From generation to generation, people pass on traditions – knowledge and practical skills based on their own experience. Floral traditions are no exception. The national plant symbols of different countries, interesting customs related to the delivery of flowers, and their importance in the lives of people will be discussed further.
World’s National Flowers
Let’s start with the flower queen. The rose is a symbol of love and greatness in the UK, Bulgaria, Iran, and its varieties symbolize several American states (New York, North Dakota, Iowa).
Lotus is the symbol of spirituality in Eastern countries, it represents the origins of life on earth, creativity, wisdom, and aspiration to eternity. This flower is sacred in India, Japan and China. And for Bangladesh its image has even become an element of the coat of arms.
Iris is a symbol of the state of Tennessee, presenting this delicate primrose on the coats of arms of France and Florence, Italy. The coat of arms and flag of Mexico adorns the flowering cactus, the coat of arms of Scotland – lily, Australia – acacia, and Turkmenistan – cotton flowers. Many areas of our country also have a coat of arms with images of various flowers – immortal, forget-me-not, chamomile, sunflower.
Interesting floral traditions
In every country, flowers are venerated specially. We made a selection of the most interesting, which will tell you a little about the flower rituals of other people.
The perfect way to express feelings in China is to have an original wedding ceremony. During the annual peony festival, hundreds of young people tie their fates, calling for beautiful flowers to witness the ceremony.
In Belgium, a biennial flower festival is held. The main object of the event is an unsurpassed carpet of millions of flowers that covers the streets of Brussels. Thanks to this country in other countries a tradition of creating such creations.
In Bulgaria, an annual festival of roses is held, and Italy is famous to the whole world for its cosy courtyards, drowning in flowers. In Spain, every year there is a holiday of May crosses with fragrant flowers. In Florence, there is a competition of irises, and in Canada – the largest festival of tulips.
Which flowers can not be given in different countries
Quite unusual for us are the traditions of bans on the art of flower presentation. In England, less than 12 buds are not accepted. In Kenya, there is no tradition of giving flowers in general – they are presented only in mourning cases. In Belgium, white flowers are not allowed, they are considered a symbol of sadness, in Turkey – white-blue shades of flowers, and in Japan – daffodils.
In Hungary, the symbol of sorrow is chrysanthemums. And in Latin America, grief is symbolized by red colour. In Germany, pure white and yellow flowers are not given, they can be presented only in combination with other colours. And in France, the yellow colour of the composition is considered a symbol of treason.
Regardless of the colour, aroma, the number of buds in the composition and the reason for the gift, flowers are inextricably linked to the culture of any country. When they express human feelings without words, they give joyful emotions.
