Last Updated on February 5, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
There is a big part that flowers have in our life. Flowers help make any space look beautiful. They give positive energy and good vibes too. Moreover, they offer a way for us to express our feelings without words.
One such flower is the anemone. Are you curious about what the anemone flower’s meaning is? We probably have different ideas on the meaning and symbol of this particular flower. But it is also likely that these ideas are correct.
After all, there are all kinds of anemone. Each type and color can mean different things. In this article, you can learn all about the anemone flower’s meaning and more. From facts and etymology to the symbolism in other cultures, you’ll know them all!
Anemone Flower Fun Facts
Before delving into the anemone flower’s meaning, let’s talk about some fun facts about it. Here are a few things that might interest you:
- Anemone belongs in the buttercup or Ranunculaceae family.
- It’s a genus that includes 120 species of flowering plants.
- This flower is native to temperate zones.
- Many of them you can find in Japan, European countries, and North America.
- Anemone can grow up to 4 feet or 1.2 meters tall.
- Anemones are perennials.
- The flower has basal leaves and long leaf-stems, which are either prostate or upright.
- Anemone leaves are simple or compound with parted, lobed, or undivided leaf blades.
- The leaves of anemone have margins that are either entire or toothed.
- Anemone comes in all shapes and sizes, from the petals to the colors.
- There are three main types of anemone flowers – spring flowering, tuberous Mediterranean, and larger fall flowering type.
- The Spring flowering type has either tubers or rhizomes.
- The Tuberous Mediterranean blooms in spring and summer.
- The Larger Fall flowering type, which often has fibrous roots, flowers in later summer to fall.
These are only a few of the many details about the anemone flower. If you would like to try taking care of an anemone, it would be good to know these facts. It will help you grow a beautiful flower in various vibrant colors.
Anemone Flower Meaning
There are many things that the anemone flower means. Some of them are even contrasting. For instance, it is said that the anemone is protection against ill wishes and evil. On the other hand, it is also said to mean bad luck or ill omens.
Perhaps, another related anemone flower meaning is it is protection against illnesses and diseases. The anemone flower is a delicate beauty, but it has quite a diverse symbolism. Many of the connotations of the flower are different based on the culture.
Besides referring to evil or ill wishes or protection against them, the anemone is also a sign of lost or forgotten love. This flower may signify the loss of feelings for a person who isn’t there anymore. At the same time, it means the death of a loved one, thus why it was used in funerals.
Anemone is not only associated with sad circumstances. If you look at the flower, you will see it has such vibrant and lively colors. It’s these colors that give you a feeling of excitement, which is another of the meanings of anemone.
Etymological Meaning of Anemone Flower
In the fun facts, you learned there are 120 different species of anemone. One thing not mentioned there is the anemone flowers are sometimes called windflowers. This name comes from the etymology of the flower’s name.
Anemone is a Greek word meaning “the wind’s daughter.” This Greek word combines the word anemos, another Greek word that means ‘wind’ as well as the suffix –one, indicating daughter or female offspring.
The origin of the flower is tied to the myths of the Greek gods of the four winds. However, the anemone flower is also related to a story involving Aphrodite and Adonis. Adonis had been a companion of the Goddess of Love for a long time.
Because of that, the other gods killed him by sending a wild boar during a hunt. Aphrodite came to his rescue, but she was too late. He was already dead. While weeping, her tears mixed with his blood that said to have turned into the anemone flowers.
Another version of the story was that Aphrodite sprinkled sweet nectar on Adonis’ blood, which turned to red, tiny flowers. These flowers represent the Goddess’ eternal grief as well as the beautiful, graceful, but short-lived life of Adonis.
The anemone is also sometimes called pasqueflower. This name came from an Old French word pasque that means Easter that actually refers to a separate genus. Besides the Greek stories, anemone’s origin came from how the flower blooms where the wind blows openly.
Meaning and Symbolism of the Anemone Flower in Different Cultures
Different cultures also have different connotations of the flower. It is from the Greeks that it gained the symbolism of the death of a loved one, due to the story of Aphrodite and Adonis. The flower also means the start of spring and the circle of life based on Greek mythology.
For the ancient Egyptians, this flower means illness because of its colors. For the Etruscans, it is the symbol of mourning. The same as in Greek mythology, Christianity deems the flower as a symbol of death, forsaken love, as well as the blood Christ shed when He was crucified.
The meaning that anemone flower equals ill tidings come from some cultures in the East. It’s said to be because some species of the flower are toxic. On the other hand, it came to be a protection from disease, bad luck, and pests in medieval Europe.
Anemone also means fragility in the Victorian language of flowers. Besides its cultural meanings, the color of the flower has different symbolism. From white to the pink anemone, their various meanings help express your feelings.
Anemone Color Meanings
White anemone flower meaning
White anemone signifies cleanliness, innocence, and purity, which is often brought in funerals.
Red anemone flower meaning
Red anemone used to mean bloodshed, but now, it symbolizes love and romance. A bouquet of red anemone can be a beautiful gift to your partner.
Blue anemone flower meaning
Blue anemone means authority, trust, and intelligence. A bouquet of blue anemones is an excellent gift to someone you dearly missed and wanted to see.
Read also: 50+ Types of blue flowers
Purple anemone flower meaning
Purple anemone symbolizes luxury, beauty, and royalty due to the flower being unique.
Yellow anemone flower meaning
Yellow anemone is all about positivism and happiness, making it perfect for keeping in your garden at home.
Pink anemone flower meaning
Pink anemones relate to gentleness and femininity. It also means love, respect, and appreciation.
When you know the different meanings of the different colors of anemone, isn’t it easier to pick the one that perfectly describes your feelings? Anemones can make great gifts. The flower itself already has excellent symbolism, but you can make that better depending on the color you pick.
The Symbolism of the Anemone Flower
There are many things that the anemone flower symbolizes. With the dual meanings from the Greek myths, it can signify the death of a loved one or the beginning of spring. On the other hand, the Victorians took the flower as a symbol of forsaken love.
It is also the symbol of illness from its colors. Because this flower naturally closes up at night and opens in the morning, it represents anticipation as well. It is the perfect flower to signify the feelings when eagerly waiting for something to arrive soon.
In many cultures, the anemone is also a symbol of bad luck. On the other hand, others see it as a protective charm and good luck. They also represent the arrival of sunny days since they bloom in spring.
With that, the flower is also associated with joy, happiness, and new possibilities. There are so many things – both good and bad- that relate to the anemone. As such, you can use it to express a spectrum of emotions and feelings.
You can bring it to a memorial or a funeral to offer your condolences. You can give it to a new parent or someone who is getting married. It can be a gift to wish someone good luck or to get well soon. The anemone flower’s meaning is simply endless.
The Message of the Anemone Flower
When you give someone an anemone flower, the message isn’t always clear. It could be you are saying, “don’t forsake your loved ones and always look to the future.” It could also be you want to tell them to be positive, that an opportunity is always around the corner.
Of course, the message you want to convey differs based on the color of the flower. Whether it is to celebrate your love or to show respect, anemone offers you a way to say your message without words. Simply pick the right color of the flower.
Conclusion
The anemone flower’s meaning is incredible and can be used in many different situations. Knowing its symbolism offers a distinct way of communicating. Whether you want to give it as a gift or as protection, its meanings offer a great way to enjoy this beautiful, aromatic flower.