Chrysanthemums, with their striking and vibrant appearance, make a beautiful addition to any flower bouquet.
The fluffy textured blooms, fondly known as ‘mums’ for short, have a vibrant history too, tracing back thousands of years to ancient China where they originated.
Did you know that November’s birth flower has lots of different meanings across cultures, too? Read on to learn more facts about these fabulous flowers.
Chrysanthemums originated in China
The flower was prized for its beauty and medicinal properties, and has been cherished in Chinese culture for thousands of years. In fact, in China, chrysanthemums are one of the ‘Four Gentlemen’ or ‘Four Noble Ones’, a collective term for four plants often found in Chinese art that include the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. The flower then made its way to Japan, where it was adopted by the Emperor as the Imperial Family Emblem and seen as a symbol of royalty.
The name is Greek
Chrysanthemums got their name in the 17th century from the Greek words for ‘golden’ (‘crysos’) and ‘flower’ (‘anthemon’), because the original chrysanthemums were yellow in colour. How beautiful!
These flowers have different meanings across cultures
Chrysanthemums have different meanings across cultures. In Asia, chrysanthemums are often associated with joy, happiness and longevity. However, in Europe they are thought of as a flower of mourning and featured in sympathy bouquets. In Australia chrysanthemums are traditionally given on Mother’s Day (remember their nickname? Mums.) And, of course, as we mentioned, they hold special significance in Japan as the Imperial Family Emblem.
Each colour has its own special meaning
Just as chrysanthemums symbolism differs from culture to culture, each colour has its own special meaning, too. Pink chrysanthemums are thought to symbolise admiration, and are a symbol of royalty in Japan. Red typically signifies love and passion, while yellow or orange chrysanthemums are tied with happiness, joy and celebration. Depending on the country you are in, white chrysanthemums can nod to purity, honesty and loyalty, or, like in many European countries, be reserved for mourning and grief.
Chrysanthemums are the November birth flower
Whether you’re celebrating a friend’s birthday with seasonal blooms or the arrival of a new bundle of joy in November, you can’t go wrong with a bouquet of chrysanthemums as they are the official birth flower of November.
These blooms are the official flower of Chicago
This one might surprise you, but chrysanthemums also hold special significance in the United States. In 1966, the flower was adopted as the official flower of the City of Chicago. In fact, many years later a portrait from the city showed the former American president Barack Obama against a backdrop of flowers including chrysanthemums, a nod to the significance of the flower in the city.
These flowers are edible… yes, really!
Chrysanthemums are in fact edible, and often used in Asian dishes or brewed into herbal tea. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they’ve also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat headaches and inflammation, and support digestion. The taste of chrysanthemums can change depending on the type, while some are tangy and bitter others are sweet with a floral aroma.
Chrysanthemums are thought to help clear the air, says NASA
A study by NASA found that chrysanthemums can help to reduce indoor air pollution, so not only do they look beautiful but they could make your home feel fresher too. Although it’s worth noting that these blooms are toxic to cats and dogs, so if you do have them in your space, keep them well away from pets. But don’t worry – there are lots of pet-friendly alternatives!
