Red Spider Lily
The beauty of autumn’s red spider lily, Japan’s flower of death
The merciful drop in humidity is a welcome sign that after months of discomfort, summer is at last on the wane. However, a far more reliable indicator is the blossoming of red spider lilies. Higanbana to use one of its many Japanese names. Or simply the flower of death.
Poisonous to rodents and other wild animals, they were often planted in and around graveyards during Japan’s pre-cremation days to stop the dead being eaten. The beginning, perhaps, of their connection with death.
The name of the flower can also refer to ‘the other shore’; its bright colours said to guide souls into the afterlife. An aspect that presumably explains its use at funerals.
And if that wasn’t enough, another story is that red spider lilies bloom along the paths of departing lovers. Companions who for one reason or another are destined to never meet again.
Yet associations with death and departing lovers aside, the higanbana does undoubtedly represent the shift from summer to autumn. A welcome sight after too many long, desperately hot days. Although it’s not just the promise of cooler weather, but also its incredible beauty.
Source: http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/?p=8700
The merciful drop in humidity is a welcome sign that after months of discomfort, summer is at last on the wane. However, a far more reliable indicator is the blossoming of red spider lilies. Higanbana to use one of its many Japanese names. Or simply the flower of death.
Poisonous to rodents and other wild animals, they were often planted in and around graveyards during Japan’s pre-cremation days to stop the dead being eaten. The beginning, perhaps, of their connection with death.
The name of the flower can also refer to ‘the other shore’; its bright colours said to guide souls into the afterlife. An aspect that presumably explains its use at funerals.
And if that wasn’t enough, another story is that red spider lilies bloom along the paths of departing lovers. Companions who for one reason or another are destined to never meet again.
Yet associations with death and departing lovers aside, the higanbana does undoubtedly represent the shift from summer to autumn. A welcome sight after too many long, desperately hot days. Although it’s not just the promise of cooler weather, but also its incredible beauty.
Source: http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/?p=8700
Lily of the Valley
The return of Happiness
Lily of the Valley ❀ The return of happiness is symbolized by the lily of the valley because it blooms in May and reminds us that summer is coming, another meaning the plant can have is ‘let’s make up’. If you and your paramour have had a nasty quarrel and they wanted to show that there was nothing but halcyon days ahead, they would send you lily of the valley.
If a friend is returning after a long journey abroad, sending them a nosegay or pot of lily of the valley would show them how much you’ve missed their company and that return has brought joy into your life,
Victorian women could have ‘lily picnics’ on Whit Monday (a holiday), a picnic, following by gathering lily in the valley in the woods.
Source: http://spiderwebeyelashes.tumblr.com/
Lily of the Valley ❀ The return of happiness is symbolized by the lily of the valley because it blooms in May and reminds us that summer is coming, another meaning the plant can have is ‘let’s make up’. If you and your paramour have had a nasty quarrel and they wanted to show that there was nothing but halcyon days ahead, they would send you lily of the valley.
If a friend is returning after a long journey abroad, sending them a nosegay or pot of lily of the valley would show them how much you’ve missed their company and that return has brought joy into your life,
Victorian women could have ‘lily picnics’ on Whit Monday (a holiday), a picnic, following by gathering lily in the valley in the woods.
Source: http://spiderwebeyelashes.tumblr.com/
Birth Month Flowers
Check to see which birth month lower represents you and your loved one :)
Source: http://www.floristcompare.com.au/occasion/birthday-flowers
Source: http://www.floristcompare.com.au/occasion/birthday-flowers