Morning Glory Symbolism: The Stories These Flowers Tell

Morning Glory flowers traditionally hold the symbolic meaning of unrequited love and obsession in the language of flowers. The flower symbolizes innocence and love in Japan, making it a common gift between young lovers. In Christianity, the flower is often viewed as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. This comes from Exodus 16:7 in the Bible, which mentions the glory of the Lord being witnessed in the morning. 

Etymological Meaning

The common name of Morning Glory is linked to the blooming habits of most species that share this moniker. They tend to bloom early in the morning and close by the end of the day. 

Most flowers last only one day, while some varieties may reopen the next day. The scientific name Convolvulaceae refers to the plants’ vining habit.

Morning Glory Flower Meaning in Japanese Culture

The Morning Glory is associated with love regardless of culture. This is most likely due to the vining habits of the plants that share this name. Vining plants tend to be associated with love and devotion because of their clinging nature. 

The Japanese were the first to cultivate and crossbreed the various species of Morning Glory. They use the flower to symbolize innocence and love, making it a shared gift between young lovers.

Chinese Culture

In China, the flower is widely grown as a decoration on garden fences and house walls. It’s also associated with love in this culture, but a specific folklore story goes along with it. 

Two lovers started to neglect their duties to see each other, which angered the gods. They were banished to the separate banks of a wide river and only allowed to meet one day per year.

The plant’s constant climbing and propensity to reach across open spaces reminded people of the lovers’ desire to see each other.

The Victorian Langauge of Flowers

In the language of flowers, the Victorians also loved growing Morning Glories, some varieties easily adapted to cool climates like England. Thus, it acquired an essential role in developing the Language of Flowers, which was used to send coded messages. 

These flowers picked up a similar association with unrequited love as it had in Chinese culture. Including a Morning Glory in a bouquet could signal continuing or undying love.

Morning Glory Flowers in Christianity

Some Christian groups have taken up the use of the flower as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. This comes from Exodus 16:7 in the Bible, which mentions the glory of the Lord being witnessed in the morning. 

Finally, Pre-Columbian cultures extracted compounds from the Morning Glory to create rubber materials.

Mesoamerican Cultures

Interestingly, some ancient Mesoamerican cultures utilized Morning Glory plants, particularly their seeds, for their hallucinogenic properties. These seeds contain a natural tryptamine called LSA, which can induce visions and were possibly used in shamanic rituals.

Color Symbolism

In the language of flowers, color plays an intricate role in the associated symbolism of many flowers and plants. The Morning Glory showcases a wide variety of hues, which in turn contributes to their respective symbolic meaning:

• Hot pink: Gratitude, energy, peacefulness, joy, fun, playfulness
• Indigo to purple: Royalty, grace, wealth, growth, healing, hopefulness
• Blue: Enduring love, desire, peace, infinity, intuition, intelligence, power
• Red: Passionate love, power, strength, wealth, seduction, desire
• White: Purity, healing, peacefulness, innocence, youth, rebirth
• Yellow: Warmth, joy, fresh starts, healing.

Suitable Gifting Occasions

Morning Glory flowers are a popular choice for bouquets symbolizing new beginnings and blossoming relationships, making them perfect for weddings and proposals. Their delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms are often included in arrangements to subtly express initial interest or budding affection.

These flowers also hold a deeper meaning tied to devotion and enduring love, making them an ideal anniversary gift. A live plant, whether potted or in a hanging container, adds a thoughtful touch, representing growth, renewal, and the beauty of fresh starts. Perfect for celebrating love’s journey or marking a meaningful new chapter, Morning Glories carry a message as uplifting as their blooms.

Fun Facts About Morning Glory Flowers

Morning glory flowers, with their vibrant colors and distinctive trumpet shape, are a captivating sight in gardens and landscapes. Here are some fun and interesting facts:

1. Solar Followers: Morning glories are known for their unique behavior of opening in the early morning to greet the sunrise and closing in the afternoon, hence their name.
2. Vast Variety: There are over 1,000 species of morning glories, belonging to several genera within the Convolvulaceae family. This diversity results in a wide range of colors, sizes, and growth habits, from climbing vines to bushy plants.
3. Heavenly Blue: One of the most popular varieties of morning glory is the ‘Heavenly Blue,’ renowned for its vibrant azure blue flowers with a white center.
4. Natural Pesticides: Some species of morning glory contain compounds that can be toxic to certain pests, making them a natural form of pest control in gardens.
5. Cultural Significance: In Japanese culture, morning glories, or “asagao,” have a special place, particularly in the Edo period, where they were the subject of extensive breeding and cultivation, leading to numerous varieties.
6. Space Travelers: Morning glories were among the first plants to travel to space. Seeds of morning glory were taken aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1992 to study the effects of zero gravity on plant growth.
7. Fast Growers: Morning glory vines are rapid growers and can gain several inches in length in just a few days under optimal conditions, making them excellent for covering trellises, fences, and other structures in a short period.
8. Artistic Inspiration: The unique beauty of morning glories has inspired artists and poets through the ages. They appear in numerous works of art, from ancient pottery to modern paintings, symbolizing various themes depending on the cultural context.

Wrapping Up

Many people have smiled at the beauty of a bold Morning Glory bloom and associated it with the feeling of love for someone else. If you’re looking for a flower to symbolize how happy someone else makes you, this is a great choice. It’s also easy enough to add to the home landscape, giving you a source of fresh-cut flowers whenever you like.