Peonies are exquisitely voluptuous blossoms that are finally back in season! With their delicately layered petals, the peonies are outrageously stunning when they’re in bloom and have a significant meaning and history all over the world. Native to Europe, Asia, and Western North America there are over 30 species and a wide variety of colours of the flowering plant.
Here’s everything you didn’t know about Blair Waldorf’s favourite flower.
History of the peony
Dating back to 1000BC, Peonies have been grown and cultivated. Since early in Chinese history, they once were the national flower and became particularly popular during the Tang dynasty where they were grown in the imperial gardens as well as used medicinally. In Chinese culture for more than a millennium, they have been known as the “most beautiful” flower that represents prosperity, elegance and is nicknamed the “monarch of the flowers”.
Later on, they made their way to Japan and from the fifteenth century on, peonies were grown in Europe. Originally during these medieval times, they were used for medicinal purposes intended to alleviate or treat headaches, asthma, epilepsy, snake bites, and even childbirth pain.
What do peonies mean?
Apart from their significance historically, peonies also had a huge impact mythologically, which is why there are quite a few theories as to how peonies got their name when people ask what do peonies mean.
There are two common myths about the peony flower. According to Greek Mythology, Paeon the physician of the gods, extracted a milky liquid from the peony root and cured Pluto. The god of medicine and healing, Asclepius threatened to kill Paeon out of jealousy and some say Zeus whilst others say Pluto, showed him compassion and saved him by turning him into the beautiful peony. From this, one peony flower meaning is compassion.
Another story in Greek myth comes from the nymph Paeonia who had a peony tied to her and attracted the attention of Apollo who is caught flirting with her behind Aphrodite’s back. When the nymph realised that Aphrodite was watching them, she became bashful thus, symbolising bashfulness nowadays.
Peonies symbolism and meanings
The ultimate symbol of feminine and majestic beauty, the peony truly never goes out of style and means different things all around the world.
Common peony flower meaning ranges from prosperity, nobility, good fortune, wealth and honour from its historical significance in China to compassion and bashfulness from Greek mythology. The white peonies supposedly embody bashfulness or forgiveness whilst red peonies symbolism focuses on love, passion, honour and respect.
Abundant in spring, they traditionally represent a happy marriage and is given for twelfth wedding anniversaries for honour, good fortune, and a happy relationship. This is why these beautifully divine flowers are one of the most popular blooms for weddings. Pink peonies are the most popular for wedding bouquets symbolising good luck and prosperity.
Available in a gorgeous palette ranging from white, coral, port, pink, and mauve, with their ruffled petals and unrivalled beauty, these large showy blooms are perfect for wedding bouquets and arrangements. Peonies are in season from late October until mid-December and Poco Posy, the online florist Brisbane locals love have just the arrangements you desire of this coveted flower.
Therefore, the peony flower meaning ranges from colour, where you’re from and what you believe or want to believe. What do peonies mean to you?
These ultra-fragrant perennials have continued to have an eternal aesthetic appeal with their soft, delicate, and feminine beauty. Poco Posy can help create the perfect arrangement for you today and has these gorgeous blooms as part of their daily flower delivery Brisbane locals depend on.
