To not be confused with the Crepe Myrtle, the true Myrtle flower (Myrtus) is an enthralling genus of flowering crops wealthy in historical past and symbolism. A lot of Myrtle’s symbolism is drawn from its years of medicinal and meals use. Nevertheless, it’s additionally a superb landscaping plant and gives blooms, foliage, and berries for minimize flower preparations. On this information, I’ll run by all the pieces you must find out about myrtle flower that means and symbolism, their historical past and origins, and their cultural significance all over the world.
Myrtle Flower Which means & Symbolism – Key Takeaways
With an everlasting symbolic that means of affection and devotion, the Myrtle flower has spiritual connotations which have lasted for hundreds of years. It’s additionally a vital a part of Historic Greek mythology and symbolism. Myrtle flowers are additionally broadly utilized in marriage bouquets and floral preparations at this time.
The Which means, Symbolism, and Cultural Significance of Myrtle Flowers
Etymological Which means
The identify Myrtle stays comparatively unchanged and is related solely with the plant for a lot of centuries, all the best way again to historical Greece. The Greeks picked up the foundation for the phrase from historical Semitic sources that shared the identical root as myrrh, the tree resin used for ritual purification.
There isn’t a connection to different crops sharing the identify, akin to Crepe Myrtle.
Frequent Myrtle Flower Colours and Their Which means & Symbolism
Myrtle flowers are nearly all white or cream-colored. Within the language of flowers, Myrtle’s coloration profile symbolizes purity, hope, and rebirth.
It’s additionally becoming for his or her devotional and romantic meanings, which have endured since Historic Greece.
The Myrtle Flower and Queen Victoria
Within the Victorian period, the “language of flowers” (also called “floriography“) was a preferred method to convey secret messages and sentiments with out the usage of phrases. Flowers, crops, and particular floral preparations expressed emotions that society may need thought of inappropriate or too ahead to state brazenly.
The myrtle flower, within the Victorian language of flowers, symbolized love and affection. It was so carefully related to love and marital constancy that brides would typically embrace myrtle of their bouquets, and Queen Victoria herself had a sprig of myrtle in her marriage ceremony bouquet. This custom has been carried on by different royal brides over time.
Past its associations with weddings, myrtle was additionally thought to carry good luck and happiness to the house, making it a cherished plant in lots of Victorian gardens.
Myrtle Flower Which means in Greek Mythology
The oldest meanings ascribed to the Myrtle plant come from Historic Greece. The flower was thought of sacred to Aphrodite, which provides it a potent layer of affection symbolism.
Garlands of the foliage and blooms had been additionally sacred to the goddess Demeter. This shared symbolism linked farming with romantic love by their frequent theme of devotion.
Even at this time, Myrtle is usually used at weddings and anniversary events alike to represent loyalty and dedication. That is true in a number of cultures, together with Greek and Jewish traditions.
Myrtle Flower Which means in Judaism
In Judaism, Myrtle is likely one of the 4 species of crops used to have fun the pageant of Sukkot. It’s a vacation commemorating the agricultural cycle that historical Jewish area staff adopted.
Meaning it’s not shocking that aromatic and engaging Myrtle branches are a part of the symbolism of the occasion. Myrtle, particularly, performs such an essential function as a result of it’s talked about in Zechariah 1:8 within the Torah. It’s a part of the story of a prophet of God who’s described as standing in a grove of Myrtle timber.
The spiritual symbolism of this plant has expanded to incorporate watchfulness, devotion to religion, and the endurance to face up to challenges. Different spiritual sources hyperlink Myrtle’s perfume to the spreading of excellent works on the earth, making the plant an emblem of purity and goodwill.
Ceremonial and Non secular Makes use of of the Myrtle Flower
Myrtle is utilized in marriage ceremony bouquets all through Europe. Numerous folklore explanations trace at a typical symbolism of romance, devotion, and love.
Some trendy non secular actions use the Myrtle flower to represent purification and rebirth. Its perfume is usually utilized in ladies’s perfumes and even some unisex fragrances.
As a reputation for fictional characters, it’s present in works of literature from The Nice Gatsby to Meet Mr. Mulliner by P. G. Wodehouse.
Appropriate Gifting Events for Myrtle Flowers
Myrtle is mostly used for marriage ceremony decorations and bouquets due to its robust affiliation with romance and love. Nevertheless, it’s additionally appropriate for anniversary items and different flower preparations for romantic and devotional events.
Due to the white coloration of the flowers providing a refined that means of purity and rebirth, it can be a superb floral reward for somebody beginning one thing new.
