Symbolism in general was created by people for the people. We needed images and stories that are going to express how we feel and transfer hidden messages that were buried deep in our subconscious mind. These messages were supposed to be transferred to others, which is the reason why artists often used symbols of flowers, animals and certain objects to express qualities, traits and negative aspects of something.
Flower symbolism has been present for hundreds of years and people often used it to express their deep emotions, grief, happiness and attraction to one another. Without flowers, our lives wouldn’t just be boring and colorless; they would also be without meaning and sense. How would we express our gratitude, love and affection towards someone if there were no flowers to send this message?
People used flowers not only as gifts to others, there were also (and still are) an important part of ceremonies and celebrations around the world. These celebrations are something that can’t go without flowers and without flowers they would simply be meaningless. Flowers weren’t only taken to celebrations and feasts, they were also there so we can say goodbye to someone who is no longer with us and to wish that person a safe trip to the other side. Taking flowers to graves of those who are no longer with us is something that is mandatory and has to be done as a custom in almost all parts of the world.
Brides carry bouquets made out of bright, white or pastel flowers as a symbol of longterm tradition and customs. Flowers are also there so we can say thank you or I love you to someone really special, and with giving them we don’t have to say one word to the other person.
Flowers speak on behalf of people and send a more valuable message than any words can express. In art and literature, flower symbolism was important and we can see that by reading novels and poems, or looking at works of art by the greatest artists. There is almost a certain flower in every greatest poem, in every painting and work of art by the greatest artists.
Flowers were there to bring color into our world and to make us see the more beautiful side of life. In today’s text we will be talking about Jasmine flower and the symbolic meaning behind it. This flower carries an important symbolical meaning and this symbolism is still being groomed around the world. So, if you ever wanted to know more about your beloved Jasmine flower, this is the perfect opportunity to do that.
Meaning of the Jasmine flower
Every flower has its own symbolic meaning and significance. Sometimes meaning of a flower is important, even though you are not interested in finding out the entire story behind the flower, because you certainly don’t want to gift someone special a flower that is going to send the wrong message to that person.
Knowing the meaning of a certain flower is important because there is so much more hidden behind each flower. You will learn how certain cultures saw a particular flower, that this flower represented in their lives and how they used its symbolic meaning to celebrate the most important dates or events in their lives.
The meanings of the Jasmine flower are following:
Love
- Jasmine flower is a symbol of love and affection we feel towards someone. These gentle and scented flowers are there to remind us of a person we love and to become a perfect gift for such a special person. Gifting someone the Jasmine flower is going to send a strong message to this person and make them feel special and important. Jasmine flowers were gifted by lovers for hundreds of years and this symbolic meaning is something that lasted until today.
Beauty
- Jasmine flowers were considered symbols of beauty as well. Women would wear these flowers in their hair and dresses to make they more appealing and attractive to men. The beautiful scent of the Jasmine flower is another reason why women opt to wear it when going on romantic meetings with the person they liked. Sensual scent of Jasmine flower was a guarantee that she will be attractive and appealing to the person she choose as her lover. This symbolic meaning was also used in art, where women were often compared to the beauty of a Jasmine flower.
Good luck
- In some parts of the world, Jasmine flower is considered to be a symbol of good luck. To bring more luck into their lives, people would often carry Jasmine flowers in their pockets or somewhere close to them, because they believed that this flower will bring them positive energy and good fortune. Some would bring it into their homes to make sure good luck crosses their thresholds and enters their homes.
Purity
- Jasmine flower is also considered to be a symbol of purity and innocence. This gorgeous flower is often taken to weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies that celebrate innocence, purity and everything that is supposed to represent those two qualities. The gentle petals of the Jasmine flower as well as its beautiful color perfectly compliment the symbolism of this beautiful flower.
Jasmine Flower – Etymological meaning
Jasmine flower got its name after the Persian word Yasmin which is translated as “the gift from God”. This beautiful plant was long time considered to be exactly that and the entire genus Jasminium belongs to the family of Oleaceae.
The common olives we know and use in our cooking are also from the same family. There are over 200 species of this flower, but the best known is the Jasmine officinale, or the common Jasmine flower. They mostly grow in tropical and sub-tropical areas or the world, and the name itself dates back hundreds of years.
Jasmine Flower – Symbolism
The jasmine flower has been precious for thousands of years and it captures the imagination of people from the Orient to the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, beliefs and symbolic meanings have been linked to different cultures when it comes to jasmine flowers. It’s warm and elegant, romantic and sensual fragrance, with a sweet floral aroma, has become one of the most loved ones in the world.
