Chrysanthemum - Birth Month Flower of November
Discover the meaning of November’s flower, the chrysanthemum, and learn how these flower bouquets can make for the perfect gifts for different occasions. Often associated with funerals, you can still have chrysanthemum flowers delivered for all manner of special events and occasions. Find out more about the history and meanings of chrysanthemums and how you can brighten up someone’s day with carefully created flower arrangements of these wonderful blooms.
The Colourful Autumn Flower
During November you are certain to find florists filled with chrysanthemums as this in the season in which they bloom. One of the most brilliant things about these flowers is that they are available in a huge range of colours. Chrysanthemums bloom in red, yellow, white, purple, red, pink, orange, and even in several different colours in the one flower. This makes them an extremely versatile flower for weddings and can add tremendous colour to an autumnal event.
The Meaning of Chrysanthemums
It is said that certain colours of this flower have different meanings including that red signifies love, yellow a more delicate type of love, and white for truth. The huge heads of the flower mean that you don’t need a lot of stems to make an impact in a bouquet which can make them cheap flowers to purchase as a gift or to use at a special event. It is thought that the very first documentation of the chrysanthemum is in China in the 15th century. The Chinese believed that the flower’s roots had medicinal uses and they would boil the roots and drink them to cure headaches. The newly sprouting buds and flowers of the plant would be used in different dishes too. In fact, the flower was so revered that a city was named after the flower, Chu-Hsien with the name translating as Chrysanthemum City.
Chrysanthemums in Japan
It wasn’t long before Japan saw the appeal of chrysanthemums and in the 4th century, the flower became the crest and symbol of the Emperor. Japan even has a National Chrysanthemum Day which is referred to as the “Festival of Happiness.”
What’s in a Name?
The flower has been known as different names over the centuries but when it arrived in Europe in the 17th century, it received its name from Carl Linneaus, the Swedish botanist. Linneaus took the Greek word, Chrysos, meaning gold, and anthemion which means flower. During the Victorian era, people would gift these flowers to one another as a symbol of friendship. The Chinese gift chrysanthemums to their elderly to signify long life and good luck within their homes. Australians love to gift these blooms to their mothers on Mother’s Day.
How to Gift Chrysanthemums
Certain colours of the flower have different meanings, and therefore if you want to send a particularly thoughtful gift to friends and relatives, choose the relevant colour. Violet chrysanthemums are usually sent to the sick to wish them well. Yellow are sometimes sent to signify sorrow and so are best gifted to loved ones who have recently been bereaved. Red symbolise love and passion and so your partner would appreciate a bouquet of Chrysanthemums in this colour. White chrysanthemums symbolise loyalty and honesty which makes them a popular choice for weddings and to gift to parents of a new baby.
Chrysanthemums for Your Home
Treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of these blooms and brighten your home during the autumn months. As they are available in various colours you will find it easy to select the right bouquet for your colour scheme and décor. It is very important that you don’t introduce chrysanthemums to your home if you have cats as they are very toxic if ingested by these animals. Also, check that the recipient doesn’t have cats before you send these flowers as a gift.