The Latest Cornflower Flower Language and Legends
The cornflower is native to Europe and was originally a wild flower. After years of cultivation by people, its “wild” nature diminished, its flowers grew larger, and its colors increased. There are varieties in purple, blue, light red, white, and more, with purple and blue being the most prized. In Germany, it can be found everywhere on hillsides, in fields, by the water, along roadsides, and around houses, and it is regarded as the national flower of Germany. Now let us take a look at the flower language and legends of the cornflower!
The Flower Language of the Cornflower
Happiness, meticulousness, and elegance. The flower language of the blue cornflower is encounter, and the flower language of the purple cornflower is gentle and lovely. The cornflower's slender figure and medium-sized flowers are as fresh and beautiful as a young girl, symbolizing maidenly virtue and elegance. The cornflower loves sunlight, and its medium-sized flower heads grow at the tips of slender stems, like graceful young girls praying for happiness and joy. Therefore, the flower language of the cornflower carries the meanings of happiness, meticulousness, and elegance. In some places, young girls would flatten cornflowers and place them in their undergarments. If after one hour the cornflower petals still remained flat and broad, it meant they would meet their other half. Thus, the flower language of the cornflower is also encounter.
The Legends of the Cornflower
1. Legend One: Queen Louise, the mother of Prussian Emperor William I, was forced to leave Berlin during a civil war. While fleeing, the carriage broke down. As she and her two children stopped by the roadside to wait, she discovered blue cornflowers blooming along the road. She wove these flowers into a wreath and placed it on the chest of nine-year-old William. Later, when William I was crowned Emperor of Germany, he still loved cornflowers very much and considered them a flower of good fortune. The cornflower also inspires people to be cautious and to learn with an open mind.
2. Legend Two: A legend is widely circulated among the German people. The great ancient hero Arminius, on a military campaign, unfortunately contracted an eye disease. One night, the god of war Ares came to Arminius in a dream and told him that the small blue flowers blooming by the roadside in the morning could cure his eyes. The next day, Arminius indeed found the small blue flowers by the roadside and crushed them to apply to his eyes. Soon, Arminius's eyes recovered, and he returned in triumph. So he called the cornflower the “guardian of the eyes” and spread it widely.
The Uses of the Cornflower
1. Ornamental: Tall cornflower plants are upright with long flower stalks. They can be planted alongside other herbaceous flowers to decorate flower beds and flower borders, or planted in patches along roadsides or in lawns. Their plant form is graceful and their flowers are elegant, very natural. They are suitable as cut flowers and can also be used as flower path material. Dwarf varieties grow only 20 cm tall and can be used for flower beds, lawn edging, or potted ornamental display.
2. Beauty: The cornflower can nourish the face and beautify the skin, relax the mood, aid digestion, and promote smooth urination. Cornflower hydrosol is a very gentle natural skin cleanser. The floral water can be used to care for hair and moisturize the skin. It can aid digestion, soothe rheumatic pain, and help treat stomach pain, prevent and manage gastritis, gastrointestinal discomfort, bronchitis, and more.
3. Brewing Tea: Cornflower tea is usually brewed on its own and is suitable for pairing with green tea. Take four teaspoons of cornflower and brew with boiling water. The light purple tea infusion can be enhanced with a little honey for extra flavor.