Anniversary flowers: what should you give away?
Undoubtedly the most celebrated anniversary of all is the Wedding Anniversary and there is no better way to express your feelings than by giving flowers. Who can not be excited when they open the door and find a bouquet or an arrangement complete with a romantic note? Certainly when it comes to women, romance isn’t complete without flowers; but there are so many, how do you choose? One way is to look at the anniversary itself and take inspiration from the tradition. Single flowers are a lovely gift, flowers you’ve thought of are even better.
Prior to the 1930s only the 1st, 10th, 20th, 25th, 50th and 70th anniversaries had an assigned material and flower, however over the years more have been added, these are the traditional ones most people are familiar.
1st – Carnation: Symbol of pride and beauty. Also known as the paper anniversary.
The Goddess Artemis was returning home after an unsuccessful day of hunting when she met a shepherd playing his flute. She was angry, accused him of scaring animals and gouged out his eyes. But she then realized what a terrible thing she had done and she cast her eyes to the ground and carnations grew in her place.
2nd – Lily of the Valleys: Symbol of Purity of Heart. Also known as the cotton anniversary.
The Lily of the Valley was created from Eve’s tears when she was expelled from the Garden of Eden.
3rd – Sunflower: Symbol of pure thoughts and delivered love. Also known as the leather anniversary.
Clytie the nymph was so saddened when Helios the Sun God did not return her love that she sat on the ground day and night watching him ride his chariot across the sky until finally his limbs began to take root in the earth. and it became the flower we know today as the Sunflower.
4th – Hydrangea: Symbol of heartfelt emotions. Also known as the linen anniversary.
First discovered in Japan, the name hydrangea comes from the Greek ‘hyder’ meaning water and ‘angos’ meaning a jar or container, this roughly translates to ‘barrel of water’, referring to hydrangeas’ need for much water.
5th – Daisy: Symbol of loyal love and joy. Also known as the anniversary of the wood.
It is said that the daisy arose from the tears of Mary Magdalene at the crucifixion of Christ.
6th – Calla Lilly. Symbol of magnificence and beauty. Also known as the iron anniversary.
In ancient Rome, Calla Lilly was associated with the winter solstice and the flowers were forced to bloom indoors during the darkest time of the year to celebrate the preservation of light. At the beginning of the 20th century it was thought to be the funeral flower, but later it became associated with weddings.
7th – Freesia: symbol of innocence and consideration. Also known as the copper anniversary.
Freesias date back about 200 years in South Africa. These fragrant flowers got their name from him when Dr. Christian Ecklan named them after his friend, the German botanist Frederich HT Freese.
8th – Lilac: symbol of youthful innocence. Also known as the anniversary of ceramics.
Lila got its name from the Greek word ‘syrinx’ which means ‘pipe’ because lumberjacks made their pipes out of lilac.
9th – Bird of Paradise Flower: Symbol of joy and magnificence. Also known as the willow anniversary.
The Bird of Paradise is known as the Crane Flower in its native South Africa. It is named after the actual Birds of Paradise, which are the most beautiful birds in the world, with their brilliantly colored plumage and fan-shaped tails.
10th – Narcissus: Symbol of new beginnings and eternal life. Also Known As Can
anniversary.
One of the most popular spring flowers. Always give them a bouquet, never a single flower that means bad luck.
11 – Tulip: Symbol of the declaration of love. Also known as the anniversary of steel.
The most popular spring flower of all time, known for its many colors, heights, and shapes.
12 – Peony: Symbol of happy marriage and good health. Also known as the anniversary of silk.
Paeon was a student of Asclepius, god of medicine and healing. Leto, Goddess of Fertility, taught her how to obtain a magical root that would soothe the pain of women in childbirth. But Asclepius was jealous and threatened to kill his student. Zeus saved Paeon by turning him into a peony.
13 – Chrysanthemum: symbol of fidelity and optimism. Also known as the anniversary of lace.
Confucius first wrote about the chrysanthemum in 500 B.C. Until recently it was the flower of the nobles and the commoners could not cultivate them. They are one of China’s ‘Four Most Elegant Plants’, the others being orchid, bamboo and ume. The Chinese say; If you want to be happy all your life, grow chrysanthemums.
14 – Dahlia: Symbol of dignity and good taste. Also known as the Ivory Anniversary.
An old legend tells that dahlias appeared in the place where the last fire was extinguished before the Ice Age. The birth of the dahlias became a sign of hope that life and happiness would eventually return.
15 – Pink. Symbol of love, passion and perfection. Also known as the crystal anniversary.
The rose in all its varieties is still the most popular flower in the world and is considered the symbol of love.
20 – Aster: Symbol of patience and love for variety. Also known as China’s anniversary.
The Aster grew from the tears of Alsterea, Goddess of the ‘Starry Sky’ who wept when she saw no stars when she looked towards the Earth.
25 – Iris: Symbol of wisdom and valuable friendship. Also known as the silver anniversary.
The Iris is named after Iris, goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods.
30 – Lily: Symbol of purity and refined beauty. Also known as the anniversary of the pearl.
Dedicated to the goddess Hera, the lily was an important flower throughout the ancient world. Lilies were carved on the walls of Solomon’s Temple, mentioned frequently in the Bible and a sacred flower to the Minoans. According to legend, when Hera threw baby Hercules, her mother’s milk splashed into the heavens forming the Milky Way, but a few drops fell to earth and the first lilies sprouted from them.
40 – Gladiolus: Symbol of strength of character. Also known as the anniversary of the ruby.
Svet and Terres were two Thracian warriors who were ordered to fight each other in the Colosseum in Rome before becoming gladiators. The winner would marry the commander’s daughter, but they stuck their swords into the ground and refused to fight. The crowd was disgusted and the couple was executed, but when their bodies touched the ground, two gladioli grew from the hilts of their swords.
50 – Violet: Symbol of modesty, fidelity and innocence. Also known as the golden anniversary.
Napoleon’s Josephine wore a necklace of violets on her wedding day, and Napoleon sent her a bouquet of violets every year on their anniversary.
60 – Also known as the diamond anniversary.
There’s no specific flower for the 60th anniversary, but some lovely customs have sprung up in recent years.
1. A bouquet of different types of white flowers, one flower for each year.
2. Gifts of appropriately named roses or other plants for the garden, such as the lavender ‘Diamond Wedding’ rose or the perfectly named Agapanthus (Greek for ‘love flower’ in the ‘double diamond’ variety).
3. Sometimes gifts for the other side, with the children combining to buy their parents a meaningful gift, while the happy couple gives plants to the children and grandchildren as a permanent memento of the occasion.
The 60th anniversary celebration became popular when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. The word ‘diamond’ comes from the Greek ‘adamas’ which means invincible and enduring. Many believe that the ‘fire’ in the diamond symbolizes the constant flame of love.
70 – A beautiful bouquet. Also known as the platinum anniversary.
Not much has been written about this anniversary, but it is set to become more common. Each and every one of the flowers is appropriate as a celebration of a very special relationship that has stood the test of time, but perhaps it is best to return to the symbology of the bridal bouquet itself, perhaps repeating the flowers that the bride brought so long ago. time, or give the orange blossom, symbol of eternal love.