Ever know what the meaning of a pansy flower behind its bright and vibrant beauty? More than a pop of color that would beautify your garden, it relates to rich symbolism in history. Their fascinating colors and soft petals hypnotized humans for centuries. This article presents an in-depth guide on pansies, exploring their different meanings, historical significance, and growing tips.
Meaning of A Pansy Flower
The meaning of a pansy flower is often linked with thoughts, memories, and remembrance. Their symbolism can vary depending on the cultural context, but they generally represent:
- Thoughtfulness: Pansies remind you to be grateful for these moments and to reflect on your life for its beauty. Delicate petals with bright colors can give a sense of tranquility and quietness; thus, it can allow you to think about the present time.
- Remembrance: These flowers are used at memorial services or to honor loved ones who are no longer with us. Their relation to remembrance comes from the fact that they can bring good memories of a loved one and comfort during sadness.
- Memory: The pansies would act like a time machine through which someone travels to the past to relive the best moments in their lives. Bright colors and patterns can then act as optical triggers in the brain, firing it to travel and revisit certain times in the past.
- Cheerfulness: Their colors and general appearance are bright and cheery, thus lifting the spirits of the people around them. Pansies have commonly been viewed as flowers that spread optimism and happiness by brightening even the worst of days.
Pansy Flower Color Meanings
The meaning of a pansy flower is varied, depending on the colors they are. Purple pansies are flowers of royalty, wisdom, and dignity. Yellow pansies speak to happiness, cheerfulness, and warmth. White pansies are emblems of purity, innocence, and peace; blue pansies reflect loyalty, faithfulness, and trust. Pink pansies speak to love, affection, and tenderness and may even express gratitude and appreciation.
Botanical Characteristics of Pansy Flower
Besides their symbolic meanings, pansies have some amazing botanical features that set them apart. For example, the five petals constituting a pansy flower can be observed to represent the five senses of humans: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling. This association gives a clear impression of how a pansy is capable of appealing to and pleasing all our senses.
The heart shape of a pansy flower has also been associated with love and affection for ages. When the fragile petal comes in this type of heart-shaped structure, it triggers a pleasant feeling in one’s heart relating to tenderness and mercy. This is why the demand for pansies is so great to portray love and sweetheart messages.
Last but not least, the dark markings on a pansy flower’s center are its “eyes,” showing attention and watchfulness. The markings are like human eyes, suggesting a sense of awareness and observation. We can understand this symbolism in various ways: A reminder to be mindful and present at the moment or a representation of the flower’s ability to observe and appreciate its surroundings.
History of Pansy Flower
We believe that most of us didn’t know that the beautiful meaning of a pansy flower has a rich history dating back centuries. They are native to Europe, having appeared as natural mutations of ancient viola cultivars. A first wild Pansy was identified and named at some time after the 4th century BCE; it doubtless had its origin in or around France, given that the flower’s French name is credited for its original name.
A turning point in Pansy breeding came in the early 1800s in England, when breeder William Thompson and his friend Lord Gambier began crossheading viola flowers in Iver, Buckinghamshire. Through their efforts, they were able to create several new species of violas with increased size, color, and shape. Ultimately, their efforts fruited Viola x Wittrockiana, the most reared variety of Pansy today.
In the Victorian Era, they became extremely popular among home gardens in Europe and soon swept the continent. The late 19th century saw the introduction of pansies to the New World through garden catalogs, then they captured the attention of gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike. When it came to the late 19th and throughout the 20th century, hybridization and crossbreeding continued unabated with this plant, producing a wide range of new varieties.
Facts About Pansy Flower that You Didn’t Know
You will be surprised by the interesting facts about pansy flowers that nobody knows:
- Official Symbol of Osaka, Japan: Pansy is also an official symbol of Osaka. The bright city is tantalized by the cheerful spirit of the pansy and for adding beauty even in an urban setting.
- Derived from European Wildflower: Modern pansy traces its origin back to the small tri-color viola, a European wildflower. The tender cultivation and hybridization over centuries have changed the humble wildflower into the beauty that bloomed before us today.
- Gardeners’ Discovery: Modern pansies are a great example of the keen and active observation of gardeners. They were able to breed these into the large variety of pansies that we have available for growing in our gardens today.
- Shakespearean Star: Probably one of the most memorable appearances of pansies was in the famous play of Shakespeare entitled A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Edible Plant: According to IFT, Pansy flower does have a nutritional composition such as protein, carbohydrate, linoleic acid, etc. It means pansy flowers can be used as an additional ingredient to increase the nutritional value of foods. Check out the detailed IFT post to gain a comprehensive look.
How to Gift Pansy Flower?
Are you going to express your emotion through the meaning of a pansy flower? Their symbolism of thoughtfulness, remembrance, and cheerfulness makes them a perfect choice for various occasions. Here are some creative ways to gift pansies:
Gift a bright and striking bouquet with a focus on pansies. Combine with other matching flowers like tulips, daffodils, and snapdragons for a beautiful and balanced arrangement. A bouquet of pansies can be a great way to be able to give your sentiments and lighten up someone’s day.
A more permanent gift would be planting the pansies in a nice-looking planter. Choose one that is similar to the style and personality of the person in mind. Attach a personal note to a small tag on it. A potted pansy can give them tons of enjoyment and beauty inside their home or outside in their garden.
For a really special and unique gift, try having a custom floral arrangement made up of pansies. You should work with the florist to design the one-of-a-kind arrangement that shows the recipient’s preferences. Whether for a romantic gesture, a birthday, or simply an appreciation token, a customized pansy arrangement will be a memorable and heartfelt gift.
Bottom Lines
Throughout this article, we have explored the meaning of a pansy flower, such an interesting journey right? With bright colors and important botanical characteristics, they are the flowers that will help convey your feelings or add beauty to your surroundings. Let these pansies light up your day and make you more appreciative of the beauties of life.