Richly colored, and funnel-shaped blooms that come in glorious colorings, morning glory flowers are a true delight to behold especially in the early mornings. The flower’s moniker is the common name for more than 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, all of which produce richly vibrant flowers.
However, outside its ravishing visual appeal, the morning glory carries a richness of symbolic meaning and significance. Knowing its deeper essence can, therefore, offer a unique perspective into the natural world and the human experience. So, let’s carry on to learn about the morning glory meaning, beyond its physical merits.
The Morning Glory Flower
Often known as Ipomoea, the morning glory flower has always been admired and praised for its beauty, resilience, and symbolic meanings. It has a long history that dates back to the early 3rd century and has since, been a significant part of human culture. It continues to hold special meaning for many people around the world.
Just like the name implies, morning glory flowers unfurl into full bloom in the early morning. It is one of the flowers that bloom at night while glowing under the moon. The flowers usually start to fade a few hours before the corolla begins to display visible curling. In essence, this beautiful vining annual blooms before the heat of the day, with its blossoms found in shades of purples, blues, pinks, and whites.
The flower’s brightly colored trumpet-shaped blooms have a slight fragrance to them and, other than their obvious aesthetics, they are popular with pollinators and other insects like bees and butterflies.
Photo by KIMDAEJEUNG
Across Different Cultures, What Is the Meaning of Morning Glory Flowers?
The morning glory flower holds very many meanings, with its variety of colors, also, playing a significant role in dictating its ascribed symbolism across different cultures. But generally, its typical symbolism cuts across different cultures, representing diverse aspects such as love, purity, and spiritual enlightenment.
It, likewise, symbolizes tenderness, and tenacity, prodding individuals to pursue their dreams with gentle strength and persistence. The morning glory, also, represents life and its fleeting nature. It provides a cue for one to live life to the fullest and appreciate every moment of their being.
The morning glory's ability to bloom anew each day, also, signifies resilience and the power of rejuvenation. This theme of rebirth is particularly relevant in various cultures, where it is associated with renewal and new beginnings. In different cultures, it holds different meanings. In Japanese culture, for instance, the morning glory signifies fleeting beauty and the transient nature of life, while in Chinese folklore, it embodies love and affection.
Some Native Americans view the morning glory as a symbol of strength and resilience, while in other Native American cultures, the flower is believed to protect against evil spirits and bad luck. In Mexico, the morning glory flower is linked to Aztec mythology and represents sacrifice and penance, while still yet, in the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans, and even Egyptians, the morning glory was used as a decorative element. Here, its ability to thrive in challenging conditions and bloom early in the morning made it a representation of resilience and tenacity.
In Japanese lore, the morning glory flower was associated with the story of Izanagi and Izanami, the god and goddess of creation. The flower was said to have grown where Izanami was buried and symbolized her love and beauty. This flower, which is known as Asagao, still has more allegories attached to it in Japanese culture. For instance, if you dream of an Asagao flower, it is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity. The flower, equally, represents love, affection, and gratitude. It also normally represents the transient nature of life.
The morning glory flower, furthermore, has a duality in meaning, which is quite intriguing. In Victorian times, it could epitomize love or mortality, love in vain, or even unreciprocated love. Chinese folklore, on the other hand, associates it with lovers meeting on a special day, while Christians see it as a prompt to the finite nature of life.
What is more, morning glories have been a popular theme in literature and art, where they embody youthfulness, beauty, and transience. Here, they have been used as a metaphor for transitory beauty, as the flowers bloom in the morning and wither away in the early hours of the afternoon. Even still, in pop culture, the phrase ‘morning glory’ has multiple meanings, depending on the context and cultural background.
For example, while the flower is the most common association with 'morning glory', the term can also refer to (What's the Story) Morning Glory? the second studio album by the English rock band Oasis. It also refers to a classic cocktail that hardly goes ignored, a green vegetable consumed in Thailand, or a type of firework sparkler. The term ‘morning glory’ also has a slang meaning that emerged in the late 1800s, referring to a horse that performed well in morning practice but poorly in the actual race. This then extended to describe people who did not live up to their expected potential. But, all that is outside its flowery connotations.
Photo by Gary Fultz
The color of the morning glory also carries meaning. White morning glory flowers, for example, symbolize purity, while red ones represent a strong heart. The flower's variety of colors, including blue, purple, red, white, and yellow, also generally adds to its aesthetic appeal and versatility.
