Issue May 2007 - page 3 (history)

click here for more info on this jewel

Jewelry and flower symbolism.

In the 16th century inns used to have a branch or flower stalk as signboard which later developed into the name of a specific tree or flower. One often finds flower gardens in mythological sceneries. The allegoric use of flowers is uncountable: attributes for the springtime, the youth, the sunrise, the rhetoric, the virtue etc. Lots of countries carry a flower as national symbol: Hungary had the tulip and Scotland the thistle, England the rose, Japan the chrysanthemum, France the 'fleur de lys' etc.

There are today countless examples of the association of colors and flowers, such as red for roses, white for lily of the valley and blue for forget-me-not or violets.

Most flowers bear a deep symbolic value too. And that's what can make the difference for the one you love too.

- Iris: Iris, for example, was the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow, the messenger of Zeus and Hera, and was depicted as "A radiant maiden borne in swift flight on golden wings". Among her duties was that of leading the souls of dead women to the Elysian fields, and as a token of that faith the Greeks planted purple iris on the graves of women" according to Hollingsworth in his Flower Chronicles.

- Lilies of the valley: the English poet John Keats said that carrying lilies of the valley on the first of May brings luck and love for the rest of the year. It is said that if you give them to your loved one in May, she will fall in love with you.

- Roses: In beauty, shape and scent, the rose is outstanding and hence has become the most commonly used floral symbol in the West. Roses have symbolical meanings in classic and Christian art. For example Venus was associated with roses, symbolizing love and beauty, whereas Virgin Mary sometimes was called a "rose without thorns" because of her purity.

- Ivy: The vitality of the plant represents eternal joy of living. The romantic facet of ivy is based upon its tendrils which attach the plant affectionately to the wall. In French they say 'Je m'attache ou je meurs' (I hold on or I die) ! At weddings in Greece they used to give an ivy garland to the young couple as a sign of 'everlasting love and fidelity'.

- Lotus flower : This might be called the first of all flowers, generally blossoming on stagnant waters with a perfection so sensual and imperious, that it is not difficult to imagine the lotus as the very first sign of life upon the vastness of the primeval waters. Its symbolism is infinite. In the land of the Pharaohs, where it was regarded as the holiest of flowers, 'the blue lotus' suggested the perfume of divine life. On the walls of the tombs at Thebes, the living and dead of a family are shown smelling the blue flower in an attitude of delight and inspired by the magic of rebirth.

- Vine : Vine leaves often represents the idea of fertility in the European culture.

- Orchids: orchids have been for some collectors, as precious as women. And it is not by chance as those fragile and all colored flowers resemble the woman's genitals, a feature which made them the sex and love symbol par excellence.

Click here for more information on flower symbolism.

Click here to see to all our jewelry with floral motives.

Our big spring-clearance sale is still running!
Over 350 articles discounted!
Click here to get there.

To the next chapter in this month's issue: "Focus on".