Lavender symbolism connotes numerous meanings that are based on its history and application. Although it is common knowledge that lavender flowers possess beauty and an appealing, calming scent, little is known about the true significance of these flowers.
This article will explore all facets of the symbolism of this flower, from prehistoric times to the present.
Contents
What Are the Common Symbolism of Lavender?
Lavender flowers have almost nine symbols that specify its unique trait, such as healing, serenity, purity, luxury, virtue, royalty, health, serenity and devotion, and even it signifies love. Although it is one flower, but the symbolism is greater in its significance.
The purple hue of these flowers is also connected to the crown chakra, the energy center for a greater purpose and spiritual connection. The Lavender flower is frequently used in healing, and the simplest way to heal is to raise our vibration to the highest degree possible, so this symbolism is fitting.
– Healing
Lavender has long been recognized to have medicinal effects, as it has healing properties. This is why it is known for its key symbol in being having a healing significance.
This plant is considered to be a miraculous plant that has the power to heal a variety of illnesses, including bacterial and fungal infections, skin concerns, digestive problems, restless sleep, emotional anguish, and other health issues.
The gorgeous purple plant is also utilized in aromatherapy. The essential oils from lavender are used to treat depression and enhance the total well-being of a person.
– Serenity
One of the most remarkable things about lavender flowers is their ability to calm nerves. Because of this characteristic, it has become a popular symbol of tranquility, peace, and serenity.
Its aroma is frequently used in meditation and prayer rituals, believed to help in cleansing the mind of unimportant ideas so that a person can focus and engage in a more productive spiritual practice. In some meditative religions, the oils are used to bring peace around the person.
In essence, these flowers are utilized in aromatherapy, massage, and meditation as their scent is believed to have a relaxing effect and increase emotions of tranquility and calmness.
– Purity
Lavender is also associated with purity. It serves as a potent defense against micro-pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Whether you wish to cleanse your mind, body, or environment, lavender is the ideal herb for all types of purifying and detoxifying techniques. Lavender flowers are also considered a symbol of cleanliness and purity.
– Luxury
Lavender has one of the most incredible scents ever, and for this reason, it understandably represents all that is fine, including luxury. This alluring flower is an inspiration to take pleasure in life by reminding us that luxury and exquisiteness can be found even in the simplest things around us.
Given that lavender is a plant with many decorative uses and is frequently purchased for its perfume, it was previously not economical, and not everyone could afford it. Hence, there was a connotation that only the rich could have these plants, and they were considered a luxurious thing.
On the other hand, there was even a time in Southern France when lavender was considered to be the equivalent of cash. Lavender only became affordable when it started to be grown all over.
– Virtue
An unpopular symbol of the lavender flower is the representation of virtue. As the lavender frequently appears in the Bible, it also represents morality, along with purity, devotion, and love.
Lavender’s obvious yet appealing charm encourages us to seek out great ideas. In addition, it also serves as a reminder that morality depends on having a good outlook and rational thought. It brings to mind the need to maintain a positive outlook and sound judgment.
– Royalty
The lavender flower, with its purple color, is the key color that represents royalty. While it is a well-known symbol of class, refinement, and luxury, it is also widely utilized to adorn castles.
As the purple color of lavender uses highly expensive original dye, its scarcity contributes to its elite status. Purple cloth was previously only available to rulers due to its outrageous price.
Since the Roman emperors donned a Tyrian purple toga, purple has been the hue most closely associated with authority and regal status in Europe. On exceptional occasions, the British Royal Family and other European nobility continue to utilize it as a ceremonial color, and even the lavender itself.
Its therapeutic and antibacterial properties were widely acknowledged throughout the Roman era. In the Victorian era, lavender was also very popular. During this time, it was commonly used in perfumes and to give a pleasant scent to clothing and linen.
Even Queen Victoria herself was a strong advocate of using lavender. Lavender was immensely popular among women; therefore, she named Miss Sarah Sprules “Purvey of Lavender Essence to the Queen.”
