Myths and Marigolds: Exploring Their Historic and Cultural Symbolism
One of the most beloved flowers around the world, marigolds have many uses and benefits. They protect the plants growing around them and have medicinal properties that help people too. Of course, we also value marigolds for the vibrant folds of petals that make up their blossoms. What’s more, marigolds grow in just about every place on Earth. Here we’ll take you through everything you need about Marigold’s meaning, symbolism, history, origins, and cultural significance worldwide today.
Marigold Meaning & Symbolism: The Essentials
- Marigolds symbolize positive emotions and energy.
- Commonly referred to as the ‘herb of the sun’, we associate the flowers’ fiery yellow, orange, and red hues with warmth, happiness, joy, optimism, and good luck.
- Yet, marigold meaning also symbolizes darker emotions such as jealousy, grief, despair, and mourning.
- Many cultures also associate Marigold flowers with resurrection and the practices of remembrance and honoring the dead.
Etymology:
Given the flower’s common name and two separate genera, marigolds also have an interesting etymological history.
Latin for “little clock,” the name calendula refers to the clock-shaped face of blooming marigolds in the Calendula genus. Tagetes, the other genus of marigolds, gets its name from Tages, a prophet who is recognized for founding the ancient Etruscan religion.
Marigold, the common name for these flowers, comes from Marygolde, the conjoining of two words in old English: mary and golde. The gold-colored blooms might have earned this name because they were presented to the Virgin Mary when a person did not have actual gold coins to give as a prayer offering.
Marigold’s Meaning and Symbolism
Since marigolds are varied and have spread to all different parts of the world, marigold flower meanings have become equally varied with respect to marigold colors and the cultures that incorporate marigold flowers into their traditions. Here are 4 of the most popular marigold colors and what they mean:
1. Red Marigold Flower Meaning
Until recently, marigolds that bloom in the red end of the spectrum have been elusive. However, a few intentionally cultivated varieties have achieved this fiery hue. The red marigold’s symbolic history isn’t as long as that of other colors. However, like other red flowers, red marigolds symbolize romantic love.
2. Orange Marigold Flower Meaning
In the language of flowers, the color orange conveys passion and deep feelings. When paired with cheerful marigolds, orange indicates strong, positive emotions.
3. Orange-Red Marigold Flower Meaning
Marigolds that aren’t a true red tend to have orange-tipped petals. These marigolds combine the meaning of the two colors to signify passionate feelings of deep love and romance.
4. Yellow or Gold Marigold Flower Meaning
The color of the Sun, yellow and golden hues are associated with positive energy, happiness, warmth, joy, and other good feelings. Most varieties of marigolds bloom in this sunny color and can be used to encourage optimism, good luck, and generally happy thoughts.
8 Examples of Marigold Meaning & Symbolism From Around the World
Associated with the Sun and positive energy, marigolds can even symbolize the spiritual power of resurrection. They also have symbolic meanings that connect them to darker ideas like, death, and despair. Dew collects in marigold flower petals overnight, and the flowers often weep in the morning as the moisture drips from the blossoms. As a result, marigolds are sometimes called the flowers of grief.
The symbolic meaning of marigold flowers changes depending on the times, your location, and the culture in which you find yourself.
1. Marigold Meaning & Symbolism in Mexico
Marigolds belong to an ancient tradition in Mexico that extends back to the Aztec people who believed the blossoms to be sacred. Today, marigolds play an important role in Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. The flowers, which are believed to draw in spirits with their fragrance and bright colors, decorate gravesites, altars, and shrines erected to honor and remember the dead.
2. Buddhism
In Buddhism, garlands of yellow and golden marigolds are strung together and used as offerings and adornments in temples, at altars, and near statues of the Buddha. Used in conjunction with lotus flowers, marigolds are used to worship Buddha.
3. Hinduism
In Hinduism, people associate marigolds with the Sun. They symbolize auspiciousness, brightness, and positive energy. They’re also associated with the ideal couple as represented in Hinduism, the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. As a result, marigolds are often used in Hindu marriage celebrations.
4. Christianity
Christian traditions strongly associate marigolds (Mary’s gold) with the Virgin Mary. They’re planted in Bible gardens everywhere, and Christians like to think of the golden marigolds growing around the world as Mary’s golden crown surrounding the Earth.
5. Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece
In ancient Egypt and Greece, marigolds symbolized healing and restoration because both ancient cultures valued marigolds for their healing properties. They used them to soothe pain, heal sores, and to treat wounds. They also added them to their foods and drinks for additional flavor and color. Today, marigolds are still prized for their medicinal properties.
