Updated November 8th, 2022, by Andrew Gaumond
Daisies have bright, sunny faces and symbolism associated with cheerfulness, warmth, and joy. Along with tulips and daffodils, these flowers are ambassadors for springtime and all the themes connected to the season of rebirth and renewal. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about daisy flower meaning and rich symbolism, with information on the daisy’s history and origins, as well as their cultural significance around the world today.
Daisy Flower Meaning – The Essentials
In the language of flowers, daisies symbolize new beginnings and rebirth, in addition to love, cheerfulness, beauty, purity, innocence, hope, fun, and affection. They’re also commonly given to new mothers as a symbol of childbirth and motherhood. In spirituality, daisies represent faith and eternal life.
About Daisy Flowers
Family, Genus, and Taxonomy
The daisy family Asteraceae contains more than 32,000 species of plants in 1,900 genera. Members of the family are commonly called daisies, asters, or sunflowers.
The species of daisy most frequently associated with the common name ‘daisy’ is the common European daisy (Bellis perennis). This species of daisy features easily recognizable flat-faced flowers with white petals and yellow centers.
Botanical Characteristics
Plants in the daisy family are most recognizable due to the notable shape of their inflorescence and flower heads which feature star, disc, or ray-shaped arrangements of petals and bracts.
Popular Types of Daisies
With thousands of different types of daisies, the flower family offers plenty of variety. Some of the most popular daisies include:
- Common European Daisy (Bellis perennis)
- Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera)
- Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
- Gloriosa Daisy or Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
Etymological Meaning
The family name Asteraceae comes from the Latin word aster, which means star.
The common name daisy comes from the Old English daeges eage, which means day’s eye. This refers to the daisy’s tendency to open in the morning and close at night.
Native Region
Daisies have native habitats spread across the globe. They grow naturally in climates that range from tropical to subpolar and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
When Are Daisies in Season?
Daisies start blooming in late spring and continue through early fall.
Uses & Benefits of Daisy Flowers
Herbalism, Medicine, and Food
Herbalists have used many daisy flowers for their medicinal properties, such as chamomile, echinacea, calendula, yarrow, and gumweed. Calendula is also a common ingredient in moisturizing skincare products.
The daisy family also features some important crops like lettuce, sunflowers, and artichokes.
Attracting Pollinators
Several species of daisies produce a high amount of nectar, making them attractive to pollinators. You can expect the garden favorites, bees, and butterflies, as well as a host of other pollinators in your daisy patch.
Ornamental Value
Daisies are perhaps most popularly used for their ornamental value. They’re one of the most popular cut flowers to include in floral arrangements and are also commonly planted in home gardens.
Are Daisies Toxic to Humans or Pets?
Daisy toxicity depends on the species in question. Some flowers from the daisy family are toxic to humans and pets, while others are not.
When planting daisies in your garden or displaying them in a bouquet in your house, you should research the toxicity of the specific species in question or simply keep them away from pets and small children to be safe.
The Meaning, Symbolism, & Cultural Significance of Daisy Flowers
The Symbolic Meaning of Common Daisy Colors
Broadly, daisies represent rebirth, new beginnings, and hope. Their symbolic meanings, however, shift depending on the type of daisy and its color.
These common daisy colors have the following symbolic meanings:
White Daisy Flower Meaning
Snowy-white daisies represent purity and innocence.
Yellow Daisy Flower Meaning
Yellow daisies are strongly associated with cheerfulness, friendship, joy, and wishing someone well or “get well”.
Blue Daisy Flower Meaning
Although not a common color, blue daisies symbolize long-lasting trust, honesty, and loyalty.
Purple Daisy Flower Meaning
The color purple is connected to feminine beauty, pride, elegance, and royalty or regalness.
Pink Daisy Flower Meaning
Like other pink flowers, pink daisies symbolize gentle admiration, affection, or adoration.
Red Daisy Flower Meaning
Red daisies represent romantic love.
Orange Daisy Flower Meaning
Orange daisies symbolize passion, excitement, sunshine, and happiness.
Daisy Flower Origin Stories
According to a Roman myth, the nymph Belides is responsible for the creation of daisies. In the story, Belides transforms herself into a daisy to escape the unwanted affections of Vertumnus, the god of gardens and seasons.