Morning Glory Flower Tattoo and Its Meaning
The morning glory's beauty and variety of colors make it a handy tattoo subject. This quality allows for creative interpretations and personalization. The meaning behind a morning glory tattoo can vary depending on the individual's intentions and personal experiences. It can represent love, affection, resilience, renewal, or a deep connection to nature.
Photo by @tattoo.vinc
Just the same way, its tattoo design holds a deep and lasting connotation in tattoo culture, expressing themes such as love, life, and spirituality. Many people choose morning glory tattoos to express their love, commitment, and devotion towards their partners, and their other valued causes.
In some tattoos, for example, the morning glory's climbing and twisting vines indicate resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles. This can be a significant meaning for those who have gone through difficult times and have come out stronger. The morning glory tattoo is, for that reason, an aesthetically attractive feature, with its vibrant colors and intricate details, and can be inked on different parts of the body.
Photo by @jason.pedersen.art
Why Is Morning Glory a Perfect September Birth Month Flower?
The morning glory flower is often associated with September and is considered a birth month flower for those born in this month. Its symbolism of tenacity and tenderness, in this regard, inspires one to pursue their dreams with gentle strength and perseverance.
The flower’s daily cycle and ability to bloom anew denote resilience and the power of renewal. This theme of renaissance is particularly relevant in September, as it marks the transition from summer to autumn, a time of transformation and new beginnings. September presents a shift in landscapes and the beginning of cooler temperatures, resonating with a connection to nature.
Photo by Tiểu Bảo Trương
Furthermore, since the morning glory has been associated with love and affection in many cultures, for those born in September, it can represent emotional bonds and spiritual influences they have in their lives.
All these, and many more, make this flower — alongside Aster flowers — an expressive choice for a September birth flower, reflecting the unique qualities and experiences of those born in this month. It, therefore, would make an ideal flower gift for special September occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and other new beginnings.
If you'd love to read and know more about these September birth month flowers, then you can check out the article: What Are The September Birth Flowers?
Morning Glory Flower Care and Cultivation
With its exquisite beauty and unique features, the morning glory is, definitely, a favorite among gardeners. The fast-growing plants are often the first flowering vines that gardeners become familiar with. Their heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers, not only make perfect gardening additions but also attract wildlife to gardens.
As such, growing morning glories is a relatively easy task, but it requires some specific care and attention. To cultivate the flower, first, choose a sunny spot for the morning glories. They thrive in full sun, so ensure they receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
Plant them in well-draining soil that is moderately fertile. Moist but not soggy soil is ideal, and regular watering is essential to keep the soil moist. Also, provide support for the vines to climb, such as trellises, pergolas, or arches. Morning glories twine their vines around these supports, so make sure there is enough space for them to grow.
You can then sow the flowers directly in the garden after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Their sprouting rates can be improved by filing down the seeds and soaking them before planting. Water them thoroughly at planting and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer to encourage their growth. Also, avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to more foliage than flowers. Note that morning glories are low maintenance, but regular watering during dry periods is important. Mulch can be used to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
As they develop, pinch off old flowers before they turn into seedpods to prevent reseeding and, also, encourage more flowers. Being hardly and rarely troubled by pests and diseases, they are sometimes susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and leaf miners, which are possible pests, and root rot and powdery mildew the potential diseases. You should, as a result, look out for these.
Morning Glory Flower Design Aesthetics
Not only is the morning glory a beautiful addition to gardens but it, also, is a popular choice for incorporating into design aesthetics. Its exceptional characteristics and beauty make it a useful element that can improve different design concepts. Morning glory vines can, for instance, quickly cover trellises, pergolas, arches, and fences, forming a colorful and vibrant wall. They can, also, be used to cover unsightly areas or to create a living fence, porch, or deck railing. Planting these flowers’ vines in containers with supporting trellises is, yet, another popular design choice.
Photo by Gary Fultz
Moreover, the dwarf morning glory, a close relative of the typical vining morning glory, is more compact and produces mounds of hirsute silvery-green foliage. Likewise, its vivid blue flowers make it a perfect addition to landscapes, pairing well with other flower and foliage colors. The glorious morning glory is, therefore, a flower you should try out whenever and wherever you can!
Header image by KIMDAEJEUNG.
