The Chrysanthemum, also known as a mum, is a beautiful fall flower with a colorful history of cultural significance and nuances worldwide. Mums come in different varieties, colors, and shapes and hold different meanings in various cultures, all qualities that make them a symbol of diversity and universal appeal.
Among the remarkable qualities they are renowned for are their lively and intense colors and diverse forms. Understanding and appreciating the meaning of the Chrysanthemum flower, therefore, requires exploring its origins, diverse interpretations across different cultures, what the different colors mean, and its gardening, among many other characteristics.
Chrysanthemum Flower Origins and Subsequent Adoption
The genus Chrysanthemum incorporates about 40 species of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. This flower originates in East Asia, particularly China, where they have been cultivated for centuries. This flower's scientific name, Chrysanthemum, is derived from Ancient Greek, where chrysos means gold and anthemom means flower. It is quite a fitting description, considering the flower's often golden hues.
Photo by @natur_eally
Historically, Chinese botanists bred and cultivated different varieties of mums between 500 and 1,000 B.C. They highly held these plants, considering them honorable flowers. These early flower gardeners also believed that mums possessed the power of life. Mums later spread to Japan, where they were offered as a gift from one emperor to another. The Japanese also highly regarded mums, just like their Chinese counterparts. The flower also spread to Korea and other parts of Asiam where it, just the same way, became an integral part of the cultural heritage.
But, it was in the 1700s that it spread to Europe. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, formally described the genus in 1753, and it bears his name (L.) as the botanical authority. He had studied Chrysanthemums and thought they looked quite like the corn marigold. Thus, he named them Chrysanthemum indicum.
That notwithstanding, the taxonomy of the genus remained quite contentious and has undergone several revisions. Species formerly included in the genus Chrysanthemum include corn marigold (Glebionis segetum), costmary (Tanacetum balsamita), feverfew (T. parthenium), tansy (T. vulgare), Marguerite, or Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens), and Shasta daisy (hybrid form of Leucanthemum maximum).
Growing Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums - which are, in essence, the November birth flowers - are perennial herbaceous plants, often subshrubs, with alternate leaves that may be pinnatisect, lobed, or serrated (toothed) but rarely entire. They are connected to stalks with hairy bases and have a compound inflorescence with several flower heads or a solitary head.
Particularly common in East Asia, Chrysanthemums have, from time immemorial, often been depicted in art and are popular ornamentals in this region. Numerous cultivated species and hybrids exist, with more than 20,000 cultivars growing worldwide and roughly 7,000 in China alone. With over 40 species and countless hybrids, they can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, from compact, bushy plants to tall, statuesque stems. All of these offer an ideal flower that you'll love.
Chrysanthemums are relatively easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements. They are best planted in spring so that they can set root and develop during the summer months and become bloomers in the fall season. They also require rich, well-draining soil. When it comes to growing Chrysanthemums, it's all about the right scheduling and planning.
Coming in different varieties with different growth characteristics, Chrysanthemum flowers can be cultivated in different ways, be it directly in gardens or pots for decorating patios and decks. And their blooms come in different colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, and purple.
They do not quite like standing water and will rot if left too wet. While growing them, pinching back the stems creates a bushier plant, and fertilizing is important for their healthy growth. And, just so you know, dividing mums every two to three years helps them thrive and return year after year! To add more, this is how you can take care of your Chrysanthemums and also incorporate these mums into your fall floral compositions and arrangements to enhance the autumnal spirit.
Some Chrysanthemum Flower Shapes
Chrysanthemums generally come in several shapes and sizes. There are single and semi-double Chrysanthemums, for example, that have a flat center and up to five radiating rows of long, daisy-like petals. Incurve Chrysanthemums (regular, intermediate, and irregular) possess large, compact globe-shaped blooms. Quill mums have long, straight, tube-shaped petals. Pompom mums produce several colorful little globe-like blooms per stem, with the tiniest called button mums. Santini Chrysanthemums are miniature multi-headed spray varieties with shorter stems and smaller flower heads.
There are also cushion mums, which are bushy, low-growing plants with massess of midsized blooms. Anemone mums have a raised center surrounded by shorter, darker petals. Spider mums have long, curling petals that resemble spiders. Spoon mums have long, spoon-like petals. Bush and thistle mums produce medium-large blooms with fine tubular florets. Decorative mums have short plants and big, showy blooms. Reflex mums are large blooms with irregularly growing petals.
The Symbolic Meaning of Chrysanthemums in Different Cultures
In the language of flowers (floriography), Chrysanthemums have different meanings across cultures. This, essentially, makes them versatile flowers with different interpretations globally.
In China, the Chrysanthemum is traditionally offered to the elderly, symbolizing long life and good luck in the home. It is among the Four Gentlemen in Chinese art, along with the plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo. Still, in China, the Chrysanthemum is connected to Taoism and is seen as a symbol of autumn, a time of reflection and inner growth. The flower is also believed to have medicinal properties and is often used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The Japanese name for Chrysanthemum, on the other hand, is Kiku, and it is a symbol of royalty and the Imperial family. In the country, it is also the official seal of the Imperial family, and the institution of the monarchy is called the Chrysanthemum Throne. Also, the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, known as Dai-kun'i kikka-shō, is Japan's highest order, whose Grand Cordon was established in 1876 by Emperor Meiji. It is the most prestigious honor awarded by the Emperor.
