of the valley are believed to be the tears of Mary at the Crucifixion.
Marigolds are considered an aphrodisiac in Tudor England-you can eat marigolds so…
The Indian wedding with the jaimala and varmala garlands have marigolds, olive branches (sign of peace) and flowers that bear fruit after flowering for fertility.
The gardenia is for love and purity in Tahiti.
