All about chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum name means flower of gold and was inspired by the important Swedish botanist Linnaeus. The chrysanthemum takes its name from the Greek prefix "chrys", meaning gold (its original yellow-gold color) and "anthemion" meaning flower. It was given to it by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus, who is known as the father of binomial nomenclature.

Its origin is from the Far East and China where it was first cultivated in the 15th century and was then loved like no other flower in Japan.

The story of the chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China. It is said that Buddhist monks went to Japan in 400 AD. Japanese Emperors were so impressed by the flower that they often sat on thrones filled with chrysanthemums!

Along the way, the chrysanthemum became the Emblem of the Imperial Family of Japan and the official seal of the state. The Japanese worship them and they represent long life and the prosperity of future generations. According to Feng Shui, when chrysanthemums are placed indoors they bring light, joy and warmth.

In Japan it is considered a "symbol of the sun", while it is believed that the way in which their petals open indicates perfection.

They hold a big festival called the "Happiness Festival" every year and celebrate the flower as a symbol of optimism and joy, and many Japanese cities have spectacular chrysanthemum displays.

Chrysanthemums arrived in Europe in the 17th century probably by Dutch explorers and then traveled to North America with the first settlers.

Symbolism of Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is the birth flower of November. It is also the 13th wedding anniversary flower. It is also popular as the official flower of many cities, one of which is Chicago. This beautiful flower is considered a symbol of joy. And this makes it a great choice for happy occasions like weddings and birthdays. The irony is that when you use it for weddings, in some European countries like Belgium and Austria, they mean death and are used at funerals.

Japanese myth of the chrysanthemum

A Japanese legend describes the attempt of a beautiful girl to save the life of her boyfriend from a huge dragon that had imprisoned him. So it says:

Once upon a time there lived in faraway Japan a beautiful girl who was engaged to a nobleman. Near their city, in the neighboring mountains, there lived in a cave a dragon that spoke like a man but did not mind anyone unless someone disturbed him. One day, the girl lost her boyfriend and started looking for him everywhere.

After several days someone told her that her boyfriend had been imprisoned by the great dragon. He even advised her not to go looking for him because it would endanger her life. But the daughter loved her fiancé so much that she did not hesitate for a moment and decided to go to the mountains and meet him.

When she reached the mountains and approached the big rocks she saw the terrible dragon coming out of his cave.

-What are you asking for here? The dragon asked her. Aren't you afraid of me?

- I am not afraid of you because I have been told that you are good and fair, the girl answered him with courage. But why did you capture my fiancé for no fault of your own?

-I am good with the good and bad with the bad, the dragon answered her. Your betrothed spoke ill of me and that is why I captured him and will keep him for the rest of his life near me to serve me as a slave.

The girl then begged him to take pity on them and let the boy go. After some thought the dragon suggested that if she brought him a chrysanthemum with a hundred petals he would free him and let him return to her. The girl began to search everywhere despite everyone's advice that she would never find what the dragon asked for.

But in her despair she thought of something clever. She plucked a chrysanthemum from her garden and with great patience began to carve its broad petals with a pin of her hair. So with great patience she managed to carve the petals into a hundred thin pieces.

And when she had accomplished this, she set out for the dragon's cave.

- I brought you the chrysanthemum with a hundred petals, she told him.

The dragon curiously picked up the chrysanthemum, counted its petals and indeed found a hundred. Then, he set the lad free, as he had promised. The beloved couple returned happily to the city and since then they say that the chrysanthemums did not come back with thirty petals but took the form that the beautiful and faithful girl managed to make.

German myth of chrysanthemum

According to legend, on Christmas Eve in Germany's Black Forest, a farming family was sitting around the table eating a meager meal when they heard a sound that sounded like a wail. When they opened the door they found a beggar passed out and frozen by the bitter cold of the night.

They wrapped him in blankets and shared their food. Immediately, the blankets fell away to reveal a brilliant man in a white cloak who thanked them profusely for the good they had done him. The next morning, outside the door of their house, there were two white chrysanthemums which symbolized warmth and rich feelings.

Today, many Germans bring white chrysanthemums into their homes on Christmas Eve, believing that doing so will bring prosperity and good luck.

Chrysanthemum in China

In China the history of the chrysanthemum is intertwined with Chinese culture and we find it both in ancient scriptures and in arts such as pottery where there are examples of the flower as we know it today.

Its ancient Chinese name is "Chu." The Chinese city of chu-Hsien, meaning "city of chrysanthemums", was named in its honor. In addition, there is a theory which claims that if someone wants to be happy during his life then it is enough to plant many chrysanthemums in his garden.

Finally, in rural China they use the plant as a purifier of the atmosphere, while giving it the symbolism of autumn and rest.

Chrysanthemums symbolize happiness, longevity, optimism and faith.

Many and beautiful varieties!

It has been decorating gardens and balconies for many years, and it is certainly the dominant plant of autumn and winter. With the right conditions, it can keep its flowers until Christmas.

Chrysanthemum in vase

Chrysanthemum plants decorate our yard or balcony, but they also beautifully decorate vases at home, where they give a special touch of color to the living room, dining room, kitchen or office.

They give a distinct tone to the autumn decoration of our spaces and there are many ideas, since both the colors and the shape of their flowers are various and beautiful. Find at anthemionflowers gorgeous arrangements and bouquets with different varieties of chrysanthemums and add an autumn touch to your home. They wonderfully decorate gardens, balconies and the house either in pots or in our vases.