Orange Blossom Tales: From Myths to Modern Day Meanings
When we think about oranges, we usually think about their refreshing citrus taste, juice, and vitamin C. However, we rarely consider that they come from trees (Citrus sinensis) that produce lovely flowers with an equally appealing scent and a rich symbolic history. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about orange blossom meaning and symbolism in the language of flowers.
Orange Blossom Meaning – The Essentials
Orange blossoms symbolize innocence, chastity, purity, good luck, and fertility. Long used as an adornment for brides during wedding ceremonies and celebrations, orange blossoms have also come to symbolize eternal love.
Etymological Meaning
Sweet orange gets its scientific or botanical name from a combination of Greek and Latin origins.
The word citrus comes from the Greek word “citron”, which refers to cedar trees. It’s thought to have been assigned to citrus trees due to their green foliage’s similar scent. The word “sinensus” comes from the Latin for China or Chinese and refers to the orange tree’s origins.
The common word that refers to the fruit and type of tree, “orange,” comes from the Persian word for the fruit, narang.
The Meaning, Symbolism, and Cultural Significance of Orange Blossom
Orange blossoms symbolize innocence, purity, virtue, good luck, and fertility. Long used as an adornment for brides during wedding ceremonies and celebrations, orange blossoms have also come to symbolize eternal love.
Orange Blossoms in Ancient Cultures
The symbolic meaning of orange blossoms has been the same for millennia. Since these blossoms unusually appear on orange trees simultaneously as the actual fruit, they are associated with fertility.
As a result, orange blossoms were traditionally used for adorning brides on their wedding days in the places where orange trees first grew: in ancient China, India, and Persia. In these places, orange blossoms came to symbolize the purity, innocence, and virtue of brides on their wedding days. In addition, orange blossom was offered as a symbol of good luck and well-wishes for a fruitful, fertile union.
The Symbolic Meaning of White Orange Blossom Flowers
Unlike the vibrant fruits they accompany, orange blossoms don’t bloom in the color orange; they only blossom in snowy white.
In addition to orange blossoms having a long history of symbolizing purity, white-colored flowers, in general, traditionally also symbolize purity and innocence. This lends the orange blossom an even heavier weight regarding its symbolic meaning.
Orange Blossoms in the Victorian Era
During the Victorian Era, floriography, or the language of flowers, was a popular and commonly used form of communication. Each flower was ascribed a different meaning and could be given to a person, alone or in a bouquet, to convey a message.
In the Victorian language of flowers, orange blossoms retained their ancient symbolic meaning, representing fertility and purity, in addition to taking on the meaning of eternal love.
At this time, Queen Victoria wore a crown of orange blossoms on her wedding day to Prince Albert in 1840, creating a craze throughout Britain. Soon after, brides in the west began adorning themselves, their bouquets, and their decorations with orange blossoms. These were natural ones if they could afford it and wax ones if they couldn’t – for their wedding days.
Orange Blossom FAQs:
Do orange blossom flowers come back every year?
Yes, orange trees bloom every year.
What does orange blossom smell like?
Orange blossom has a distinctly citrus-like scent with sweet, soapy undertones.
What are orange blossom flowers used for?
Orange blossoms are used for making perfumes, tea, orange water, and orange blossom honey. They’re also commonly included in bridal bouquets.
What pollinators do orange blossom flowers attract?
Honeybees primarily pollinate orange blossoms.
Are orange blossom flowers poisonous to humans and animals?
Orange blossoms are toxic to pets and non-toxic to people.
Purity, Beauty, and an Aromatic Experience
Whether you’re arranging a bouquet for your home or choosing flowers for your upcoming wedding day, orange blossoms will make the perfect addition. Their rich symbolic history and lovely fragrance can help you celebrate your big day or simply add a bit of sweetness to your everyday life.