Yarrow: The Ancient Flower of Wounds, Warriors, and Unbreakable Love

Yarrow is a beautiful flower that shares twin meanings of healing and love. In the language of flowers, Yarrow’s symbolic meaning is traditionally associated with healing, originating from Ancient Greek mythology. The Yarrow plant is also used for divination in Chinese culture.

Etymological Meaning

The proper name Achillea is taken from Achilles, the Ancient Greek hero who was immortal and invulnerable except for his heel. This name was linked to the hero’s myth due to the plant’s reputation for accelerating wound healing and the story that he applied to the soldiers injured at the Battle of Troy. 

The second part of the proper name, millefolium, refers to the finely divided leaves that appear to have thousands of individual segments.

Yarrow Flowers in Victorian Times

The yarrow flower shares twin meanings of healing and love. In the language of flowers, Yarrow’s symbolic meaning is traditionally associated with healing, originating from Ancient Greek mythology.

In Victorian flower language, giving yarrow also meant lasting friendship and healing after arguments. The plant’s ability to spread and create communities of connected plants made it a natural symbol for enduring social bonds.

Some friendship gardens specifically include yarrow as the “glue” that holds different plant communities together—just like it does with human connections!

Yarrow in Greek Mythology

In Ancient Greece, the Yarrow plant was strongly associated with the Trojan hero Achilles. The plant’s Latin name and genus are derived from the hero’s name. This is because the herb was added to the water in which he was dipped, which gave him invulnerability. 

Later, during the Trojan War, Achilles also used the herb to heal his soldiers’ wounds. As an essential part of the Illiad, this herb became a part of other dramatic stories and poems from Greek culture as time passed. This also led to its spread throughout Europe and Asia, where it hadn’t been found previously, as Greeks traded with other cultures.

Yarrow in Chinese Culture

Yarrow plays a vital role in Chinese traditional medicine and the divination practices known as I-Ching. Known in Mandarin as Ya Luo, this herb is recommended for supporting lung and kidney health. 

As part of the Taoist tradition, 50 dried stalks of Yarrow flowers are tossed, and the patterns are read as divination. It was said to grow around the grave of Confucius, the founder of the Confucian religion.

Yarrow in Myth, Folklore, and Witchcraft

During the Medieval period, where witchcraft was a major concern to the Church, Yarrow gained a reputation for being able to drive away the devil. It became a part of many complex Christian exorcism rituals used to send away demons or force witches to confess. 

Yet at the same time, some sources from the period also list Yarrow as a plant used by the witches to summon the devil. This dual meaning makes it a complex part of the symbolism of European folklore.

Love’s Fortune Teller

Young women once tucked yarrow under their pillows to dream of future husbands. The old rhyme goes: “Thou pretty herb of Venus tree, thy true name is yarrow; now who my bosom friend must be, pray tell thou me tomorrow.”

The Boundary Guardian

Yarrow has long stood as a protective barrier between worlds. Planted around homes, it was believed to keep evil spirits and negative energies at bay.

Some cultures hung dried yarrow over baby cradles and marriage beds as a shield against harm. Its umbrella-like flower clusters were seen as tiny protective canopies, spreading safety wherever they grew.

Nature’s Weather Prophet

Country folk relied on yarrow as a natural weather forecaster. When rain approaches, the plant’s stems stiffen and stand taller—preparing to catch maximum rainfall.

During drought, yarrow conserves energy by folding its leaves. Farmers watching these signals could plan harvests and plantings accordingly. It’s like having a botanical meteorologist right in your garden!

The Time-Bender

Folk traditions claim yarrow alters one’s perception of time—making moments seem longer or shorter depending on need. Travelers carried yarrow to make long journeys feel brief, while healers used it during treatments to extend the patient’s sense of restful time. Some called it “the herb of presence” for its supposed ability to keep you rooted in the moment.

The Wisher’s Aid

Making wishes on yarrow blooms dates back centuries. The tradition says you must close your eyes, make your wish, then blow gently on the flower cluster. The number of tiny florets that remain attached supposedly indicates how many years until your wish comes true. Impatient wishers would sometimes cheat by licking their thumb first—creating just enough stickiness to keep those florets in place!

Other Symbolic Uses of Yarrow

Yarrow also developed into a symbol of youthful love. Numerous European cultures where the plant is native independently involved the herb in various courtship rituals. 

For example, in England and Ireland, young girls would put a plant leaf in one nostril. If they experienced a nosebleed while reciting a rhyme about true love, it would mean that their love was true.

Suitable Gifting Occasions

Due to Yarrow’s strong associations with both healing and romantic love, these flowers are versatile and work for many gifting occasions. Consider using the delicate blooms in place of Baby’s Breath in a romantic arrangement with roses and red tulips. For someone who’s ill and recovering, Yarrow makes an ideal bouquet for wishing good health.

Wrap Up

Yarrow is a beautiful plant with a wide range of cultural meanings. Adding it to a landscape attracts pollinators and adds a subtle layer of symbolism.