FLOWERS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 7

FLOWERS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

The depth of significance surrounding certain flowers which have been chosen by the various nations as their national emblems, is. a fascinating study (writes Marjorie Mohler in the ’ Gardener’s Chronicle), particularly when we delve into the traditions which underlie each individual selection. Every since the earliest times flowers have been the source of symbols and legends, figuring conspicuously infill sort of superstitious beliefs, religious, military, and festive ceremonials. Even in Biblical literature there are many allusions to floral symbols. China once possessed a complete alphabet based entirely on floral terms, and on the monuments of Egypt and Assyria there are still found remnants of a code of floral caligraphy whose meanings are indecipherable. In Egypt the sacred lily, or lotus, has for many centuries played a vital part in all their religious beliefs. It is consecrated to ‘their gods and Osiris, their most important deity, is portrayed with a wreath of, these huge, gorgeous blossoms about his head. It also figures strongly in all sorts of decorations and is frequently painted on walls and carved on the doors of temples. Therefore, it was long ago recognised as Egypt’s national emblem.

Just why the lotus holds such superstitious meaning in the minds of the yellow-skinned races, as it has done for many thousands of years, is difficult to analyse. In India, similar to Egypt, it is interwoven closely with the nation’s religion, being worshipped as a sacred emblem of mystery. It is also believed that Brahma was born in its heart, and it is pictured as the chariot for their eupid, who is pinioned in its centre covered wth flowers, floating down the sacred Ganges. Strangers are welcomed with garlands, depicting ■ hospitality, and shrines of favourite deities are decorated lavishly with this emblem and, of course, used prominently in their architectural adornments.

To the Chinese, as well, the lotus ranks foremost in traditional meaning. They hold it above all others in superstitious favouritism and use it* freely for all surts of ceremonies and decorations.

Unlike any other nation, Japan has had two royal crests, dating from the earliest days—the Paulownea tree, which is the exclusive seal of the Emperor and his family, and the chrysanthemum, which is used for all governmental symbols, and, therefore, is the accepted national emblem. It is embroidered, stamped, and printed on every available thing, and many exquisite creations are brought out through the artistic genius of these versatile people. A day in November is set aside every year for a festival of this “ Golden Flower,” as it is popularly called, and thus has arisen the term “The Land of the' Chrysanthemum.” Here, again, the lotus is not without its prominence. It is believed to be tbe symbol of purity and their deity is pictured reclining on one of its huge leaves. Eveu the children are frequently named after it. In searching through the languages and literature of the Turks, Hindoos, Persians, Malayas, and Arabians, we And they abound in floral symbols. Every year Persia holds a magnificent festival called “The Feast of the Roses,” which continues as long as there is a single rose left in bloom.

In Europe, Greece was the source of all floral customs, many of which still linger to-day. All public and private affairs are marked noticeably with garlands and wreaths of every description. Wooers decorated doors of admired ones; illness was indicated by the lintels of doors being hung with buckthorn and laurel; and death by parsley sprinkled over the remains, r For the Olympian winner there was a garland of wild olive; the 'Pythian, red laurel; the Nemoean, a crown-of parsley; the Elean, the crown of pine needles. And in times of great rejoicing flowers were decked everywhere. The conventional epithet of Athens'was “The City of the Violet Crown ”; hence, the modest violet became the Grecian national emblem.

In the Iberian Peninsula floral symbolism is indebted principally to the Roman Catholic legends. When at last Moorish power had been conquered in Spain, and Ferdinand and Isabella had entered Granada, the pomegranate, being Granada’s device, was thus emblazoned on the shields of Spain and adopted as her insignia.. ,The use of the Fleur-de-lis in France dates back to Louis VII. As he was about to start out for the Holy Land, he chose this flower to adorn his shield. From 1376 the French flag was embroidered with a dustier of these delicate flowers, but Henry IV, during his reign from 1553-1610, changed it to a single Fleur-de-lis on a blue ground. This was the emblazonry used on all the old French flags, and is still seen carved on royal palaces, public buildings, woven into tapestries, and stamped on antique wares. When Napoleon I became Emperor of France, he changed this emblem to that of the bee, but the lily was again restored, ‘ At one time the Bonapartes adopted the violet as their badge, after the banishment of their leader to Elba, a name meaning “ to return in spring.” It is a rare instance in history when we find flowers that have been used as partisan badges, but this plan was popular in France during the twelfth century, when the Imperialists and the Pope underwent their long, bitter struggle. The - white lily was chosen as the party badge of the Ghibellines, whilst the red lily was worn by the Guelphs. An interesting sentiment surrounds the adoption of the cornflower by the Germans as their favourite flower. It is told that “ when Louise, the mother of "-Emperor William I, was forced to take refuge with her small family in the outskirts of Berlin, while Napoleon’s army was occupying the city, the children cried from hunger and' exposure. To pacify them the Queen Mother gathered cornflowers growing by the wayside and wove them into garlands. From that time it became the favourite flower of William and his people.” Scotland believes that, if it had not been for the sharp thorns on the once despised thistle, which grows so profusely over her rugged green hills, the country would have been lost to the Danes. During the reign of Malcolm II in 1010, there was practically only a handful of swarthy Scots. Hearing of an approaching invasipn by the Danes, they fortified an important fortress on the far eastern coast of Scotland. The Danes, arriving in the night by way of the rocky coast, landed, removed their shoes, and stealthily neared the castle. Upon reaching the moat they plunged in, thinking to swim across the narrow stream, but the canny Scots had prepared for just such an emergency and filled it full of thistles. The Danes’ furious cries aroused the Scots who easily drove them back and saved their little colony. ■ To-day the thistle holds the national honours, combined with the appropriate motto, “ Nemo me impune laeessit.”

