Franklin Dean
Flowers are an integral part of wedding decor, but they can also carry symbolic meanings and evoke superstitions. The choice of flowers and their colours can be influenced by beliefs about luck, love, and protection. For example, roses are a symbol of love and romance, while ivy is believed to ward off witches and conceal drunkenness. In China and Japan, white flowers are rarely used in weddings, as they are associated with death and bad luck. Instead, red, pink, and yellow flowers dominate to convey joy and auspiciousness. In Western culture, red and white flowers together are sometimes considered a sign of bad luck, associated with blood and bandages from the First World War. However, these superstitions vary across cultures and personal beliefs, and some choose to ignore them altogether.
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What You'll Learn
- Red and white flowers are considered bad luck by some older people
- In China and Japan, white flowers are rarely used at weddings
- In Greece, roses are believed to symbolise fertility
- In China, peonies are incorporated into weddings to enhance wealth and prosperity
- In Korea, peonies are believed to symbolise a happy marriage and passion
Red and white flowers are considered bad luck by some older people
Flowers are an integral part of a wedding's decor, but they also play a significant role in the storytelling of the day. Many flowers have certain symbolic meanings, and some are even believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. However, some older people consider red and white flowers together to be a sign of bad luck.
Red and white flowers have been associated with funerals and death, particularly during the First World War, when they were believed to represent blood and bandages. This association has led to the superstition that having only red and white flowers at a wedding is a sign of imminent death. While some people may not be bothered by this superstition, it is important to consider the potential impact on older guests who hold these beliefs.
In some cultures, the colour of flowers is particularly significant. For example, white flowers are rarely seen at Chinese or Japanese weddings as they are associated with death in these cultures. Instead, red, pink, and yellow flowers dominate to convey joy, vibrancy, and auspiciousness. Similarly, chrysanthemums are avoided in Eastern and Southern Europe for most yearly festivals but are commonly used to honour lost souls in early November.
The specific types of flowers chosen can also carry symbolic meanings. For example, roses are a traditional wedding flower that symbolises love, with red roses representing love and desire and white roses symbolising purity and innocence. Calla lilies represent beauty, while ivy symbolises never-ending love and was believed to ward off witches in ancient Greece.
While some people may dismiss these superstitions, they can still influence the choices made by couples planning their weddings. It is not uncommon for brides to avoid certain flowers due to their associations with funerals or bad luck. Ultimately, the choice of flowers for a wedding should align with the couple's vision and any personal or sentimental attachments they may have to specific blooms.
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In China and Japan, white flowers are rarely used at weddings
Flowers are an integral part of wedding decor, and different types of flowers and colours carry different symbolic meanings. In China, weddings are lively and full of colour, with red and gold playing an essential role in the ceremony. The colour red represents love, fertility, loyalty, and success, while pink symbolises happiness and is used to repel evil spirits. Gold, on the other hand, is believed to bring fortune and wealth. White flowers, on the other hand, are rarely used in Chinese weddings as they are considered inauspicious and are associated with death and mourning. Similarly, dark purple and dark blue flowers are avoided. Instead, flowers like orchids, lotus buds, and lilies are considered auspicious and are popular choices.
In Japan, the colour white is also generally avoided in weddings as it is associated with death and mourning. White chrysanthemums, in particular, are used exclusively for mourning in Japanese culture. While red and pink flowers are popular choices for Chinese weddings, they may not be as common in Japanese weddings as they are also associated with happiness and good fortune, which may not be the primary sentiment that couples wish to convey. Instead, flowers like orchids, cherry blossoms, and irises are often given as tokens of appreciation and can be suitable for weddings.
In both Chinese and Japanese cultures, the specific types of flowers and colours chosen for weddings can hold symbolic meanings and convey different sentiments. While white flowers may be avoided in these cultures due to their association with mourning, other colours and flower varieties are embraced to bring positivity, good fortune, and well-wishes to the newlywed couple.
It is worth noting that wedding traditions and superstitions can vary across different regions and communities, and personal preferences may also play a role in the final flower selections.
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In Greece, roses are believed to symbolise fertility
Flowers play a significant role in weddings, with their beauty and fragrance enhancing the decor and symbolism of the occasion. The choice of flowers often carries unique meanings rooted in specific beliefs and cultural traditions.
Roses are also believed to symbolise fertility in weddings due to their colour. In floriography, or the language of flowers, different rose colours convey distinct meanings. Red roses, for example, symbolise true love, passion, and the desire for a fertile marriage. White roses represent purity and innocence, while yellow roses can signify friendship, jealousy, or infidelity. Pink roses convey gratitude, grace, and happiness, making them meaningful symbols during pregnancy.
