Carnation: meaning of the flower of the gods
Carnation is a plant that belongs to the family of Caryophyllaceae and it grows and blooms in temperate zones around the world, from Europe to the United States, from Central Asia to southern Canada. Like other flowers, the carnation also boasts a long history within the various cultures that have meant that, over the years, it assumed more than one meaning and was surrounded by a rich and fascinating symbolism. Today we will discover just what the meaning of the carnation is. in the language of flowers and on what occasions it is the ideal gift.
The origin of the carnation in mythology
The scientific name of the carnation is Dianthus and it is precisely starting from this term that it is possible, at least in part, to reconstruct its history from its origins.In fact, the carnation has always been known, since ancient times, and even then it was appreciated for its colors and the particular shape of the petals that make up the flower, jagged and ruffled. Today there are many species, but the most famous remains the Dianthus caryophyllus, also known as "common carnation'.
The first traces of this floral variety are found in the myths of ancient Greece. According to some legends, a boy had been seduced by Diana, but was then left by Diana shortly after. Out of desperation, he chose to abandon himself to death. From her tears shed in disappointment, however, beautiful white carnations were born. Other versions argue, however, that it was the goddess Diana herself who fell in love with the young boy but voted to remain chaste and virgin, she decided to tear out the young man's eyes to make it impossible for him to see other women. Once they cast their eyes on the ground, they turned into carnation flowers.
The Dianthus in history
As already mentioned, the carnation was appreciated in antiquity so much that it was the most cultivated among ornamental plants and was used to embellish temples and statues on important occasions. It was considered as the "flower of Zeus" by the Greeks and the "flower of Jupiter. "among the Romans and all this explains for some its original name. The Greek term Dianthus in fact, it can mean either "flower of the gods" or the "act of coronation" and "crowns", because in Greek sacred ceremonies it was precisely garlands of carnations that were offered to the deities.
According to others, however, the name "carnation" derives from the Latin "carnis", or meat. This interpretation could be explained by the pink color of the original carnation or by the word"incarnatio", that is, incarnation, understood as the" act of God who becomes flesh. It is not surprising, therefore, that when it was introduced in Christian Europe during the Middle Ages, the carnation was immediately understood as the flower of God. According to the story of a Christian legend, it appeared for the first time on Earth from the tears shed by the Virgin Mary. for the suffering of Jesus who carried the Cross to Calvary before dying.
The meaning of the carnation according to the color
Analyzing the connotations of the Dianthus caryophyllus in the course of history, we can already understand some of the meanings that this flower has assumed over the years. However, this floral species has become a symbol of different concepts and feelings depending on its color. Let's see the main ones:
- Red Carnation: Flowers in this shade are certainly the best known. Depending on the tone of red, the meaning of carnations varies. They can be an emblem of admiration, respect and affection or indicate the most carnal desire, deep love and even the one suffered.
- White carnation: appears as a recurring element in the art of the Renaissance in depicting spouses and marriage. In fact, the white Dianthus is a symbol of fidelity, mutual love, purity and innocence. Also for this meaning, it is often used to represent religious brotherhoods .
- Pink carnation: represents maternal love, friendship, remembrance and gratitude. It is no coincidence that pink carnations are among the most given to celebrate Mother's Day.
- Yellow carnation: of less positive significance is certainly this floral variety in yellow, because it indicates disappointment, rejection and indignation.
- Green Carnation: Thanks to its calming color, the green carnation represents knowledge and perseverance. In the past, it was seen as a symbol of good luck.
The uses of the carnation in various cultures
The language of flowers allows us to understand the meaning behind the different floral species in order to know which ones to choose as a symbol of an "important occasion or as a gift to a loved one. As for the carnation, it must be said that, also in this case, everything depends a lot on the color of its petals.
In Western culture, the red carnation is the flower par excellence of the first wedding anniversary and has also been chosen as the emblem of the Labor Day in Italy and other European countries, while in Portugal it has become the emblem of the commemoration of the Portuguese revolution. In Korea, on the other hand, it is used together with the pink one to show love and gratitude towards one's parents during the day of their national holiday.
We have already said how the pink carnation in Italian territory is typical of the celebration of Mother's Day, but it often appears in gift bouquets that are exchanged between relatives and close friends, precisely because of its meaning of selfless love and gratitude.
Finally, the white carnation is frequently found in religious ceremonies. Sometimes it is a question of weddings, recovering the Renaissance tradition and the connotation of the flower of fidelity, for others of funeral functions where it indicates a message of peace and tranquility, especially for the innocent soul of a young deceased person.
Carnation cultivation
We conclude with some hints on the cultivation of carnation. Let's start by saying that it is a plant suitable for everyone, even the less experienced in gardening. It can be grown in pots or directly on the ground in the garden.
What is fundamental for this floral species is, without a doubt, the sunny exposure and regular watering in spring that allow the plants to bloom in summer. In this regard, to make the flowers last longer, gardening experts recommend promptly eliminating the dry ones so as to encourage the growth of new ones.
The petals of carnations that are not chemically treated or with pesticides are still widely used today as decoration, both in the interior of the house and in refined dishes ranging from savory to sweet recipes.
