Greek mythology consists of hundreds of different characters, including gods, goddesses, nymphs, and mortals. These characters weave together to create thousands of stories that explain much of the current world. Some of these stories relate to the emergence of and meaning behind ancient Greek flowers.
Learning about the myths and legends behind these blooms can make them even more interesting. So keep reading to learn about some of the most important Greek mythology flowers.
Narcissus
This genus of plants contains popular flowers like daffodils and jonquils. The name Narcissus also refers to a hunter in Greek mythology. Narcissus was loved by everyone, regardless of their gender. Despite his many suitors, he remained uninterested in others and eventually fell in love with his reflection in a pond. Since he couldn’t be with his reflection, he killed himself. After Narcissus died, the flower of the same name emerged in his place.
Acropolis Whitweed
Credit Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Micromeria_graeca_3.jpg
Small plants with delicate pink blooms, these Greek flowers are only found near the Acropolis near Athens. Many people think this plant has grown in the area for thousands of years, all the way back to Ancient Greece.
Poppy
You probably know poppies for their delicate petals and thin stems. And perhaps you know of the opiate poppy’s ability to relieve pain. But these flowers also hold multiple meanings in Greek mythology.
They’re related to sleep and dreams. The god of dreams, Morpheus, was said to have slept in a cave full of these flowers. This explains how the opiate morphine got its name.
Gallic Rose
Credit Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_Rosa_gallica_Romania.jpg
This shrubby rose has thorns and simple pink flowers. It was one of the first roses to be cultivated in Europe and gave way to important rose cultivars.
The rose is associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. That’s one reason why people often give others roses to show their affection and romantic attraction. Legend has it that red roses emerged when Aphrodite learned of a murder plot against her lover Adonis. When she learned he was in danger, she rushed through thorny rose bushes, and her blood turned the flowers red. That’s why red roses are often associated with romantic and passionate love.
Iris
The iris is well-known for its tall flowers. But this word also refers to the Greek goddess with the same name. She was said to be the goddess form of the rainbow and acted as a messenger for the gods.
Violet
The small, purple flowers of the violet play an important role in the life of Iamus, son of Apollo and Euadne. Aepytus of Arcadia raised Euadne, and when she became pregnant, Aepytus became upset. After Euadne gave birth to her son, she abandoned him in a field of violets out of distress. When Aepytus learned that Apollo was the father, he sent Euadne to fetch her son. She discovered the baby in a field of violets and named him Iamus after the word íov.
Monkshood
Also known as wolf’s-bane or aconite, this perennial has deep purplish-blue flowers. Both the plant’s leaves and roots are extremely toxic, and people in ancient Greece used them as a poison. The name wolf’s-bane refers to the fact that hunters put the poison on their arrows when hunting the wild canines.
This plant is related to Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld. King Eurystheus instructed Herakles/Hercules to complete 12 labors in service to him. The final labor was capturing Cerberus and bringing him back to the king. During this task, the dog dripped drool onto the ground and monkshood emerged.
Anemone
Also known as the windflower, the anemone is a delicate red flower with thin petals. The small seeds are carried by the wind, hence the name windflower. According to Greek mythology, the anemone flower appeared during the death of Adonis. After Adonis, the lover of Aphrodite, was slain by a wild boar, a red anemone appeared where his blood hit the ground.
Chaste Tree
The chaste tree is a large shrub or small tree covered in purple flowers. It’s native to the Mediterranean region and associated with numerous ancient Greek characters, including Hera and Demeter. Legend has it that Hera was born under a chaste tree.
The chaste tree also plays an important role in the festival of Thesmophoria, which honored Demeter, the goddess of harvest and agriculture, and her daughter Persephone. During the festival, maidens covered their beds with chaste tree branches.
Saffron Crocus
Special crocuses that yield the fragrant saffron spice, these Greek flowers are involved in a few stories. The first relates to a mortal boy named Crocus who was in love with Hermes. When the two were out playing discus, Hermes threw a discus into the boy’s head and killed him. The boy’s blood dripped into the soil, and a crocus flower emerged in his place.
Bear’s Breeches
Credit Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acanthus_mollis_syn._Acanthus_niger_plant.jpg
This clumping perennial produces vibrant green leaves and tall flower spikes covered with light purple blooms. Legend has it that the plant was a favorite of Hercules. The creation of bear’s breeches relates to the nymph Acantha. Apollo was in love with Acantha, but she resisted his advances. In return, she was punished and turned into this plant.
Larkspur
A beloved cut flower, larkspur forms tall stalks covered with five-petaled blooms. It’s also one of the important Greek mythology flowers. Legend says that when the warrior Achilles died, both Ajax and Ulysses wanted his armor. After Ulysses was awarded the armor, Ajax threw himself upon his sword. A larkspur plant emerged from the place where his blood hit the ground.
Hellebore
Also known as the lenten rose, hellebore is one of the first flowers to emerge each spring. Although the plant is toxic, ancient Greeks used it to cure mental illnesses. One myth says that the daughters of King Proitos were driven insane and found wandering in the mountains. The healer Melampos found them and treated them with hellebore.
Poison Hemlock
An unassuming plant, poison hemlock has fern-like leaves and umbles of small, white flowers. Although this plant doesn’t look intimidating, it’s extremely toxic. Eating just a handful of leaves or seeds can kill an adult human. Greeks took note of this toxicity and used it to poison prisoners. Some victims of this toxic plant include Socrates, Phocion, and Theramenes.
Lily
According to Greek mythology, the lily is closely associated with Hera, the wife of Zeus. When Zeus had an affair with a mortal, his son Hercules was born. Zeus knew that Hera’s breast milk was the best for raising children, so he put Hera to sleep and allowed Hercules to nurse. When Hera woke up, she flung Zeus away, spraying milk across the sky. When the milk landed on Earth, lilies emerged in its place.
Learn More About the Meaning of Flowers
While the aforementioned Greek mythology flowers are important to history, each culture has significant flowers. Some flowers help you send certain messages and others are important to specific cultures. For example, you can find Japanese flowers and Mexican flowers that are important to their respective cultures. No matter which type of flowers you’re interested in, we can help you find what you’re looking for. Just head over to our store and order flowers online!
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