Gerbera Daisy Meaning and Symbolism in the Langauge of Flowers

Gerbera daisies are a hugely popular gifting flower, rich in positive sentiments and symbolic meanings. These cheery blooms are best known for their alluring and colorful daisy-like flowers, long vase life, and sweet, subtle fragrance. Join me as I explore the meaning and symbolism of gerbera daisies in the language of flowers.

History and Origins

Originating from South Africa, botanist Robert Jameson discovered gerbera daisies in the late 19th century, while the flower bears the name of German botanist Traugott Gerber. Their introduction to the botanical world marked the beginning of their global journey, eventually becoming a staple in gardens and floral arrangements worldwide.

The Official Birth Month Flower for April

Gerbera daisies are often associated with being the birth month flower of April, alongside the sweet pea. Gerbera daisies, known for their bright and cheerful blooms, symbolize innocence, purity, and cheerfulness, making them a fitting choice for April’s birth flower. Their wide range of vibrant colors and large, sun-like flowers convey joy and happiness, which align well with the spring season that April falls in for the northern hemisphere.

The tradition of birth month flowers originates from the Roman era, where specific flowers were gifted to individuals during their birth month as a form of celebration and good wishes. Over time, each month has come to be represented by one or more flowers, each carrying its own unique symbolism and meaning.

For those born in April, giving or receiving gerbera daisies can be seen as a gesture of affection and a wish for happiness and well-being. The flower’s bright appearance and positive symbolism make it an ideal gift to celebrate April birthdays, offering a burst of color and joy reflecting spring’s renewal and growth.

Gerbera Daisies in Egypt

Ancient Egyptian culture deeply revered the sun, embodied in their worship of the sun god Ra (or Re). The sun was central to their understanding of the cosmos, life cycles, and the afterlife, symbolizing creation, rebirth, and the eternal cycle of day and night.

The gerbera daisy, with its large, vibrant blooms that resemble the sun, could be seen as a symbol of the sun’s energy and life-giving qualities in a more general sense.

Gerbera Daisies in Floriography

In the language of flowers, a Victorian tradition that assigns meanings to flowers to convey messages, gerbera daisies are often used to express admiration, gratitude, and deep affection.

The wide array of colors available, from yellows and oranges to pinks and reds, allows for nuanced expressions depending on the hue chosen. For instance, a red gerbera might signify love and passion, while a pink gerbera could denote admiration and sympathy.

Generally, as with the other ornamentals in the daisy family, gerberas are believed to symbolize beauty, innocence, and purity. 

Gerbera Daisy Colors and Their Meanings

Gerbera daisies are further associated with cheerfulness primarily because of the myriad of colors they offer. Nevertheless, different gerbera flower colors hold different meanings and symbolism.

Pink Gerbera Daisies

Pink flowers, in general, symbolize grace, admiration, and sympathy – and the same goes for pink daisies. In particular, light pink gerberas signify respect, admiration, and compassion. On the other hand, darker hues of pink gerberas are often a symbol of gratitude. 

Because of these meanings, a bouquet of pink gerbera daisy flowers is an ideal gift to send a “Get Well Soon” message. These lovely blooms are also your best bet when you want to express thanks after a nice date with someone special. They are also the flowers you turn to when you want to express admiration or love in a more playful or flirty way. 

Red Gerbera Daisies

Perhaps there is no other flower color that expresses romance and passion better than red flowers. An example of this is a red gerbera daisy flower – a known symbol of romantic love and passion and a perfect romantic gift to express such feelings to your other half. 

You don’t have to wait for Valentine’s Day or any other special occasion to give your loved one a red gerbera daisy flower arrangement. Convey romance and love with stunning red gerbera flowers any day, any time. 

Red gerbera flowers are also an ideal birthday gift flower. Often, these beautiful, deep red or vivid red gerberas are given by a husband to his wife on her special day. 

White Gerbera Daisies

White gerbera daisy flowers represent purity and innocence, like most white flower meanings. Because of their irresistible charm that exudes elegance, these gerberas are often used at weddings and baptismal occasions. They are also used as gifting flowers for newlyweds and are the official 5th Wedding Anniversary Flowers. 

Also, white gerberas make a great gift to tell someone that you find him or her loyal, thoughtful, and pure of love. Since white gerberas symbolize a child’s innocence and pure love, they are ideal for parents to give their children. 

White gerberas are an ideal flower to wish someone good health. A single long-stem white gerbera or a bouquet of all-white gerberas is suitable as a get-well-soon gifting flower.  

Orange Gerbera Daisies

Orange gerberas represent happiness, joy, friendship, and warmth, which make these alluring blooms the perfect gift flower for your friends and colleagues. Send a bouquet of orange gerbera daisies to make someone’s day brighter or as a pick-me-upper. 

Yellow Gerbera Daisies

One of the many colors of gerberas is yellow. Like orange gerbera flowers, sunny yellow-colored ones symbolize friendship and happiness. 

Are you thinking about letting a friend know that you value your friendship? Then, this bright color is one way to do that. Further, a bunch of yellow gerberas is a sure way to turn a gloomy day around. You can also send them to someone recovering from an illness to cheer them up. 

Purple Gerbera Daisies

Purple gerbera flowers exude elegance and royalty. They signify pride, grace, fascination, and charm. For some, purple or lavender gerberas also represent romance, like pink and red ones. 

A bouquet of purple gerbera daisies is a unique gift choice for that special someone, whether for a birthday or anniversary – or just because! These blooms are also an excellent token of appreciation for someone you look up to. 

Mixed-colored Gerbera Daisies

Although different gerbera colors convey varying meanings, a combination of two or more of these colors generally symbolizes cheerfulness and happiness. Whether for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, engagements, or job promotions, a beautiful bunch of gerbera daisy blooms is always a sure win. 

Accepted Species of Gerbera Daisy

The genus Gerbera includes 22 accepted species:

Gerbera:

• Gerbera crocea 
• Gerbera grandis 
• Gerbera linnaei 
• Gerbera ovata 
• Gerbera serrata
• Gerbera tomentosa 
• Gerbera wrightii 

Section Lasiopus 

• Gerbera ambigua 
• Gerbera aurantiaca 
• Gerbera galpinii
• Gerbera jamesonii 
• Gerbera sylvicola 
• Gerbera viridifolia 

Section Pseudoseris 

• Gerbera bojeri 
• Gerbera diversifolia 
• Gerbera elliptica 
• Gerbera emirnensis 
• Gerbera hypochaeridoides 
• Gerbera leandrii 
• Gerbera perrieri 
• Gerbera petasitifolia 

Section Parva 

• Gerbera parva 

Wrapping Up

Gerbera daisies, with their radiant blooms and an array of vivid colors, stand as vibrant symbols of cheerfulness, purity, and beauty. These flowers encapsulate the essence of joy and positivity, making them a universally beloved choice for various occasions, from celebrations to gestures of comfort. Each color of the gerbera daisy carries its own unique meaning, allowing for nuanced expressions of love, appreciation, and friendship.