England’s choice of the rose has also arisen from an historic significance, combined with a pretty piece of sentiment. It was first worn -by Edward I and his brother, Edmund Crouchback of Lancaster. When John Gaunt was married to Blanche, heiress of Lancaster, he wore a red rose and, his young brother, Edmund Langley, Duke of York, adopted the white, this custom being handed down to his descendant?. When Henry VI of Lancaster and Edward IV of York fought over the possession of the English crown in the famous “ War of the Roses,” it was given a deeper meaning, one party wearing the white and the other the red. And it was not until Elizabeth of York, eldest daughter of Edward IV, was married to Henry VII that these two rival houses were again united. The two roses were joined under the title of “Tudor Rose,” and became the national flower.

The rose was regarded by the ancients as an emblem of silence and love. On festal occasions a rose was suspended over the table, indicating that the conversation was to be literally, as well as metaphorically, aub-rosa, or “ Under the Rose.” The meaning of the name is “ flower of flowers.”

To the Welsh as well, is accorded a military reason for their choice. On St. David’s Day, March 1, 640 A.D., under the leadership of Caedwalla, they were about to march against the English. They had nothing to distinguish themselves from the enemy when in battle, so stooping they plucked the leek from the field and stuck it in their

caps. The Welsh were victorious in this battle; thus, in grateful memory, they adopted it as their badge of honour. Turing to Ireland we again see a religious reason attached to the national selection of the shamrock. When the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, was preaching to his people one day, he was endeavouring to make them grasp the significance of the Trinity. .He plucked a shamrock growing at his feet, saying: “Do you not see in this wild flower how three leaves are united on one stalk, and you will not then believe what 1 tell you that there are, indeed, three persons and yet one God? ” The illustration was so simple that the people understood it immediately, and the shamrock has .been a symbol worthy of the highest esteem it could possibly be accorded ever since.

A fantastic legend, handed down from the early superstitions of the ancient Aztecs, has given to Mexico the design of the Nopal cactus, or prickly pear, which they engrave upon their coats of arms. After wandering many years in search of a suitable place to build a city, the Aztecs consulted a certain wise man who bade them go until they found an eagle perched on a cactus stem and there they should chose their site. For many days they wandered until at length they drew near Lake Tezcuco, and there they spied an eagle perched on a branch of the Nopal cactus, growing out of an enormous stone. They constructed their city, giving it a name which ineans “Nopal on a stone.” There has been much discussion in past years over the choice of a national flower for the United States as a whole, but since there does not seeme to he definite sentiment attached to a particular variety, it is difficult to say whether such a selection will ever be made. In 1889 an effort was made to secure the general expression of opinion and the goldenrod received slight precedence on account of its indigenous habits. Again, during the World War, another attempt was made, and this time the columbine ran a close second, A number of the States have adopted States flowers by acts of the Legislature; lowa, wild rose; Maine, pine cone and tassel; Michigan, apple blossom; Monana, bitter-root; Nebraska, goldenrod; Oregon, Oregon grape; Vermont, red clover; Colorado, columbine; Oklahoma, mistletoe; Utah, Sego lily. In other States flowers have been selected by a vote of the school children; California, poppy; Idaho, syringa; • Kansas, sunflower; Minnesota, mocassin flower; Nevada, sagebrush; Washington, rhododendron; Georgie, Cherokee rose; New York, goldenrod.