Every zodiac sign has a birth flower, and Aquarius is no exception. Those born between January 20 and February 18 can call the orchid their own. With beautiful flowers and an interesting growth form, this Aquarius birth flower fits right in with these peoples’ unique and independent personalities.
But just like there’s more to Aquarians than their independence and intellectualism, orchids are more than just pretty flowers. These plants carry rich symbolism, and orchid varieties as diverse as the Aquarians they represent. Whether you’re looking for the perfect birthday gift for your Aquarius loved one or want to know more about the connection between these plants and people, we’ve got you covered.
Aquarius Birth Flower: The Orchid
You’ve probably seen orchids in stores and maybe even have one growing at home. And while all of these flowering plants have similar characteristics, it’s important to recognize that they’re part of a huge family! If you think you have more cousins than you can count, take note that the orchid family, Orchidaceae, contains more than 28,000 species! And this large size means that they comprise more than 5% of all seed-producing plants.
Despite this large number of species, all orchids share a few characteristics. They are vegetative plants that never form any woody stems, and they all produce flowers with three petals and three sepals. Some orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants or rocks rather than in soil—this is what allows orchids to thrive high off the ground in forest canopies. However, other orchid species happily thrive in moist soil.
Orchid Meaning and Symbolism
An orchid’s meaning varies between cultures, and the flower color can also impact symbolism. In general, the Aquarius birth flower is a symbol of mystery, elegance, royalty, and fertility.
In China, the orchid is known as one of the four gentlemen along with the plum, chrysanthemum, and bamboo. Together, these plants represent traditional values like humility and perseverance, and they’re often seen in paintings and other art pieces. Each plant represents a season, with the orchid symbolizing spring.
Japanese culture views orchids as symbols of elegance, refinement, and power. And this makes sense when you look at the beautiful blooms and stately form of the Aquarius zodiac flower. People in Japan also sometimes used the orchid tosymbolize the royal family or power in general.
Greeks link orchids to fertility and birth. The word orchid comes from the Greek word orchis which means testicle or ovary, which explains the the symbolism.
Popular Orchid Varieties
As mentioned above, there are thousands upon thousands of orchid species. And there are even more unique varieties within some of these species. Talk about a lot of options to choose from! While the choices can be overwhelming, they also mean that there’s an Aquarius birth flower for everyone with this zodiac sign.
Many people think of orchids as popular tropical houseplants, but there are also native orchids popping up in forests in the Eastern United States and mountains in California. That means you can find orchids to add to your home or office as well as species to jazz up your garden.
Types of Indoor Orchids
- Cambria orchids: These orchids are a hybrid of three other orchid species. While they’re not grown in the wild, houseplant lovers delight in their beautiful flowers and ability to tolerate a range of temperatures.
- Moth orchids: Moth orchids belong to the Phalaenopsis genus, and they’re likely the orchids you see in the floral department of grocery stores and on hardware store shelves. Their large, rounded petals and sepals deserve double-takes, and their easy-to-care-for nature makes them popular choices for new orchid owners. They love warm temperatures and lots of humidity.
- Butterfly orchids: Although they’re just starting to increase in popularity, butterfly orchids’ ruffled texture and spotted coloration makes them stand out in orchid collections. All of these flattering flowers belong in the Psychopsis genus.
- Vanda orchids: Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Vanda orchids have large, colorful petals that create long-lasting flowers. They love lots of humidity and warm temperatures.
- Cymbidium orchids: Also known as boat orchids, these plants produce flower spikes that can contain upwards of 20 blooms! They prefer temperatures on the cooler side.
Types of Orchids Native to the United States
- Pink lady’s slipper: Native to the Eastern US, this orchid (Cypripedium acaule) has pink flowers with unique large pouches near their bottoms.
- Showy orchid: With purple and white flowers, the showy orchid (Galearis spectabilis) is a showstopper in forests in the Eastern US.
- Calypso orchid: Found throughout Northern and Western North America, the calypso orchid (Calypso bulbosa) has pink and yellow flowers that appear in the spring.
Orchid Fun Facts
There’s no mistaking that orchids are gorgeous, but have you ever thought about the reason behind they’re beauty? It’s true that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, but the human eye is often drawn to (and enamored by) symmetry. All orchid flowers are symmetrical, which may be one reason why we find ourselves attracted to these flowers.
Not only are these flowers beautiful, but many of them are long-lasting. Many plant produce flowers that last for a few hours to a few days, but individual orchid blooms often stay fresh for multiple months!
And orchids aren’t just a thing of beauty! While many people think orchids are synonymous with colorful flowers that brighten homes, this family of plants has other uses. One of the world’s most popular flavorings, vanilla, actually comes from orchid plants! Only one type of climbing orchid (Vanilla planifolia) produces the seed pods known as vanilla beans. That helps explain why real vanilla extract is quite expensive.
Alternative Aquarius Birth Flowers
The orchid is the most common Aquarius zodiac flower, but it’s not the only option. Some people also consider the snowdrop and viola appropriate options for this zodiac sign. That’s because the snowdrop is one of the January birth flowers and the viola represents those born in February.
While these flowers are three popular options for Aquarians, you don’t have to limit gift-giving to these blooms. Picking out an Aquarius’s favorite blooms is a fail-proof option for a birthday flower delivery.
Learn More About Zodiac Flowers
Now that you know the January zodiac flower, it’s time to move onto the other signs. We’ve created a piece on flowers for every zodiac sign, so you can find the perfect blooms for the Libras, Cancers, and Geminis in your life.
Once you’re up to date on your astrological florals, turn your attention to finding the best blooms for your people. At The Bouqs Co., we source our flowers from sustainable farms, which means that you receive superbly fresh flowers all while showing the Earth some love. And with birthday flowers, bouquet subscriptions services, and more available online, you can find the perfect flowers for every zodiac sign and every occasion.
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