The amaryllis flower meaning comes from its vibrant and captivating bloom. From its Andean folklore as a symbol of abundance to its Greek meaning of rebirth.
In this blog we will explore the diverse meaning of the amaryllis, explore its spiritual significance and learn about its history and uses.
What is the meaning of the amaryllis flower
The amaryllis flower symbolises pride, radiant beauty, shyness, writing, horseman’s star. It’s possible powers are enthusiasm, passion and adventurousness.
What do the colours of amaryllis mean?
Each colour of the amaryllis flower has a distinct meaning. Moreover, combined with colour theory to add depth to each flower.
Red Amaryllis flower meaning
Red amaryllis flower symbolises passion, declaration of love and desire. It is often used for a romantic gesture and expression of deep emotions.
White Amaryllis flower meaning
White amaryllis flower is a symbol of sincerity and purity of heart. It is often used in weddings to add a touch of grace and elegance. Moreover, it is a popular choice for events that celebrate a new beginning and love.
Pink amaryllis flower meaning
Pink amaryllis conveys a sense appreciation and gratitude. Furthermore, the pink amaryllis is a token of affectionate feelings and fondness towards someone. The flower is a gentle way to express gratitude and admiration towards someone. An ideal gift for friends and families.
Purple amaryllis flower meaning
Purple amaryllis conveys a sense of nobility, luxury and royalty. Additionally, it symbolises of sense of grandeur and opulence. It’s a popular choice for ornaments and decorations. It provides a majestic feeling for events and celebrations.
Amaryllis symbolism spiritual
Based on its current meaning, the amaryllis flower has inherited spiritual significance. Lets explore some:
- Resurrection and Rebirth: this spiritual meaning comes from the flowers growth from a bulb buried in earth to a magnificent flower. Therefore, seeing an amaryllis flower could symbolise ending of a cycle in your life.
- Resilience: is another symbolism from its growth as bulb. It’s a symbol of the spirit’s resilience in face of challenges and obstacles. If you see an amaryllis take it as a sign for empowerment and spiritual growth.
- Divine feminine: in esoteric traditions the flower is linked to the divine feminine and feminine power. Its a reminder to embrace your nurturing, creative and intuitive side.
Amaryllis flower meaning dream meaning
Dreaming of the amaryllis flower pertains to the themes of love, passion and emotional intensity.
It can signify a deep emotional connection to someone in the waking life. Moreover, the colours of the amaryllis signifies the passion and desire of the dreamer’s feelings.
To dream of the amaryllis flower can also symbolise transformation and personal growth. This meaning comes from its spiritual interpretation of rebirth.
Therefore, it could indicate that the person dreaming is going through a significant transformative phase in their life.
Finally, if you dream of the amaryllis flower, its a message that you possess the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacles in your life.
Amaryllis flower tattoo meaning
Just like its spiritual and dream interpretation, the amaryllis flower has a plethora of tattoo meaning.
- One of the amaryllis flower tattoo meaning is femininity. It would make a perfect tattoo for expressing and appreciating beauty and life’s aesthetic.
- The amaryllis flower tattoo meaning is also a symbol for deep and fiery emotions. It would be a great inclusion for tattoos related to romance.
- Another amaryllis flower tattoo meaning is resilience. If you’d like to ink a period where you have shown strength then this would be a great symbol.
Amaryllis flower mythology
The amaryllis flower is native to the Andes region. Additionally, after European explorers discovered the flower they found a home in Europe. They would also travel across Asia through trade.
Lets get into some of the folklore and mythologies associated with this flower.
Andean Folklore
In Andean oral storytelling the amaryllis flower was called “Kantu” in Quechua. It was associated with themes of love, beauty and nature’s abundance.
The amaryllis flower was a gift from Apus (mountain spirits) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). It symbolised their blessings. Therefore, the amaryllis was used to honour those deities and as an offering for a bountiful harvest.
The flower also played a role in love stories of Andean folklore. They was used as a symbol of undying love, endurance, and devotion. While its vibrant colours were seen as a reflection of beauty found in Andean landscapes.
This was a reflection of the profound connection between nature and the spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people of the Andean region.
Amaryllis and Alteo: Story of the amaryllis flower in Greek mythology and Roman
In both Greek and Roman mythology, the amaryllis flower revolves around the story of Amaryllis and Alteo.
Amaryllis was a beautiful nymph who was enamoured with the Alteo a handsome shepherd. She would spend her days watching him from afar in hope that one day he would reciprocate her feelings.
Time passed and her love for Alteo grew in equal strength. However, he remained oblivious to her feelings. Amaryllis seek for the help of the goddess Aphrodite.
Aphrodite was touched by her sincerity and devotion and decided to help her. The goddess suggested Amaryllis wait at the door of Alteo every night, dressed in a white robe and to pierce her heart with a golden arrow.
The dedicated nymph followed the instructions night after night would losing hope. Despite her dedication Alteo remained indifferent to her. Amaryllis finally gave up. However, this didn’t go unnoticed by the gods who decided to immortalise her love.
They used the drops of her blood and from that bloomed a beautiful crimson flower. This flower would be known as Amaryllis. It became of symbol of resilience and unrequited love.
