These thirteen flowers symbolize hope: iris, cornflower, forget-me-not, passiflora, Bethlehem’s star, common poppy, sunflower, chrysanthemum, lotus, yellow tulip, daffodil, almond blossom, and snowdrop.
The symbolism comes from many cultures, traditions, and religions around the world. It can also come from history and mythology. The meanings vary depending on the country and period of history.
Flowers that Symbolize Hope
1. Iris
The iris symbolizes hope, wisdom, faith, trust, and bravery.
It is also a symbol in Greek Mythology. Many people associate the flower with Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, and a messenger for the gods.
The goddess Iris was a companion to female souls on their journey to heaven. Greeks still lay purple irises on women’s graves hoping that Iris will lead them to their last resting place.
Egyptians used these flowers to adorn the scepters of the pharaohs to represent power and victory.
2. Cornflower
The Cornflower is a humble reminder of nature’s humble beauty and the completeness of life’s cycle, representing hopeful optimism for the future.
The Blue Cornflower is the official flower of the ALS foundation, which raises money for neurodegenerative diseases. It’s their chosen flower because it is a symbol of hope for people who suffer from ALS.
3. Forget-Me-Nots
Myosotis, commonly known as “forget-me-not”, symbolizes hope for everlasting love, remembrance, true and enduring love, trust, and faithfulness.
The genus name “Myosotis” comes from Greek, and means “mouse’s ear” because the leaves resemble a mouse’s ear.
According to folklore, a German knight and his lady were wandering along a river in medieval times. He grabbed a bouquet for her. But due to his heavy armor, he lost his balance and fell into the river. He threw her the posy of flowers and cried, “Forget me not,” as he drowned.
According to another legend, God was naming all the flowers. Then, a little, unnamed flower cried “Forget-me-not, O Lord!”. “That shall be your name!” God said.
4. Passiflora
Passiflora is a flower that symbolizes the Passion of Jesus Christ and the hope for eternal life.
Roman Catholic priests named it after Jesus Christ’s Passion in the 15th and 16th centuries. The goal was to assist people to understand Jesus Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion. They found many similarities between the plant and the hope-filled story of Jesus.
5. Bethlehem Star
Because of its biblical symbolism, this flower represents hope, purity, and happiness.
The name of the Star of Bethlehem flower comes from its distinctive star shape and pure white petals. For that reason, one of the most popular interpretations links the plant with Jesus’ birth.
In this sense, this flower represents hope for salvation.
The Star of Bethlehem, according to mythology, led the three wise men to the newborn Jesus. God believed the star was too lovely to banish once it fulfilled its job. So, he smashed it into millions of pieces, which then plummeted to the earth and gave birth to the Star of Bethlehem flower we know and adore today.
6. Common Poppy
The common poppy is a sign of hope, resilience, perseverance, and optimism for a brighter future. It is also a sign of remembrance for the First World War.
The First World War drastically altered the land. Nothing could grow in the bleak land of the battlefields.
On the other hand, poppies continued to thrive in a land devastated by war. They were blooming even during a crisis.
See Also: Red Poppy Symbolism
7. Sunflower
The sunflower means hope, cheerfulness, and joy due to many reasons. The sunflower is s a symbol of hope, optimism, happiness, and regeneration in myth, culture, and history.
The sunflower moves to face the sun, so it receives more light rays. It’s a symbol of hope and optimism because it indicates seeing the bright side of anything.
The sunflower is the Greek emblem for Clytie (a water nymph). After grieving over the death of her love Apollo, she transforms into a sunflower. Clytie (in the guise of a sunflower) is continually facing the sun, hoping for Apollo’s chariot to return and reunite again with her love.
Also, in Chinese culture, they associate the sunflower with long life and good luck.
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8. Chrysanthemum
Because the chrysanthemum blossoms in the fall, it represents hope, joy, and beauty despite the upcoming winter.
In the United States, red chrysanthemums represent hope, love, rest, and good friendship.
Victorians used this flower to express friendliness and well-wishes.
In Chinese culture, people give this flower to elders since it represents long life and good fortune in the home.
9. Lotus
The lotus flower blooms pure and beautiful from muddy waters. It is a symbol of hope, purity, rebirth, and progress.
The lotus flower’s symbolism is powerful because it provides hope and strength to individuals struggling in their everyday lives. It illustrates that no matter where you start in life or what you’re going through, you can rise above, overcome all negativity, and discover joy as you emerge from your struggle.
10. Yellow Tulips
Yellow tulips are symbols of cheerfulness, joy, and hope. Victorians believed that gifting yellow tulips meant “there’s sunshine in your smile”.
Yellow tulips have become popular presents because of this, as they are likely to bring a smile to the receiver’s face.
If you want to bring a little luck into your home, some traditions say that planting yellow tulips in the front yard brings good luck and success.
11. Daffodil
The daffodil is a symbol of hope, new beginnings, and rebirth. The daffodil reminds us that nature will be reborn, and life will continue, even in the darkest, harshest winter.
The American Cancer Society organizes yearly Daffodil Days. In those days, they deliver flowers to cancer patients’ families to emphasize the daffodil as a symbol of hope. As a result, the daffodil has come to symbolize optimism and hope that we will find a cure for cancer.
12. Almond Flower
Almond flowers are an old Jewish emblem of regeneration, hope, and perseverance. The almond tree blooms in the middle of Israel’s rainy season. They’re the earliest blossoming trees.
The almond tree also has the biblical meaning of hope. In the Bible, God reveals the prophet an image of an almond tree branch as a symbol that God is diligent in keeping His word (Jeremiah 1:11-12).
13. Snowdrop (Glanthus)
Snowdrops have a long history as a symbol of hope, humility, optimism, innocence, purity, rebirth, and fertility.
The genus name originates from the Greek words “gala” (“milk”) and “anthos” (“flower”) in reference to its color. Snowdrops get their name from the white, teardrop-shaped blooms that bloom when there is snow on the ground.
According to a legend, an angel transformed the snowflakes into snowdrops and gave them to Adam and Eve, expelled from the garden of Eden. It was a symbol of hope and fortitude.
According to Russian folklore, the snowdrop was the only flower that did not fear the terrible old woman Winter and found its way through the thickness of snow.
Conclusion
Many cultures have flowers that symbolize hope. In Greek culture, the Iris flower is a symbol of hope. For Jewish people, almond blossoms also represent hope.
The symbolism often comes from the fact that these flowers thrive in difficult conditions, such as the common poppy, the lotus, or the snowdrop. These flowers show us that it’s possible to go on in times of adversity.
I’m Chris and I run this website – a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Thanks for dropping by.