Salvia Flower Symbolism Is Ancient, Powerful, and Mysterious
In the language of flowers, Salvia holds the symbolic meaning of longevity, wisdom, esteem, and good health. Spiritual leaders have used salvia flowers in their religious rites and divination for centuries as a symbol of knowledge and connection to the divine source. Even today, scientists, artists, cooks and diners, gardeners, and healers prize salvias for their ornamental and symbolic value.
Etymological Meaning
Derived from the Latin word salus, salvia means “healthy.” In Old French, spoken in Northern France from the 8th to 14th century, sage means “wise, knowledgeable, learned; shrewd, skillful.”
Salvia Flowers in Floriography
In the Victorian language of flowers, known as floriography, salvia carried meanings of wisdom, good health, and long life. This association with healing and protection naturally extended to symbolic meanings in floriography, where flowers communicated messages and sentiments that were not easily spoken aloud in Victorian society.
Color Symbolism
Salvias come in a variety of colors, and many of these colors carry special meaning and symbolism. Some meanings are specific to salvias, while others are general to the language of flowers. These colors and their meanings include:
Red Salvias
The red-blooming Salvia flower is traditionally associated with love and romance and symbolizes “Forever mine” gestures.
Purple Salvias
Purple is a regal color synonymous with royalty, success, and good standing.
Pink Salvias
In the language of flowers, the pink petals of a flower Salvia plant symbolize love, femininity, and gentleness.
Blue Salvias
The blue flowers of a Salvia are often aligned with friendship and family and symbolic of thoughtful gestures such as sentiments of “missing you” or “thinking of you”.
Salvia and Shamanism
The Shamans of the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca have used Salvia divinorum in their religious rites and divination for centuries. The species’ name, divinorum, means “of the seer,” and refers to its use for seeking knowledge of the future or from a divine source.
Greek Mythology
Ancient Greeks considered Salvia melissodora a sacred herb, and dedicated it to Zeus. The epithet “melissodora” comes from “Melissa” (honeybee) and “odora” (fragrance). Melissa is also the name of a mythological Cretan nymph that collected honey.
Ancient Greece
The Greek variety Salvia Fruticosa produces purplish flowers from early May to June. The flowers are ready for collection and harvest during June and July. Ancient Greeks admired the beauty, medicinal value, and culinary use of salvia, along with its sweet nectar and pollen. In fact, a Minoan fresco created about 1400 BCE at Knossos on the island of Crete depicts salvia.
Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans revered salvia so deeply that they performed a special ceremony before picking the plant; they even used a special knife, as the iron in their traditional knives would interact with the salvia.
Salvia in Art and Literature
Salvia divinorum inspires “visionary art” of all genres. After taking this mind-altering salvia, writers have created visual arts, such as poetry and prose. Graphic artists have even created art depicting the trichomes, or fine hairs, on the surface of a salvia leaf.
Suitable Gifting Occasions
Salvias makes thoughtful gifts for a variety of occasions. Mom will appreciate the colorful flowers in a pot or a vase as a Mother’s Day gift, for example, and a sweetheart will love a bouquet on Valentine’s Day.
Be sure to give a color that says “forever mine,” royalty and success, “thinking of you,” and love, femininity, and gentleness. A potted salvia is perfect in the spring.
Fun Facts About Salvia Flowers:
Salvia flowers, belonging to the sage family, are celebrated for their medicinal and culinary uses, vibrant beauty, and ecological importance. Here are some fun and intriguing facts about salvia flowers:
- Diverse Family: Salvia is the largest genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae), with nearly 1,000 species ranging from annuals and perennials to shrubs. This diversity results in various colors, shapes, and sizes, making salvias incredibly versatile in the garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: Salvias are known for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, thanks to their nectar-rich flowers.
- Heat and Drought Tolerant: Many salvia species are renowned for their resilience to heat and drought conditions, making them an excellent choice for water-wise gardens and xeriscaping.
- Psychoactive Properties: Some salvia species, most notably Salvia divinorum, have psychoactive properties and have been used in traditional spiritual practices by indigenous peoples in Mexico for their visionary effects.
- Deer Resistant: Many gardeners appreciate salvias for their deer-resistant qualities, as their aromatic foliage tends to deter deer from grazing.
- Symbolic Meanings: In the language of flowers, salvia can symbolize wisdom, good health, and long life, making it a meaningful gift in bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Wide Range of Uses: Beyond their ornamental and ecological value, salvias are used in traditional medicine, culinary arts, and even in the production of essential oils for their aromatic properties.
Wrapping Up
Salvias are among the most common, versatile, and beautiful plants in the world. Throughout the centuries, these unique flowers have held a special place in gardens, kitchens, medicine cabinets, and religious ceremonies, thanks to their rich meaning and symbolism. Even today, scientists, artists, cooks and diners, gardeners, and healers prize salvias.
Further reading: Discover 100 stunning types of purple flowers.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.