Sunflower seeds were a common theme in the Chinese Communist Party's political propaganda during Ai's childhood. Well, the meaning has its origin in many places, with different parts of the world associating it with different things. For this reason, they are the best gifts for summer weddings, and could indicate a blessing as the couple starts a new life together. The yellow color is thought to denote intelligence as well as a vital spirit. Black is mysterious and can be rare but with years of cross-pollination, it exists. Lotus (荷花) The lotus flower has been favored by Chinese for hundreds of years. With that said, flowers are very special for many occasions in Chinese culture. It make sunflowers a great gift for someone starting a new business or graduating from School or university. They also enjoy life in its fullness. White symbolizes peace, rebirth and purity. Adding graphics at the center of the flower or choosing to transform the petals into another familiar design also helps in personalizing the tattoo and making it unique. In fact, the plant was such an important part of their life such that they always put its seeds on top of graves. Anyone who enjoys beautiful tattoos will love sunflower tattoos. Conversations helps with deeper undestanding. The sunflower stands for longevity because the plant has full bloom phase for months and can withstand even the hottest of weather. There has been no scientific evidence to back the medicinal benefits of sunflowers in chest pains or kidney disease and, it is now primarily used for agricultural purposes now. It’s yellow color signifies vitality and intelligence. Knowing the symbolic meaning of a plant will lead to understanding the hidden message. As already stated,the meaning of sunflowers differ and vary depending on the place. Sunflowers are native primarily to North and South America, and some species are cultivated as ornamentals for their spectacular size and flower heads. The production has been attributed to be the most costly artwork in Chinese and Western culture. Consider sending a bouquet to someone you admire and hold in high esteem. The meaning of a sunflower in red is vitality, passion, lust and energy. For mixed arrangements, you can go for a mix with a small flower tattoo, like a dandelion, daisy or rose, which you then mix with the bright yellow or red sunflowers to add contrast and make the tattoo more interesting. Choosing a black flower may mean that you swear your allegiance to whoever you give it to. Having been linked to royalty and mystic powers, it is expected that this flower would symbolize splendor, majesty, glory, and wealth. We discovered that simple cultural differences in giving flowers can make all the difference. Congrads on your Squidoo level 60. Using its oil for your cooking can also go a long way. The softness of this colour is a sign of unconditional love, patience, innocence and peace. Flowers, fruits, and trees are representations for various aspects of life. Clytie fell in love with the Sun God named Apollo. The plant may be native to North America, but it has spread across the world through export. Also in China, the sunflower was considered a symbol of long life, and was eaten by royalty to insure immortality. Ai Weiwei’s Sunflower Seeds is an installation made up of 100 million hand-painted porcelain “sunflower seeds”. ... Vincent wanted to combine two versions of the Sunflowers with Woman Rocking the Cradle, the portrait that he made as an homage to the comforting mother figure. Chinese Culture; Flower Guide & Tips; Holiday Gift; Send Flowers to China; Sunflower Care & Instructions. The colours used in the tattoos as well as the sunflower's presentation have the ability to alter the symbolism of a sunflower tattoo. She became depressed as a result of the one-sided love. The sunflower symbolizes many things historically, spiritually and even culturally. The Chinese authorities have reportedly refused Perry a visa to perform at a forthcoming ... She wore a glittery dress with sunflowers all over it. The seeds have positive health properties when eaten, especially for people who need to recover from ailments. Thanks. It took Clytie a long while to realize that Apollo had no interest in her. Throughout history, cultures all over the world have used flowers as a form of unspoken communication. It is also their good luck charm for the new beginnings. However, what does sunflower mean etymologically? The ancient Greeks believed that sunflowers turned towards the sun because of the nymph Clytie's adoration of Apollo, the God of the Sun. They make excellent gifts for friends and family who are starting new things including school and businesses. lessons are accessible online enabling parents to learn the language with their children. Undoubtedly, sunflowers radiate pure joy with their tall stalks and giant heads, especially when they are adorned with lush yellow petals. The lotus flower … Sunflower Care & Instructions. The Victorian flower language believes the flower to be a gesture to show gratitude and bring good luck to the recipient especially when they are starting afresh. Unfortunately, Apollo was interested in someone else, hence did not look in Clytie's way. In Asia, presenting flowers as a gift, ideally red ones, for luck, is appreciated but never a potted plant, as this signifies being bound or