About Myrtle Crops
Myrtle – Household, Genus, and Taxonomy
Myrtle is the frequent identify for the whole genus of Myrtus. Solely three species are included within the genus at this time:
Myrtus communis, the frequent Myrtle, most individuals are acquainted with
The Myrtus nivellei, or the Saharan myrtle
Myrtus phyllireaefolia, is the least frequent species.
The Myrtus genus is a part of the bigger Myrtaceae household. This household consists of different priceless meals and spice crops like cloves, allspice, guava, and eucalyptus. It’s no surprise Myrtle has an extended historical past of use and symbolism when it’s a part of this plant household.
Botanical Traits, Colours, Fragrances
Myrtle shrubs can keep only a few toes tall or stretch to fifteen toes and extra. They’re all evergreen crops that produce not less than minor flowers and white or blue-colored berries.
The foliage can also be aromatic and stuffed with priceless important oils. Myrtle flowers are nearly all the time white, with some cultivars providing cream-colored blooms as a substitute.
Some databases mistakenly record pink and pink as colours for this plant, however that applies solely to Crepe Myrtle, an unrelated species.
Fashionable Myrtle Sorts, Species, and Cultivars
Frequent Myrtle is the one sort recurrently grown in gardens or used for minimize flowers. It’s usually grown unimproved as a result of it’s a hardy and engaging plant.
Nevertheless, some attention-grabbing varieties are offered for hedging particularly or their distinctive flower varieties. Fashionable cultivars of Myrtle embrace:
‘Boetica’, which carries a benign an infection that results in twisted stem progress
‘Compacta Variegata’, a compact sort with variegated foliage coated in yellow and white splashes
‘Buxifolia’, a small rising hedge selection with additional small leaves for a high quality look.
What Areas are Myrtle Native to?
Myrtle is primarily native to the Mediterranean area, so it has an extended historical past of use in Greece. Frequent Myrtle additionally grows in western Asia and throughout India.
It’s generally grown throughout Southern Europe since it’s well-adapted to dry soils and temperate circumstances. Different varieties, such because the Saharan Myrtle, are discovered solely in sure components of Africa.
When is Myrtle in Season?
The precise blooming window for Myrtle relies on the cultivar and the place it’s planted. Nevertheless, most varieties start blooming by June or July. They depend on warmth to set off vigorous flowering. Most varieties proceed producing new flowers till September or October.
Makes use of and Advantages of Myrtle
Myrtle is likely one of the uncommon flowering shrubs that additionally has edible makes use of. The aromatic leaves are simply used to season meat and soups like bay leaves. Important oils for flavoring are additionally distilled from the leaves and berries.
The ripe berries are edible however not candy and are usually dried and floor as a substitute. Myrtle bark is excessive in salicylic acid-like willow bark, making it a possible pain-killer.
Lastly, the small white flowers have a robust perfume that pulls bees and different pollinators.
The right way to Take care of Myrtle Flowers at Residence
Since Myrtles are softwood cuttings taken from shrubs somewhat than mushy stem clippings, they have an inclination to carry up nicely for a couple of days. They have to nonetheless be put in water instantly upon reducing to remain colourful and agency.
Selecting Myrtle flowers when not less than half of the blooms are nonetheless budding can even assist prolong its life within the vase.
Myrtle Flowers FAQs:
What does a myrtle flower symbolize?
Within the language of flowers, Myrtle’s white and cream-colored petals maintain the symbolic that means of purity, hope, and rebirth. It’s additionally becoming for his or her devotional and romantic meanings, which have endured since Historic Greece.
The aromatic leaves of Myrtle are ceaselessly used to season meat and soups. Important oils for flavoring are additionally distilled from the leaves and berries.
The place do myrtle flowers develop?
The Myrtle flower is primarily native to the Mediterranean area, which is why it has an extended historical past of use in Greece. Frequent Myrtle additionally grows in western Asia and throughout India.
What does Myrtle odor like?
The Myrtle flower has a barely peppery perfume, just like bay leaves in some ways.
Myrtle flowers are usually thought of straightforward to develop. These flowering crops do finest in wealthy, well-draining soil, planted in beds or containers with some safety from the wind in a location that receives full to partial daylight all through nearly all of the day.
Myrtle Flower Which means – Wrapping Up
Myrtle solely grows in sure climates and soil varieties, however it’s an awesome addition to any yard or backyard. Owners having fun with the blooms may pattern the berries or season with the leaves to benefit from the plant. In fact, a sprig of blooming Myrtle flower is wealthy in that means and symbolism and a good way to indicate your like to somebody as nicely.
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Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc diploma in Plant Sciences and has skilled professionally at main floristry colleges in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a world editorial group, Andrew’s a passionate content material creator round all issues flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
