Flowers which symbolize death

Belief in Helping Ghosts Return The use of yellow flowers ties into cultural folklore. World Cultures and Flowers Symbolizing Death Assigning specific meanings to flowers by color is an ancient practice.

Hispanic Culture of Death and Dying. Understanding Death Symbols: Origins and Meanings. Symbolic Flowers for Grief and Sympathy. By Gabrielle Applebury. Which Birds Are Symbols of Death? Chinese Death Rituals. By Charlotte Gerber. Inexpensive Casket Plans. Sympathy Throws on an Easel.

By Michele Meleen. How to Find Comfort in the Midst of Grief. Atacama Desert Cemetery. Outdoor Urn Fountain. Spanish Monuments in California. The outwardly uptight Victorians sent passionate messages via specific flowers. In addition to their secret amours, the Victorians also codified the flowers associated with death and funerals.

Flowers that symbolize death include black roses, which traditionally portend death. Black roses such as black ice and black pearl actually are dark-red roses. Another flower associated with death is the chrysanthemum.

In many European countries, chrysanthemums are only used for funerary bouquets or on graves. Flowers also represent diseases that may lead to death and sometimes are used in fundraising efforts for research. Sunflowers are the symbol for Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, used to represent dignity, hope and grace. Calla lilies, stargazer lilies and other white lilies are traditional funeral flowers.

These flowers, particularly white stargazer lilies, represent sympathy. The yellow rose is a symbol of friendship that expresses your support. All of these colors of roses make great sympathy gifts for a grieving family. Carnation : The carnation is a symbol of love.

With this in mind, a carnation could be given as a gift to a family to honor a life that reflected the spirit of Christ. More generally, it can be used to express love for the family or for the loved one who has passed. Hyacinth : The purple hyacinth is a popular symbol of sorrow and regret. For a funeral setting, this expression is certainly appropriate. Let them know that you are aware of their suffering and that you care.

The purple hyacinth can communicate the pain that you feel upon hearing of their loss, and this simple sentiment is often just what the family needs. Fusing the more positive American associations with the European emphasis on mourning, we find a perfect balance that applies to an end-of-life ceremony. A symbol of death and mourning, but also support and encouragement, the gift of the chrysanthemum is well-suited to a funeral setting.

Gladiolus : The gladiolus is a beautiful representation of strength and character. By giving a grieving family this flower, you essentially remind them what wonderful people they are and encourage them to persevere on their grief journey.