The Complete Guide to the Symbolism and Flower Language of Narcissus
Narcissus, with its ice-like flesh and jade-like bones, delicate and elegant, with an otherworldly grace, is poetically known as the "Fairy of the Waves." Narcissus blooms during the Spring Festival and is regarded as an auspicious omen for the new year, as well as a flower of good fortune. Pure white as snow and richly fragrant, narcissus was already cultivated in the Tang Dynasty and is one of China's top ten famous flowers. Narcissus not only has ornamental value but also medicinal value, including clearing heat and detoxifying, and dispersing nodules and reducing swelling. Narcissus has also been endowed with many floral meanings, and many legendary narcissus tales circulate among the people.
Meanings of Narcissus:
Respect, longing, reunion. Narcissus is one of China's top ten famous flowers. Every Chinese New Year, people like to display narcissus in clean water as a decorative touch for the season. Narcissus is also known as "golden cup and silver platform" - true to its name, with green skirts and blue sashes, standing gracefully upon clear waves. Its pure white blossoms are transcendent and refined, elegantly fragrant and especially moving, like a fairy of the waves stepping across the water. Moreover, the narcissus of China is a variety of the multi-flowered narcissus.
The symbolism of narcissus at Chinese New Year: longing, representing reunion.
The flower language of narcissus varies across different contexts and different species:
In Turkey, the flower language of narcissus is: Please do not forget me.
In ancient Greece, the flower language of narcissus is: Narcissism. (Legend has it that in ancient Greek mythology, a beautiful youth was punished by falling in love with his own reflection in the water, and over time he transformed into a narcissus. Thus narcissus came to carry the meaning of narcissism.)
Narcissus flower language: Respect. Among narcissus species, the one that influenced the British most deeply was the wild narcissus, which was beloved by many British poets and painters, including the great poet Wordsworth. Therefore, the flower language of the wild narcissus is "respect."
Chinese narcissus: Sentimental, missing you.
Western narcissus: Anticipation of love, loving you, purity.
Yellow narcissus: Rekindling love.
Mountain narcissus: Beautiful times, thriving prosperity.
Narcissus at Chinese New Year symbolizes longing, representing reunion.
In the West, the free translation of narcissus is "flower of love's reflection," and its flower language is steadfast love, which by extension means introspection and sincerity toward love.
Flower language of autumn crocus: Youth without regret. (The autumn crocus was chosen to honor Saint Hyacinthus, a youth of the Roman era who was executed at a young age. Later, people used the autumn crocus as a continuation of Saint Hyacinthus's life to commemorate this youth who gave his youth for his mission. Therefore, its flower language is "youth without regret.")