November Birth Flower, Mothers Day Traditions, fun “mum” facts and more!
Chrysanthemums, or “mums” as they’re commonly called, are brilliant flowers filled with rich history, and gracing us with beautiful colors and unique design. Revered by cultures like China and Japan since as early as the 15th century B.C. (1), these unique flowers have much mystery and magic to be explored.
Origins, Historical significance, and meanings around the world.
As far back as 15th Century B.C. China has been using Chrysanthemums as a medicinal flowering herb.
They believed it had the power of life, and they used every part of the plant: Flowers and sprouts for salads and food dishes, boiled root tea for headaches, and even using the boiled leaves as a festive tea.
Around the 8th Century B.C, the plant and its many uses spread to Japan, and the rest of the world is not far to follow. By 1753 it made its way to the western world via Karl Linnaeus, renowned Swedish botanist. Since then it has boomed in popularity in the western world and became known as the “Queen of the Fall Flowers.”
The flower holds different meanings to different cultures.
In western and American culture, the flower is celebrated and seen as a positive force, a popular addition to events like football games, house-warming presents, get-well thoughts.
In Asian cultures it’s seen as a sacred plant, a life giving flower, often worshiped and used in ceremonial events and foods and medicines.
Buddhism says that chrysanthemums emit Yang energy (active energy). It is even believed to prevent grey hair!
In contrast, in many European countries the chrysanthemum is known as the death flower. In countries like Belgium and Austria, the chrysanthemum is used almost exclusively as a memorial on graves.
November Birth Flower
The Chrysanthemum is known as the “queen of the fall flowers” due to being one of the only flowers that bloom in the fall time. Beautiful and unique, these flowers garner a lot of attention from all directions.
For this reason, among others, it has been dubbed the official November birth month flower.
The November birth flower means friendship, honesty and loyalty. It’s also believed that having a bouquet of chrysanthemums will bring joy and good luck into your home.
If you know someone with a birthday in november, a floral arrangement featuring chrysanthemums would be a perfect and thoughtful gift.
Colors!
The Chrysanthemum got it’s name from the Greek word ‘chrys’ which means gold and ‘anthemon’ which means flowers.
The original color of the chrysanthemum was golden, but through cultivation, the flower now comes in a range of colors—yellow, orange, white, purple, pink, and red.
Fun Facts About Chrysanthemums
- Chrysanthemums are one of the most popular flowers in the world, rivaled only by the rose.
- It’s the official flower of the Japanese emperor, appearing on the crest and seal.
- Japan even celebrates a chrysanthemum day every year, calling it the festival of happiness!
- There is a variety of mum called the “spray chrysanthemum” that has more than one blooming head, bred to be similar to the Mini spray roses bred in the 15th century.
- Fruit of chrysanthemum is called ribbed achene.
- Chrysanthemum is the official flower of Chicago.
- Chrysanthemums are considered as the traditional flowers to be given on Mother’s Day in Australia.
- Chrysanthemums are also the official flower to celebrate 13th wedding anniversaries.