– Health
It is well known that lavender has medicinal uses. In fact, people wore little bundles of lavender tied around their wrists as a barrier against harmful infections in 17th-century London.
On the came token, nasal congestion, toothaches, menstrual cramps, and light headaches are a few of the minor aches and pains that lavender has been used to cure. It might also be crucial for the treatment of various cancers and dementia, because it may be used in an infused way and still you would see its medical usage.
In addition, there are several common ways in which the lavender plant can be used for health, for example, it has antibacterial properties that enable it to be used in fumigating and getting rid of a range of diseases. The oil is also used to treat acne, wounds, bug bites, sunburns, and achy joints on the skin.
It is commonly used in diffusers or directly inhaled for immediate effect. It is mostly used for mental health or for boosting mood.
Lavender flower tea would be either fresh or dried flowers can be boiled in water, then strained, and consumed as an herbal tea.
It is used to relieve gas, reduce anxiety, stress, and sadness, promote sleep, and improve mood and memory. On this issue, some even use it for the betterment of their sleeping habit, because this plant has a way to improve the cardiac cycle of a person.
Like with the case of many herbal remedies, there is a lack of adequate scientific research on this, so it is always wise to consult a doctor when trying out these herbal remedies, as they might not be effective for everyone.
– Silence and Devotion
Given that the lavender flower has calming scents, it is also utilized in meditation and prayer spaces as a symbol of devotion and silence. As the person meditating would use the smell of the lavender to calm themselves down, to adjust their focus and to meditate with no disturbance.
In addition, lavender fields painted in a particular location represent silence and healing from the absence of chaos and noise.
– Love
The lavender flower meaning in love has been regarded as an aphrodisiac and an herb representing love. Frequently given as a gift to a special someone, lavender as a gift meaning sincere, unselfish or selfless love, which can be both for romantic love, for God, or both.
However, since lavender is also a plant that represents purity and healing, it symbolizes that kind of love as well.
What Is the Lavender Flower’s Meaning in Spiritual, Color, and Religious Aspects?
Aside from the above-mentioned symbolism, lavender has flower meaning based on various aspects, such as its corresponding spiritual, color, and specific religious meaning.
– Spiritual Meaning
Because these flowers have been used for over 2500 years, there is a profound meaning in their spiritual significance. It is believed that this lavender meaning spiritual is related to the fact that they are connected to the crown chakra, which is the energy center and affects spiritual enlightenment and consciousness.
In addition, lavender flowers are connected to traditional healing practices that address the body, mind, and spirit. They promote spiritual peace because they are frequently used as home decor due to their relaxing scent.
Furthermore, there is a prophetic meaning of lavender that some people believe that when a person unexpectedly notices a lavender flower in a bushel of lavender stems, something good is going to happen, and one must be on the lookout for any hidden messages or signs from the universe.
– Color Meaning
The lavender flowers have beautiful purple colors, which also symbolize strength and loyalty. The color of lavender can be found in a range of intensities, from delicate violet to sapphire blue.
In addition, because it mixes the two diametrically opposed colors of cold blue and crimson, purple is a symbol of respect and peace. Lavender, a fantastic complement to purple, denotes tranquility and harmony.
The lavender color is the mature version of femininity, whereas pink is the color of youth, and purple is the color of royalty.
It stands for sophistication, elegance, and grace. With its violet blossoms, lavender is frequently regarded as the most delicate and priceless plant in all of nature, holding a hallowed place there. Any bouquet with these lovely flowers in it conveys feminine beauty.
Another recently popularized representation of lavender or purple is the love of LGBT. Being queer people, it has not always been an easy journey for them, and the uniqueness of the color purple resonates with their distinct personalities. Over time, it has become a symbol of resistance for the LGBT community.
– Religious Meaning
The lavender flowers, which symbolize purity, are compared to the Virgin Mary in the Bible. The aromatic balm Spiked Nard, which is mentioned in the Bible, was believed to be made from the spike lavender plant.
