The Iris flower is one great marvel of nature. Its tender petals and striking color shades stand out in any garden or bouquet. Its name derives from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Thus, it represents purity and beauty. However, going beyond an even captivatingly beautiful appearance, the Iris carries other deep symbolic meanings that have resonated through centuries and cultures.
From wisdom and hope to courage and positive change, the meanings associated with this flower are as colorful as its hue. If you still don’t know much about the iris flower meaning, spend a few minutes reading this article. Each color of the iris contains its own meaning and will be great to be gifted on certain occasions.
Interesting Iris Flower Insights
The iris flower is more than just a charming view in your garden. The flower is respected for its symbolic meaning, which ranges from hope to royalty, and for its exquisite beauty. Let’s explore what makes the Iris flower interesting, starting with its origins to the meaning of its name.
What Is the Iris Flower?
The Iris is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants and was grown in 1749 BC. The most striking and obvious characteristics of Irises are their sword-shaped leaves, combined with large, intricate blooms. Colors range from purple, blue, brown, pink, white, orange, yellow and even black.
The Iris is one of the popular flowers in gardens and floristry. Its unique structure makes it different from any other flower, with three upright petals known as standards and 3 downward-hanging petals known as falls.
What Does The Name “Iris” Mean?
Originating from the Greek word for “rainbow,” the name “Iris” is named after the goddess Iris, who was believed to serve as a messenger between the gods and humanity. The Iris goddess often evokes a rainbow, symbolizing the connection between earth and heaven. And this imagery mirrors the wide spectrum of colors found in this flower.
Iris Flower Meaning – What Does Iris Flower Symbol?
The Iris flower meaning is steeped in symbolism. Whether as a gift or admired in a garden, the Iris carries meanings to inspire and uplift. Let’s explore some of the many symbolic meanings this stately flower speaks to.
Wisdom
The Iris flower symbolizes wisdom. This Iris flower meaning can be traced back to ancient Greece where the Iris goddess served as a messenger between the gods and humanity. This is why Iris flowers are symbolic of wisdom, enlightenment, and understanding. The 3 main petals of Irises sometimes are said to symbolize faith, valor, and wisdom. Therefore, Iris is a reminder to seek wisdom and embrace knowledge in everyday life or literature and art.
Hope & Faith
The significance of the Iris flower centers on hope and faith. With its vivid colors and beautiful form, the Iris has long been a symbol of hope, serving as a beacon of light during terrible times. Its faith and hope meaning are linked with its role as a messenger in Greek mythology, representing the trust and belief that connects the human and divine.
Courage & Bravery
Other profound Iris flower meanings are courage and bravery. The strong, upright stance of the Iris, with bold colors and on tall, slender stems, signifies staunchness and strength to deal with all the challenges that life may throw.
Royalty & Power
The Iris has long been a plant associated with royalty and power, especially in European history. This is the flower for the French monarchy when King Clovis chose Irises as their royal emblem, known as the fleur-de-lis. Thus, these majestic flowers have been used many times by royalty. Similarly, the ancient Egyptians also used Iris flowers for their palaces and kings for aesthetic reasons.
Positive Change
The Iris flower finally represents positive change and transformation. The Iris’s emergence in early spring, a time of renewal and growth, symbolizes new beginnings and the positive changes that come with them. This is the flower of having the courage to go through change, the wisdom to conduct it, and also the hope that things will eventually turn for good. Iris encourages us to accept changes in our lives and embrace them as a chance for growth and development.
Iris Flower Meaning By Colors
Irises have various colors, and each one carries its own unique symbolism. From pure whites to mysterious blacks, the color further enhances this Iris flower meaning symbolic bloom.
White Irises
White Irises symbolize purity, innocence, and strength to begin anew. They are the flowers that are often associated with many a ceremonial event marking very special occasions in life, like weddings, and birthday parties of newborn babies and toddlers.
Orange Irises
Orange Irises are flowers of enthusiasm, passion, and warmth. Their vivid color represents joy, happiness, and creativity in life. Therefore, they can be used in cases of celebration of certain achievements or brightening up somebody’s day. They are also perfect gifts for someone who is going to have a new job or start a new journey.
Red Irises
Red Irises are the symbol of love, passion, and strong emotions. Their deep red color shares connections with the heart and symbolizes romantic emotions. These Irises are the best way to express deep affection, making them perfect for romantic gestures and occasions, such as dates and anniversaries.
Brown Irises
Not as common is the brown Irises, which express stability, dependability, and attachment to earth. Their earthy shades denote grounding and perseverance, offering a rare way of showing care and commitment to loved ones.
Black Irises
These blacks represent power, grace, and the unknown. The dark hue of the Irises brings the meanings of mystery, sophistication, independence as well as resilience.
Purple Irises
Like other purple flowers (like lavenders), the purple Irises represent royalty, bravery, and knowledge. Traditionally, its deep hue has been linked to nobility and grandeur. These flowers are often given as a way to show admiration and honor towards a person’s achievements.
Pink Irises
Grace, gentleness, and affection are the meanings of the pink Iris flower. The soft pink tones are associated with the feelings of love and tenderness. Thus, these pink flowers can be used to show admiration or celebrate a bond with someone special, including friendship.
Yellow Irises
When mentioning yellow flowers, we are talking about happiness, positivity, and friendship. Their shining and cheerful color talk much about the warmth of the sun and the delight of life. This makes yellow Irises suitable for lifting spirits or celebrating some joyous occasion, especially birthdays.
Blue Irises
Blue Irises represent hope, faith, and tranquility. The cool, calming shades of blue mean serenity and peace. It is a good flower to give as a gift to comfort someone or as a wish for a serene future.
FAQs
Yes, Iris flowers have been used in traditional medicine, but with caution. The Iris root has been used for its medicinal properties, such as cathartic, sialogogue, and anthelmintic. However, it is important to note that some parts of the Iris plant can be toxic if used improperly.
Irises are adaptive to give on many occasions. They can be suitable for birthdays, weddings, and congratulations. Iris flowers also are flawless traditional choices usually used in the 25th wedding anniversaries. Especially, you can use red Iris flowers instead of roses for a date or Valentine’s Day. Yellow Irises are beautiful choices to give to your family members and close friends.
Final Thoughts
If you are an Iris flower enthusiast, you will even be inspired more after finishing this writing of Iris flower meaning. Its majestic look and vibrant colors bring many profound meanings. If you want to start your day with energy, a bouquet of joyful yellow Irises will be your great choice.