constricted. . The red colour varies in intensity from bright red to deeper shades of the same. You can use diverse and meaningful images such as flames, feathers, or leaves. Article about Chinese Symbolism of Plants in Glossary of Chinese New Year and Chinese culture, customs and traditions. They are available in different colours including yellow, orange, purple, and even pink, all of which have different meanings as described below. From the flower's colour meanings to stories and myths that revolve around the bloom, people associate it with a lot of good tidings, warmth and luck. Discover the secret meanings behind these nine blossoms in the Japanese language of flowers. The wild variety has been superseded by the modern breeds mainly for enhanced petal size and seed count. Altogether, the seeds weigh about 10 tons, and can be configured in two ways. Choosing to go for rich orange will capture the idea of enthusiasm, encouragement, or success. Most varieties are heat and drought-resistant, which makes them easy to grow. Sunflower meaning in various cultures runs counter to the idea of a short-lived annual. Sunflower features prominently in the paintings of master impressionist Van Gogh. Sunflower gets its name due to its affinity towards the sun and the way it turns itself to face the sun. Muslims visit church to celebrate Christmas with Christians (photo), Rare family picture of Tiwa Savage, ex-hubby Teebillz and their son Jamil in Dubai, Video: Check out what Saraki did on Christmas day, many politicians may be jealous, Smart Nigerian kid gets 9 A's in WAEC exams, passes IELTS, SAT in flying colours, says she needs scholarship (photos), BBNaija’s Dorathy shows off beautiful family in Christmas photos, This allegation against Buhari will annoy APC and the presidency (Read what Kukah said), BREAKING: Tears as prominent Nigerian monarch dies after illness (photo), After man 'bought' a house, he proposes to his girlfriend in front of it with style, the lady's reactions got people talking (photos), Fascinating details about Pom Klementieff: Her personal and professional life. According to an ancient Christian belief, sunflower reflects God’s love and stands for unwavering faith in Him. To avoid any problems when giving florals in Chinese culture, follow these simple tips. Meaning in Chinese Culture. It’s believed that sunflowers are the ideal bloom to fill a home with a sense of safety and good fortune. On finding out, Apollo hated Clytie which made her to waste away in misery before she turned into a beautiful yellow flower. It is a native to Central and South America, but it is widely available as well as cultivated throughout the world now. However, this flower has lots of meanings, varying from one culture to another and depending on the context. There are different versions that describe the origin of the plant. This also brings us to its symbolism, which is loyalty and admiration. It’s what the sunflowers do. Sunflower seeds, he said, had a particular significance in recent Chinese culture and history. How the sunflower tattoo is presented matters. According to the Greek, there existed a Greek water nymph by the name Clytie. In Chinese culture, sunflowers are said to mean good luck and lasting happiness which is why they are often given at graduations and at the start of a new business. To Native American tribes, sunflowers can represent harvest and provision as sunflowers are used as a food source, pigment, and for the oil. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. To Native American groups, sunflowers represented harvest, bounty, and provision because they provided seeds, pigment, and more. While the origin of the Greek story is sad, it ended in a beautiful transformation that is still witnessed today. We asked our e-Tutors to share with us some traditions for giving flowers in their culture to see what differences we could find. The Chinese consider the flowers as a symbol of longevity and it was consumed by the royal family to enhance their lifespan. Currently, it is one of the major oil crops for the USA and in international markets. The belief that sunflowers bring good luck mainly originate from the Chinese. It can be a single flower or can be clusters arranged together in a bouquet. You can always incorporate the sunflower's special meaning in your tattoo. You are also likely to come across a velvet burgundy. Bigger sunflowers can represent fidelity, while a tiny chain of sunflowers can symbolize worship. What season do sunflowers represent? What is more, these flowers will last longer in a vase than most varieties would. The above descriptions give a general meaning of the sunflower. This includes flowers. students take part in the National Chinese Short Film Contest, Song and Story-telling Competitions. He attracts and follows. Yellow represents life and vitality while red represents your ambitions and passion in life's pursuits. If you have no idea which gift to give on such events, consider a bouquet of different colours. This was a major part of their religious beliefs back then. –, Light-enchanted sunflower, thou/ Who gazest ever true and tender/ On the sun’s revolving splendour. Sunflower symbolism is unique as it captures different things. This is … She ended up not eating nor drinking anything as she just stared at Apollo. 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