Pansies in Folklore and Floriography: Meaning and Symbolism Explored

Pansy flowers are traditionally seen as symbols of love – both romantic and platonic. In Victorian floriography, pansies often represented forbidden love between secret lovers. They can also symbolize qualities like compassion, remembrance, and nostalgia. Join me as I explore the rich history and cultural significance of pansies in the language of flowers.

Etymological Meaning

Pansies get their name from “pensee,” an old French word meaning “to think.”

When this word was incorporated into English, it was used as another name for the viola flower. The original plant from which pansies come, heartsease (wild pansy), is derived from the Greek name for St. Euphrasia. This translates as “cheerfulness of mind,” which certainly reflects the cheery blooms of pansies.

The modern horticultural name for pansies, Viola x wittrockiana, is named after Veit Brecher Wittrock, a 19th-century Swedish botanist.

Victorian Language of Flowers

The Victorians loved assigning specific meanings to flowers – a practice known as floriography.

In Victorian times, people often sent pansies to their secret lovers. Pansies symbolize forbidden love in the Victorian language of flowers.

Due to the clandestine nature of the message, pansies were often hidden in bunches of herbs.

Color Symbolism

Pansies have hundreds of cultivars, which leads to an astonishing array of available colors. But within these colors, some are mainly symbolic. Let’s check out some common pansy flower colors and their meanings.

Blue Pansies

Blue pansy flowers vary from striking electric blues to cooler sky-blue shades. Blue pansy flowers symbolize devotion, honesty, and loyalty regardless of shade. Blue pansies make versatile gifts and are great for giving to colleagues.

Orange Pansies

Orange pansy flowers are rare compared to other colors but are no less beautiful. The orange pansy represents hope and optimism but can also be used to congratulate someone on an achievement.

Purple Pansies

Purple flower meaning has long been associated with rulers and royalty in most cultures for thousands of years. The purple pansy continues this symbolism by embodying dignity and nobility. Due to their rich hues, purple pansies also symbolize beauty.

Red Pansies

Red pansy flowers are the ones most associated with love. Although red traditionally represents our romantic love for a significant other, red pansies can also symbolize platonic love. Red pansies are great gifts for Valentine’s Day to show your passion and love for someone.

White Pansies

Like many white flowers, white pansies epitomize innocence, purity, and virtue. They are also strongly associated with spirituality. Choose a white pansy if you want to give someone a pansy but aren’t sure what you want to convey.

Yellow Pansies

Yellow flowers, including pansies, never fail to make us smile. The yellow pansy represents happiness, joy, and positivity. If you know someone who’s struggling, yellow pansies make an excellent gift.

Cultural & Historical Significance

In Ancient Greece, it was believed that violas, the ancestor plants of pansies, could be a key ingredient in love potions. This may have helped various cultures interpret pansies as symbols of love. Many Celtic people also adopted this practice for love potions.

Pansies represent love in works of literature as well. In one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, pansies are used as part of a love potion. Shakespeare would’ve been referring to the heartsease or wild pansy.

Suitable Gifting Occasions

Pansies represent various meanings, often depending on the color of the flowers. This versatility makes them fantastic gifts for most occasions, especially in instances relating to romantic or platonic love.

Red pansies are perfect for occasions like Valentine’s Day because they embody romantic love. Orange or yellow pansy flowers represent hope and happiness, making them excellent gifts for anyone recovering from an illness. Blue pansy flowers symbolize devotion and loyalty and would be suitable for a friend’s birthday.

Fun Facts About Pansies

• Ancient Roots: Pansies have a long history and have been cultivated for over 2,000 years. They were first cultivated in Europe and quickly gained popularity for their vibrant colors and charming appearance.
• Heartsease: Pansies are often called “heartsease” due to their heart-shaped petals. This nickname reflects their association with love and affection.
• Symbol of Remembrance: Pansies are also associated with remembrance in addition to symbolizing love and affection. They are often planted on graves or used in memorial gardens to honor loved ones who have passed away.
• Medicinal Uses: Historically, pansies were used for their medicinal properties and were believed to have healing properties. They were used in herbal remedies to treat various ailments, including respiratory issues and skin conditions.
• Pansy Day: In some cultures, there is a tradition of celebrating “Pansy Day” or “Viola Day,” where people exchange pansy flowers as tokens of friendship and affection.
• National Flower: The pansy is the national flower of Luxembourg, where it is celebrated for its beauty and resilience, thriving even in challenging growing conditions.

Wrapping Up

Pansy flowers are beautiful symbols of love, both romantic and platonic. This makes them ideal gift plants for anyone that you have affection for. Pansies also represent compassion and thoughtfulness and are perfect presents for anyone recuperating from illness. Pansies can be tactful symbols of remembrance for anyone grieving a personal loss.