Beyond their colour, roses are associated with fertility due to their presence in ancient myths and rituals. In ancient Rome, roses were strewn on the ground during festivals and ceremonies dedicated to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The fragrance of roses was believed to possess aphrodisiac properties, further enhancing their association with love and passion.
In Greek weddings, roses play a prominent role during the ceremonial "Dance of the Isaiah". As the couple circles the altar three times, rose petals are tossed towards them, invoking blessings of love, fertility, and abundance.
While the rose is a prominent symbol of fertility in Greek weddings, other flowers also hold significance. For example, myrtle, with its fragrant leaves and delicate white blossoms, symbolises love, marriage, and the hope of bearing children. Brides may carry myrtle branches or wear myrtle wreaths as a gesture of their hopes for a fertile future.
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In China, peonies are incorporated into weddings to enhance wealth and prosperity
Flowers are an integral part of wedding decor, and their colours and types are often chosen based on their symbolic meanings. For instance, in Western cultures, red roses are a symbol of love, while white roses symbolise purity. However, in the context of red and white flowers together, some sources claim that this combination is considered a sign of bad luck by superstitious people, particularly the older generation. This belief is associated with the idea of "blood and bandages".
In China, peonies hold a significant cultural value and are often incorporated into weddings to attract wealth and prosperity. Known as the "king of flowers", "flower of riches and honour", or the "flower of wealth and honour", peonies have been cultivated for over 2,000 years and are associated with abundance, luxury, and positive energy. Their opulent appearance, with abundant petals, makes them a prominent symbol of wealth. This belief in the positive influence of peonies is shared by Feng Shui practitioners, who recommend placing them in homes or gardens to enhance positive energy and bring financial success.
The history of peonies in China dates back to ancient times, when they were planted in the gardens of emperors and nobility. During the Tang dynasty, vast gardens of peonies reflected the wealth and power of emperors. This flower's importance is also reflected in Chinese art, poetry, and folklore, where they are often featured and compared to beautiful women. Today, peonies continue to be a popular choice for Chinese weddings, featured in decor, bridal bouquets, and arrangements, symbolising wealth, high social status, and a prosperous future for the newlyweds.
The presence of peonies in weddings transcends cultures, with similar beliefs held in Korea, where they symbolise a happy marriage and passion, and in Western cultures, particularly during the Victorian era, where they were cherished for their association with prosperity and a happy life. In Western cultures, peonies are also strongly associated with romance, love, and abundance, making them a popular choice for bridal bouquets and couples' gardens.
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In Korea, peonies are believed to symbolise a happy marriage and passion
Flowers are an integral part of a wedding's decor, and many flower species carry symbolic meanings. Some couples may choose to incorporate flowers with certain meanings into their wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. For instance, roses are a symbol of love and romance, and in Greek weddings, they symbolise fertility.
Peonies have also been used extensively in Korean art, especially during the Goryeo dynasty and the early and mid-Joseon dynasty. During this time, artists often painted peonies alongside birds and other plants. Later Joseon-era painters placed more emphasis on peonies, often painting them without any accompanying plants or birds and making their blossoms fuller and more voluptuous. The Joseon royal court used a peony-themed folding screen during important events, including royal weddings.
While peonies are believed to symbolise a happy marriage in Korea, some other flowers carry different meanings that couples may not want to include in their weddings. For example, petunias represent resentment and anger, and daffodils represent unrequited love. Similarly, some people may be superstitious about the colours of their wedding flowers. For instance, some older people associate red and white flowers with imminent death or funerals and consider them to be a sign of bad luck.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding flower superstitions vary across cultures. In China and Japan, white flowers are rarely seen at weddings, while red, pink, and yellow dominate to convey joy, vibrancy, and auspiciousness. In Eastern and Southern Europe, chrysanthemums are avoided for most yearly festivals but are used to honour lost souls in early November. In Greece, rose petals are tossed at the couple as they circle the altar three times during the dance, inviting abundance into their marriage.
The colour of flowers can change their symbolic meaning. For example, red roses symbolise love and desire, whereas white roses represent purity and innocence.
"Inauspicious" flowers are those that are actively shunned due to negative associations. For example, yellow roses may be considered "inauspicious" if they are associated with jealousy or infidelity. Similarly, daffodils represent respect but also unrequited love, and lotus flowers symbolise estranged love.
Some couples may avoid certain flowers due to personal or cultural superstitions. For example, one source mentions that a bride requested no white roses as her grandmother associated them with funerals. Another couple avoided ivy and heather in their floral arrangements. Ultimately, it is up to the couple to decide which flowers hold symbolic meaning for them.
Flowers that symbolise good luck and prosperity include roses, peonies, heather, anthuriums, and cornflowers.