7. Victorian Era
In the tradition of Victorian flower language, marigolds were a symbol of grief, despair, and mourning. Similar to the marigold’s part in The Day of the Dead, marigolds were also used as a remembrance flower during the Victorian era.
8. Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, both men and women carried marigolds in the hope that the flowers would connect them with a new love interest.
9. Marigold Flowers and Astrology
Marigold flowers are the official Zodiac flower of Sagittarius because of their ability to thrive in various growing conditions. This is a fitting representation of Sagittarius, who are known for their strength and independence.
The calendula is also a symbol of good communication, a trait that Sagittarius is known for. Many say this is one of the most emotionally intelligent zodiac signs, a trait that contributes to successful communication in relationships.
Marigold Meaning & Symbolism in Tattoos
Generally, marigold tattoos inked in yellow or orange represent grief, cruelty, or jealousy. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s story behind their own tattoo will vary and symbolic meaning can change depending on the person’s story or their culture. So, you shouldn’t automatically assume that a marigold tattoo has a negative connotation for every person who chooses to get one.
The 5 Best Occasions for Gifting Marigold Flowers
1. October Birthdays and Anniversaries
The official birth flower for October, marigolds make a great gift for celebrating an October birthday or another special October occasion like an anniversary. Whether you give your loved one a cheerful container full of blossoming marigolds or a packet of seeds to plant the following spring, this gift will bring hope, joy, and wishes for good luck.
2. Get Well or Thinking of You
Whether your friend is under the weather or simply going through a difficult time, marigolds make a great pick-me-up. With marigolds, you’ll send your loved one positive energy and let them know they have your support – no matter what sort of challenges they face.
3. Sympathy or Remembrance
While marigolds hold positive symbolic meanings, they still carry a long history of acting as remembrance flowers. So, they still make an appropriate sympathy gift or tribute to a lost loved one. Whether you’re remembering your loved one on Dia de los Muertos or marking another significant day of their life, marigolds will help you remember the happy times you had and celebrate their life.
4. Weddings
You’re guaranteed to find marigolds at a Hindu wedding celebration. These blossoms make a great gift for acknowledging a friend or loved one’s recent nuptials. With their cheerful colors and auspicious symbolic meaning, you can share in their joy and send positive energy for a successful union at the same time.
5. Romantic Gestures
If you’re falling or have already fallen passionately in love with someone, then you can show your special someone how you feel with red marigolds. Look for the red petals that remind you of your beating heart.
Marigold Meaning & Symbolism FAQs:
What does Marigold symbolize?
In modern Western culture, marigolds symbolize positive emotions and energy. We associate the flowers’ fiery yellow, orange, and red hues with the warmth of the Sun, happiness, joy, optimism, and good luck. Yet, marigolds sometimes symbolize darker emotions such as jealousy, grief, despair, and mourning.
What is Marigold good for?
Marigold flowers are revered for their medicinal properties and are frequently used to treat rashes, burns, and wounds. Many skin care products contain calendula extract, and various marigold-based products are available.
Are marigolds good luck?
Historically, Marigolds in many cultures and religions have been used as a protection to ward off evil spirits and have a deep association with fortune, prosperity, and good luck.
Why is Marigold The flower of the Dead?
Marigolds have often been used in floral arrangements to remember those who have passed. It’s believed the colorful blossoms, as well as the scent of the flower, help guide spirits to the altar during celebrations such as Dia de Los Muertos.
What color are marigolds?
Marigolds most commonly cover a spectrum of warm colors, including deep reds, oranges, coppers, yellows, golds, and orange-red hues.
Where do marigolds originate from?
The native region of Tagetes flowers is well known. Marigolds grow naturally in the Southwestern United States, Central America, and South America. The ancient Aztecs from this region actively cultivated marigolds for religious ceremonies and medicinal treatments. Tagetes seeds eventually made their way to Spain and the rest of the world via Spanish explorers in the 1500s.
Can you eat marigolds?
Marigold petals are edible and often consumed fresh or dried in teas and salads. While they are safe to ingest, some varieties taste better than others. If you plan to add a dash of marigold to your next dish, you’ll get the best flavor from French marigolds, Mexican mint marigolds, or gem marigolds.
Wrap Up
Whether honoring a loved one, celebrating a happy occasion, or enriching prayers with a floral offering, we turn to marigolds and their blossoming faces that shine like the Sun. With so many symbolic meanings and important places in cultural traditions, it’s no wonder that marigolds hold a special place in the hearts of flower lovers everywhere.