Although this plant resembles the lavender we know today, it actually comes from a distinct herbal family other than the spikenard family. However, according to certain legends, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with an ointment that contained lavender essential oils.
Furthermore, in the Christian tradition, lavender is connected to the Virgin Mary because it stands for virtue and purity.
What Is Lavender in Different Cultural Views?
Different cultures used lavender in different ways, in the Egyptian culture, it is given a healing symbol, the Romans used the oil for nourishing themselves. The French used it for laundry, and the Greeks in their cosmetic needs. All these were symbolized as a delicacy in various aspects of use.
– Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians used lavender as perfume and for medicinal purposes. They also incorporated lavender into their mummification. Lavender was used as one of the essentials when embalming mummies.
To allow the departed to continue using lavender after death, ancient Egyptians filled tombs with perfumes, ointments, and other goods made from this flower. They even included the lavender plant in their artwork. As a result, lavender was revered in Ancient Egypt and was closely linked to eternal life.
– Romans
The Romans, on the other hand, used lavender for their oils and transported these oils across the Roman Empire, basically it was there for nourishing reasons. They used it in soaps, bathing, and air freshening, as well as in cooking.
For them, Lavender had a luxurious usage, and the symbol was seen as an expensive product.
– French
While in medieval and renaissance France, lavender was used in washing clothes, and these clothes were then spread out to dry over lavender bushes, as it was a delicate use for them and that is what it symbolized.
The women who were paid to do laundry were even called “lavenders.” Another use was to put it in drawers as a freshener and as a tincture to treat wounds and prevent infection as well.
In addition, the French used it in their culinary needs as well, in addition to rosemary and other herbs, as it pairs well with poultry such as with duck, chicken and even with turkey.
– Greeks
The characteristics of lavender were heavily utilized in ancient Greece to create pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Additionally, they added lavender to perfumes and used it for bathing.
Lavender was also a crucial component of religious rituals and festivities.
– Middle Eastern
Lavender was a common ingredient in several Middle Eastern countries, including Persia, in teas and other dishes. Traditional medications for the treatment of digestive, respiratory, and mental disorders were also made from the plant.
In the Middle East, lavender can be used in the kitchen as a refreshing addition to any dish because it comes from the mint family and has a floral, slightly sweet flavor, in addition to being used as an herbal tea, essential oil, and perfume, all this is because of the pure taste that it gives.
– European
The Lavender Victorian meaning equates to viewing as a luxuriant plant by the Victorians, who greatly valued lavender for its symbolism and meanings. As a result, it symbolized wealth and the good things in life. At the time, lavender-scented cosmetics and fragrances were extremely popular.
However, Europeans were familiar with lavender far before the Victorian era. In the 17th century, when the Black Plague was rife, the people of Bucklersbury town successfully escaped the deadly illness.
This, according to historians, was made possible by the Bucklersbury lavender industry’s success because the anti-microbial properties of lavender ensured the safety of the town’s inhabitants.
Given that lavender is widely accessible, it has been put to use in a variety of ways. While some of these uses have been known since ancient times, there are many more that have only recently come to light, and this is a key aspect to know about these beautiful purple flowers.
Conclusion
Lavender symbolizes a lot of things and has been used since ancient times. Through this article, we were able to discover its different representations, along with the all-time proven uses of this unique flower.
Let’s recap what we have learned so far:
- Over 2500 years ago, lavender flowers were used by the Egyptians, Romans, French, Greeks, Middle Easterners, and Europeans.
- Lavender flowers have many symbolisms, from healing and cosmetic to much more profound ones, such as spiritual and romantic. It is even believed to have the ability to activate the energy centers of a person.
- Love is also one of the flower’s representations, as it has been used as a symbolism by LGBT people.
- Even during the ancient period, different races had already discovered the different applications of this wonder flower.
This only proves how amazing this little bundle of good-scented flowers can be, and the next time you come across lavender, you will be able to appreciate it even more.
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