This story is where the common English daisy gets its scientific name, Bellis. The myth is also why daisies sometimes represent chastity and purity while also being associated with transformation or rebirth.
Daisies in Ancient History, Myths, and Folklore
One of the earliest associations of daisies with childbirth comes from the ancient Celtic people. Although it’s darker than the symbolism of motherhood and childbirth attributed to daisies today, the ancient Celts believed that when a child or infant died – especially in childbirth – the gods would cover their graves with daisies in an attempt to console those who were grieving the loss.
Another early association of daisies with childbirth comes from Norse mythology. The daisy flower is associated with the goddess Freya who is a goddess of fertility, love, and beauty.
Daisies in the Victorian Era
The Victorian Flower Language, or floriography, was a popular form of communication during the Victorian era. It assigned specific meanings to specific flowers, and people used them to communicate with one another through their assigned meanings.
During this time, the daisy officially symbolized loyal love, innocence, and the ability to keep a secret. One could literally translate a daisy’s presence in a bouquet to the phrase, “I’ll never tell.”
Daisies in Religion and Spirituality
In spirituality, daisies represent faith and eternal life. As a symbol of rebirth, they’re also associated with reincarnation. They symbolize the ability to be forgiven for past mistakes and begin again, renewed.
In Christianity, daisies are closely associated with the Virgin Mary, representing motherhood, innocence, chastity, purity, and humility.
Daisies in Art and Literature
Daisies blossom everywhere in art and literature. Their cheerful faces pop up in paintings from artists around the world. Literary greats, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, have given the flower’s name to their heroines too.
Gifting Occasions for Daisy Flowers
There are several appropriate occasions for giving daisies as a gift. They’re the birth flower of April, making them a perfect gift for celebrating an April birthday. Gerbera daisies are the official flower for the fifth anniversary.
With their symbolic meaning of hope, rebirth, and renewal, they’re also an excellent flower for Easter bouquets, springtime celebrations, and get-well flower arrangements. Bring a bouquet of daisies as a host or hostess gift to any springtime gathering.
Daisies are also traditionally gifted to new mothers as they symbolize childbirth and motherhood. This makes them appropriate for congratulating new mothers and also as a gift for celebrating the maternal figures in your life on Mother’s Day.
Daisy Flower Meaning FAQs:
What does a daisy flower symbolize?
Daisy flowers symbolize new beginnings and rebirth, in addition to love, cheerfulness, beauty, purity, innocence, hope, fun, and affection. They’re also given to new mothers as a symbol of childbirth and motherhood.
What do daisies symbolize spiritually?
In spirituality, daisies represent faith and eternal life. As a symbol of rebirth, they’re also associated with reincarnation. They symbolize the ability to be forgiven for past mistakes and begin again, renewed.
Are daisy flowers lucky?
Daisy flowers have several meanings associated with hope and happiness, making them a flower of good luck, too.
Do daisies come back every year?
Some species of daisies are annuals that grow only one season, and others are biennials and perennials that come back either for a few years or every year.
How long do daisy flowers last?
In a garden, daisies stay in bloom for four to six weeks. Cut daisies can last for five to seven days in a vase with fresh water.
Do daisies flower more than once?
Typically, daisies bloom only one time during a season. Dead-heading spent blossoms can encourage a second flowering, but these flowers usually aren’t too impressive.
Daisy Flower Meaning – The Final Word
It’s not surprising that daisies are one of the world’s favorite flowers. The common daisy is rich in meaning and symbolism, with ancestral links dating back through the centuries. There’s nothing quite like the renewed spirit of hope that early-blooming daisies can bring to a garden in spring or to a flower bouquet in the dead of winter.
Petal Republic’s Flower and Plant Guides:
Explore the world of flowers and plant life with Petal Republic’s comprehensive guides to Roses, Cardinal Flowers, Cypress Vine Flowers, Kalmia, Oleander, Acacia, Chamomile, Cowslip, Dandelion, Auricula, Ambrosia, Lesser Celandine, Lilies, Irises, Tulips, Orchids, Carnations, Gerbera Daisies, Gladiolus, Clovers, Borage, and Peonies.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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