The Symbolic Charm of Sweet William Flowers

In the language of flowers, Sweet William symbolizes love, grace, bravery, and admiration. It is often wrongly associated with the Roman goddess Diana, though it is named the “flower of the gods.” Many different tales and theories attest to its name honoring Shakespeare or Prince William, the 18th-century Duke of Cumberland. Duchess Kate famously had Sweet William in her wedding bouquet.

Etymological Meaning

Dianthus comes from the combination of “dios,” which means god in Greek, and “anthos,” meaning flower. Greek botanist Theophrastus named them this out of his love for them.

The common name, Sweet William, is a little more challenging to place. According to Wikipedia, there are many potential explanations for the name of this flower.

One theory holds that the flower was named in honor of Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland. His claim to fame is helming the rout of the Scottish clansmen at the Battle of Culloden, which essentially ended the highland clan’s way of life. Another theory holds that the flower’s namesake is none other than The Bard, William Shakespeare.

Still, other theories claim that Sweet William is a corruption of “oeillet,” French for “little eye” and the carnation flower.

The Victorian Langauge of Flowers

In the language of flowers, Sweet William has traditionally symbolized love, grace, gratitude, and admiration. Like many flowers, its meaning changes with its respective hue. 

According to the Victorians, Sweet William was a perfect choice to compliment someone on his bravery or gallantry. This may be due to the flower’s association with the Battle of Culloden, mentioned above.

Sweet William plays a significant role in old English folk ballads, whose heroes are often named thus. The most famous example is “Fair Margaret and Sweet William.” This is a Romeo and Juliet-style ballad in which the lovers are cruelly torn apart by fate.

Color Symbolism

Sweet William comes in whites, pinks, reds, purples, and multicolor. These may be used for mourning, friendship, romance, and wealth.

Flowers, so often associated with femininity and given to women, are not usually noteworthy in the male realm. Sweet William is a welcome exception.

Duchess Kate’s Bridal Bouquet

As an homage to her husband, Prince William, the beautiful Duchess Kate Middleton also included this flower in her bridal bouquet. You can do the same or put it in boutonnieres, which will harken back to Victorian gallantry. Sweet William isn’t an exceptionally long-lasting flower, so it works best for short-term arrangements like these.

Ancient Greece & Rome

Sweet William is often erroneously associated with a tale from Ancient Greece and Rome. In it, the Roman goddess Diana (or her Greek counterpart, Artemis) was frustrated by a fruitless hunt. In her rage, she comes across a hapless man and gouges his eyes out. Immediately feeling remorseful, she caused red flowers to spring up wherever a drop of blood fell.

Here’s the bad news: those flowers were carnations, not Sweet William. The confusion is natural, as both belong to the family Caryophyllaceae. It is, however, a carnation myth, and Sweet William does not have any of its own in this mythological system.

Fun Facts About Sweet William Flowers

Here are some fun facts about Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) that highlight its unique characteristics and appeal:

1. Bearded Beauty: The botanical name “Dianthus” comes from the Greek words “dios” (divine) and “anthos” (flower), essentially meaning “divine flower.” The term “barbatus” means “bearded,” which could refer to the fringed edges of the petals.
2. Colorful Range: Sweet William flowers come in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, white, and bicolor varieties. The vibrant hues make them a popular choice for adding splashes of color to gardens and floral arrangements.
3. Fragrant Blooms: These flowers are known for their distinct, clove-like fragrance, making them a delightful addition to any garden or bouquet.
4. Pollinator-Friendly: Sweet William attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
5. Historical Medicinal Use: Sweet William has been used for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties in traditional herbal medicine, although it’s more commonly grown for ornamental purposes today.
6. Biennial Life Cycle: Sweet William is typically biennial, meaning it completes its lifecycle over two years—growing foliage in the first year and flowering in the second.
7. Cultural Significance: Sweet William has been a staple in cottage gardens for centuries and features prominently in English folklore and literature, highlighting its enduring appeal and cultural significance.

Sweet William and You

Ready to get more Sweet William in your life? It’s a perfect bedding plant, filling in gaps between larger landscape species, and is also rich in meaning and symbolism. And if you like a little cottage bouquet, you can bring these in, where they will brighten the table for a day or two.