South African Folklore
In South African folklore, there was once a young girl named Amaryllis. Her life was cut short in a tragic way at a tender age.
Amaryllis was a beloved member of her community and she was known for her kindness and generosity. However, one day she met with a cruel twist of fate and she died from a blow.
This left her family and friends heartbroken. It left her community in grief and they began to find solace in understanding the rhythms of nature.
When the next spring came there was a sense of renewal in the village. At the heart of the village a magnificent flower bloomed where Amaryllis laid to rest.
The villagers believed the flower resembled the departed girl. This led them to believe that Amaryllis’ spirit had found a new existence in this flower.
Japanese Mythology
In Japanese mythology, the amaryllis is linked to beauty and feminine energies.
Amaterasu was the sun goddess and she was renowned for her beauty. To enhance her appeal, the goddess would adorn herself with amaryllis blossom.
Therefore, the amaryllis flower became a representation of the Amaterasu’s celestial beauty. Her daily journey across the sky represented the cycle of the sun rising and setting.
This represented the cycle and renewal of light and life. This reinforced the notion of beauty and its enduring presence.
During various rituals and festivals in the honour of Amaterasu, people would adorn temples and altars with blossoms. It symbolised appreciation for the beauty she bestowed upon the world.
History of cultivation and propagation of the amaryllis flower
The amaryllis flower comes from Peru and Chile. Its species is Hippeastrum.
European explorers and botanist discovered and documented the flower between 17th and 18th centuries.
It was José Celestino Mutis a Spanish botanist and physician that first saw the flower. He observed and documented their characteristics and taxonomy.
The Dutch East India Company helped to introduce the amaryllis in Europe. The amaryllis bulbs were botanical treasures and gained quick traction from botanists and horticulturists.
The flower would then travel to Africa and Asia through global trade routes. Merchants and explorers travelling through Africa and Asia would bring the amaryllis bulbs with them.
The amaryllis flower language meaning
During Victorian era, the amaryllis flower was associated with the themes of pride and determination.
Its meaning with pride comes from its tall, elegant stem and large blooms that command attention. Moreover, the appearance of the flower represent confidence and self-assurance, those were traits that the Victorians admired.
The determination aspect came from the flower’s ability to bloom from bulbs. It is representative of patience and perseverance. This aligned with the Victorian society emphasis on perseverance and dedication to one’s goals.
Uses of the amaryllis flower
The amaryllis flowers have various uses such as aesthetic and practical.
- Its primary uses is for ornaments and decorations. The vibrant blooms is popular in gardens, landscapes, and floral arrangements.
- Furthermore, the amaryllis blooms are long-lasting, practical and cost-effective.
- The amaryllis bulb is also used in forcing techniques. That is the bulb can be manipulated to bloom at specific times.
- Some species of the amaryllis are believed to have medicinal properties and they have been used as herbal remedies in the past.
Amaryllis flower for Christmas
The ability of the amaryllis flower to bloom during winter season is symbolic of hope and new beginnings. This echoes perfectly the themes of Christmas.
The plant is used during Christmas as gifts. Moreover, they are used as decorations and arrangements during the festive season. This adds both a touch of elegance and festivity to homes.
Key takeaways
- The amaryllis flower symbolises passion, radiant beauty, and deep emotions. It is a popular choice for romantic gestures and declarations of love.
- Each color of the amaryllis holds a distinct meaning: red symbolises desire, white represents purity and pink conveys appreciation and gratitude.
- In spiritual beliefs, the amaryllis holds symbolism of: resurrection, resilience, and divine feminine. It is a reflection on the themes of hope and transformation.
- Dreaming of the amaryllis signifies: love, passion, and personal growth. It offers a message of emotional connection and overcoming challenges.
- As a tattoo, the amaryllis can represent femininity, fiery emotions, and resilience. It is an ideal choice for expressing inner strength and beauty.
- The amaryllis has a deep history, originating in South America and traveling to Europe, Africa, and Asia through exploration and trade.
- Its association with Christmas embodies hope and new beginnings. It a popular gift and decoration during the festive season.
- The amaryllis is a good luck plant. It attracts positive energy and symbolises determination and success.
- The language of flowers during the Victorian era associated the amaryllis with pride and determination. It is a reflection of admiration for confident and persistent traits.
- The amaryllis has versatile uses, from ornamental purposes and decorations to traditional medicine in certain cultures. Its ability to bloom during winter makes it a beloved plant during the festive season.
If you enjoyed this blog on the amaryllis flower symbolism then make sure to not miss other blogs on flower meanings.
FAQs on the amaryllis flower
References
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Deena Bsingh, a UK-born, Mauritius-raised content writer, is a dedicated explorer of the ancient world’s hidden treasures. Armed with classical studies knowledge and a decade of spiritual immersion, Deena delves deep into the wellspring of ancient wisdom. Her illuminating writings on flower meanings and culinary history are imbued with the profound insights she has gathered on her journey. Through her Medium articles, she guides readers on transformative journeys that bridge the gap between ancient cultures and contemporary consciousness, offering a rich tapestry of understanding that endures through time.
