It isn’t every day that you can come across an orchid and its exotic beauty. The most interesting thing about this flower is not only its ornamental beauty. It lies hidden in its meaning and symbolism.
For example, a white, blue, and red orchid each means grace, tranquility, and love. A green, yellow, and orange orchid symbolizes good luck, joy, and endurance. Lastly, a pink or purple orchid represents flattery and royalty.
Orchids are also one of the world’s most highly valued and delectable spices and flavoring comes from this gorgeous plant! Orchids are such popular flowers it almost beats red roses in terms of unique beauty. Pro tip – this bold bloom would make a gorgeous addition to your indoor floral collection given its natural beauty!
History of the Orchid Plant
The orchid history is something quite beautiful and interesting. Its history dates back to 120 million years ago. Amidst its very early discovery, the earliest records of these flowering plants were between 3,000 – 4,000 years ago in China and Japan.
The first Orchids were botanically defined in 1845 as non-woody perennial plants with showy 3-petaled flowers. Unlike other florals that belong to a single genus, most orchids may come from quite a few different genera.
There is a wide array of some of the types of orchids and each has that perfect orchid hue. Here are the common type of orchid along with new ones: the Dendrobium, Cattleya, Vanda, Vanilla orchids, European orchids, and Phalaenopsis or Moth orchid which all belong to the Orchidaceae family.
You might be wondering how this flower got its name – truly, it is not what you’ll expect. The name Orchid comes from the Greek word Orchis meaning testicle! The Greek philosopher Theophrastus coined this word! Why of all things a testicle? Because the Greeks saw the orchid’s tubers resemble it!
With its beauty so transcending, the orchids are adored just about anywhere around the globe! It has a symbiotic relationships with trees and can remain healthy with proper care. Specifically in the tropical regions to montane cloud forests with a big exception of the cold in Antarctica!
Symbolism of Orchid Flowers
The orchid symbolism has a great big ordeal for many countries and cultures. In Singapore, the Orchid Vanda Miss Joaquim is the country’s national flower symbolizing its resilience and its all-year-round blooming splendor!
The Republic of Panama also honors a specific Orchid as its national flower. The Dove Orchid is the country’s national flower and is symbolic of hope and guidance.
The Chinese locally know Orchids as Lan Hua and are said to symbolize love and beauty as well as refinement! According to Chinese beliefs, these flowers also are symbolic of many children.
In other perspectives, the orchids symbolize new beginnings or a new adventure and a new chapter in life. Aside from this, it can also represent passion and love as said in the language of flowers.
Meaning of Orchid Flowers
There are more than just orchid meanings out there. In the language of flowers, an orchid meaning entails an irresistible charm and an inspiring grace.
Such flowers are also the epitome of high social status and regality, But alas, not all meaning behind such things is too good to be true. Each colored orchid has its own unique meaning.
Surprisingly, the presence and sight of an orchid convey a hidden mystery – like a guessing game! But don’t guess too hard because the mystery behind these actually means having a sense of maturity and sensuality.
There are quite a few unique orchid colors available for gardeners to collect. Each orchid color listed down below has its own unique meaning and symbolism.
What does a White Orchid Flower Mean?
The color white always has such a pure meaning. White orchids give the meaning of a divine grace creating good flowing energy in the surroundings.
What does a Pink Orchid Blossom Symbolize?
This gorgeous pink flower offers the symbolism of flattery. Some may even say that these pink orchids symbolize the rare beauty of a lady.
What does a Purple Orchid Floret Indicate?
Purple orchids are floral bearers indicating royalty and high class. Additionally, these flowers also show hints of refinement as well as good fortune.
What does a Red Orchid Bloom Represent?
Most floral enthusiasts regard red orchids as beautiful charms. Not just any beautiful charm but a mature charm for older people in love!
What does a Blue Orchid Flower Symbolize?
Blue orchids are symbolic of a prized treasure – just what an orchid truly is! In fact, these florals are also a figure of tranquility.
What does a Yellow Orchid Blossom Mean?
There is no doubt the color yellow is a happy color. Having yellow orchids in your garden means being thoughtful and joyful – just like the shining sun!
What does an Orange Orchid Floret Represent?
These orange orchids represent a thriving endurance and the state of being lighthearted amidst the endurance! Quite tacky!