In Europe and some other countries, Chrysanthemum has a more multifarious and sometimes contradictory set of meanings. While it is generally associated with optimism and joy, in some countries, it is also seen as a symbol of death and mourning, particularly when used in funeral arrangements.
In Great Britain, the Chrysanthemums are a symbol of happiness and longevity. During the Victorian era, Chrysanthemums were given to show friendship and well-wishing. In Australia, they are the official flower for Mother's Day. And in Belgium and Austria, they are used as memorial flowers to honor loved ones. In some European countries, as noted previously, incurve Chrysanthemums symbolize death and are used for funerals or on graves.
Photo by @theflowerwife
Nuances of Color: What Does the Chrysanthemum Flower Mean in Different Hues?
The flower's colors are also symbolic of different meanings in general. Red Chrysanthemums symbolize love and deep passion, while yellow Chrysanthemums represent neglected love or sorrow. White Chrysanthemums are a symbol of loyalty and devoted love. Even still, from a regional perspective, their colors also have different meanings altogether.
In China, Japan, and Korea, for instance, white Chrysanthemums symbolize adversity, lamentation, and grief. In other countries, they represent honesty. In Germany, white Chrysanthemums are often taken home on Christmas Eve, as they are believed to be the Christ Child. They are, similarly, symbols of truth and purity in other cultures, and putting them in a vase is thought to encourage honesty in the house.
Photo by @royalvanzanten
Yellow Chrysanthemums symbolize neglected love or sorrow in some cultures. It could also symbolize happiness, joy, and optimism in other cultures. In Anglo-Saxon countries, they have been given to congratulate a birth. In some Asian cultures, they are commonly associated with positive energy and good fortune. In Japan, these yellow mums are often used to celebrate the arrival of autumn and are a popular motif in traditional art and literature. In the United States, they are commonly used in bouquets and arrangements to express gratitude and friendship and also herald the arrival of auturmn.
On the other hand, red Chrysanthemums symbolize love and deep passion. They have, nearly, the same meaning as roses and are often given during thematic celebrations and parties. In Japan, they are, usually, associated with the samurai spirit and are often used in martial arts ceremonies. In other cultures, red Chrysanthemums are seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and abundance. Whereas the symbolism of orange mums often falls in between the red and yellow flowers.
Pink Chrysanthemums represent many significances. They could symbolize femininity, motherhood, and maternal instincts in women. They are, similarly, said to possess healing energies that balance emotions and soothe the nerves. These mums are equally thought to bring inner peace and calmness during meditation and recreate love, affection, and admiration. Plus, they communicate nuances of friendship and affection towards close ones and remain a way to communicate budding romantic feelings as well. Bi-colored and tri-colored Chrysanthemums, on their part, add an extra layer of complexity and meaning to the flower.
Chrysanthemum Flower Tattoo Meaning
The Chrysanthemum flower's symbolism and rich history have made it a popular subject in tattoos as well. It represents many symbols, including the Imperial seal and qualities like determination. In Japanese tattoos, Chrysanthemums symbolize generosity, greatness, and determination, which ties into the deep cultural roots the flower has in Japan.
Photo by @brookesteele_tattoos
The meaning of the Chrysanthemum tattoo can change or strengthen when combined with other elements. For example, combining a Chrysanthemum with a skull creates a protective amulet, while combining it with a dragon or lion reinforces the meaning of courage. Two butterflies with a Chrysanthemum may symbolize the love between a parent and child, while a Chrysanthemum with a ladybug indicates tenderness and femininity.
Generally, the design itself influences the meaning of the Chrysanthemum tattoo. A realistic depiction might emphasize the flower's beauty, while a stylized or abstract design could convey a more personal or symbolic message. Thus, adding these other elements, such as animals or other flowers, can further modify the tattoo's overall meaning. All the same, the versatility of the Chrysanthemum flower in tattoo art reflects the flower's symbolism and dynamism.
Photo by @probodysupply
What Is the Meaning of the Chrysanthemum Flower? It Is a Personal Reflection!
The Chrysanthemum flower meaning is, in many ways, not singular but rather an interaction of cultural interpretations, color symbolism, and artistic expression. It can represent diverse emotions and concepts, thus understanding its nuances requires appreciating the different interpretations across different cultures and artistic expressions. The question, 'What does the Chrysanthemum flower mean?', therefore, hardly has a single and definite answer but rather many possibilities, all of which are just as fascinating as the flower itself and its rich history.
Photo by @momogarden.tx
The question, ‘What does the Chrysanthemum flower mean?’, therefore, hardly has a single and definite answer but rather many possibilities, all of which are just as fascinating as the flower itself and its rich history.
Feature image by @zentoo_chrysanthemums, header image by @royalvanzanten