What does a Green Orchid Bloom Indicate?
Green has always been a lucky color – the color of a four-leaf clover! And a green orchid is extremely rare. For green orchids, this symbolizes bountiful good luck and prosperous long life.
In fact, gifting this colored orchid is a very meaningful gesture.
What is the Cultural Significance of an Orchid Flower?
Many cultures hold a very important significance to the orchids. The ancient Greeks believed orchids were potency charms women used to enchant men. In fact, the women in ancient Greece used the tubers as a charm to execute their sexual desires with their partners and vice versa!
During the Victorian age, orchids were considered very rare and elusive. It was an obsession to collect these flowers and were symbolic of a woman’s rare beauty.
Various cultures in Asia also regarded it as culturally important. For Japanese culture, the orchids were a symbol of respect and admiration. Meanwhile in ancient China, orchids are regarded as the scent of kings because of their sweet and pleasant fragrance.
Many Chinese folks admire this flower as a sign of nobility and a lasting friendship built on sincerity. The socially elite give these flowers for those reasons! True friendship is like the sweet fragrance of an orchid – timely prevailing with its charm and grace.
What is the Biblical Meaning of an Orchid Blossom?
According to the Christian faith, a Dove orchid is the floral embodiment of the Holy Trinity. In some biblical texts, the Dove orchid also symbolized the white dove that appeared during the Great Flood and Jesus’ baptism.
It sends the meaning of hope, guidance, and a new fresh start.
What is the Spiritual Influence of an Orchid Bloom?
As you would have guessed, an orchid offers the spiritual influence of strong sexual energies. It helps and spiritually heals sexual harmony by awakening a deep level of consciousness in sexuality.
Meanwhile, the Dancing Lady orchids also offer a spiritual influence in guiding you to make peace with your past. To make peace with the past, these flowers promote the release of these burdening feelings of numbness and degeneration.
The floral essence of an orchid allows the spinal energy to activate and create a consistent flow to all areas of the body. Once this has been achieved, a naturally high-energy level environment is available.
What is the Folktale Associated with an Orchid Floret?
Simply because of its charm and beauty, a few enchanting folktales and myths are associated with Orchids. In some tales, carrying on you a Cyprideduym orchid will serve as an amulet and will provide you personal protection.
The purple orchids also have some magic to them. Folklore witches used the flower’s roots to create various potions of enchantment. Carrying these flowers was also said to attract love when sewn onto a small velvet pouch!
In ancient Greece, it was said that Greek women believed that when their husbands ate large, new orchid tubers, the baby born would be a boy and if it were small tubers, it would be a girl. New parents loved this tradition in order to have the baby genders they choose.
What does an Orchid Floral Tattoo Symbolize?
When thinking about a floral tattoo design, you would always go for one that best reflects who you are – inside and out! So, choosing an Orchid for a tattoo design symbolizes good taste and refinement. Not only that but it is also a display of womanly fertility and strength as well as her rare beauty!
Uses of Orchid Plants
Orchids are very prized horticultural flowers for indoor pots and gardens. They are one of the most popular cut flowers and are gifted during many occasions such as baby showers and a wedding anniversary.
In fact there are special offers online for the first order of orchids you purchase. Many flower shops advertise these flowers as a popular gift for housewarmings or an excellent gift to a loved one. It can be gifted on almost any special occasion. In a new bundle of flowers, orchids combined with other plants make excellent gifts that symbolize good fortune and good health.
These flowers are not only well-known ornamentals but also an important source of Vanilla – one of the world’s most delectable and prized spices. The ancient Aztecs were the first to discover and use the Vanilla pods of these flowers.
It is a popular culinary custom in Malaysian to use Jewel orchids as fresh vegetables and the Dendrobium orchids leaves as a spice cooked in rice.
In terms of folkloric medicine, the traditional Chinese during the time of Confucius were the first to use the orchids as a herbal remedy. For example, the Dancing Lady orchids infused into tea were historically used to treat skin rashes and arthritis pain.
The West Indies also commonly used another species of orchid – the sharp-petaled Bletia boiled into a tea to treat common fish poisoning. A word of warning that it’s a must to always consult a medical professional before using this plant or any part of it for medical purposes.
~ image source: depositphotos/urf