It is believed that the origin of the Jasmine Himalayas is in western China and Tibet. The first information about this flower can be found in ancient Chinese, Persian, and Egyptian writings. The jasmine tree decorated the gardens and lavished the rich palaces of the Asian kings. It was respected by the Chinese royal family and traded along the Silk Road. In the sixteenth century it was transferred to Europe, after the return of the Portuguese sailor Vasco de Gama from India, and after hundreds of years later it still overflows European gardens.
The name Jasmine originates from the Arabic-Persian word ysmin or yzmin, which means a scented flower. The female name Jasmine, or the male name Jasmin, originates from this word. It is believed that the parents gave this name to children because they wanted to be beautiful, gentle, sophisticated and lovely as a jasmine flower.
In Indian culture, as in western cultures, jasmine symbolizes purity, and as such it usually adorns the hair of young women in various parts of Southeast Asia. The jasmine flower is the symbol of God Vishnu and is used during some religious rituals in the house or in the temple, expressing the desire for the purity of the spirit. For his scent in India, they think that it symbolizes forbidden love on earth, and according to the legend, the Indian god of love Kama attached flowers of jasmine to his arrows.
In China, jasmine is a symbol of women’s kindness, gratitude and delicacy, but also a means of attracting wealth and romance. For centuries, its dry flowers have been used for tea, and in some cultures they believe that daily drinking of jasmine tea can prevent diseases like cancer.
The Persians, used jasmine flowers, to scent the air at their gatherings. The secrets of jasmine were also known by the Egyptian emperor Cleopatra, who used them in the first century before the dawn of the new era, in times when the greatest Roman military commanders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony were killed. She sank the core of her ships into the jasmine oil, so that the wind would smell fiercely when she and her lover Martha Antony sailed to Nile. William Shakespeare in his part of Antony and Cleopatra describes the first meeting of Cleopatra and Mark Antony: dressed like Aphrodite, and sprinkled the garments with scented oil of jasmine.
Jasmine is a national flower in the Philippines and is often associated with wreaths that adorn religious images. In addition to being the national flower of Indonesia, it is considered to be the most important flower in weddings, especially on the island of Java. Jasmine is also a national symbol in Pakistan and Hawaii. In Syria, Jasmine is a symbol of Damascus, also called the City of Jasmine, and in Thailand, it symbolizes maternity. In Tunisia, jasmines flowers are twisted and so united are a sign of love.
Jasmine Flower – Color meaning
Some flowers come in only one color while others have various colors for us to choose from. Sometimes color of a certain flower doesn’t have a strong symbolical meaning while other times the color of a flower perfect compliments the symbolic meaning that a flower already has. Certain flowers came only in one color but with the rise of technology and botanical skills, people were able to create flowers in various colors. The Jasmine flower comes in several different colors and each one represents something else.
Colors of the Jasmine flower are:
White
- White Jasmine flowers are probably the most famous one and the ones who are mostly used in art and poems. White is often associated with the Jasmine flower and this is the first color people think of when you mention this flower. White is a symbol of purity, innocence and virginity, which are the symbolic meanings, that o perfectly well with the symbolical meaning of the Jasmine flower. White Jasmine flowers are often taken to wedding ceremonies, to newlyweds, baptisms and every other occasion where these symbolic meanings are perfect for the occasion. Gifting someone white Jasmine flower is going to tell that person that you respect that person and that you have a high opinion of them.
Pink
- Pink Jasmine flower is a symbol of romance, love and affection towards someone. This flower can also express female energy and it is a perfect gift for someone who is feminine, gentle and who won over your heart with beauty and charm. Pink Jasmine flower is also a great gift for someone who is beautiful, feminine and to a person who woke affection and love inside of you.
Blue
- Blue Jasmine flowers are symbols of honesty and trust. Gifting someone these flowers means you trust this person completely and you would be prepared to hand them over your life. The blue Jasmine flower is meant for someone who is your loyal friend or someone else close to you. This is going to express everything you are feeling at the moment without you even saying one word.
Orange
- Color orange is a symbol of happiness, passion and love. This color is going to be a vibrant reminder to the person you are gifting this flower to, that you are wishing this person all the best. Orange Jasmine flowers can also symbolize good luck and optimism, which is why they are an ideal gift for someone who needs support and motivation in life right now. If you know someone who needs a little bit of motivation, this flower color is going to be the perfect choice.
Yellow
- Yellow Jasmine flower is a symbol of happiness, optimism and friendship. Yellow Jasmine flowers are also common and they will be an ideal gift for someone who needs a little bit of happiness and joy in life. If your friend is going through some tough times right now, the yellow Jasmine flower is going to help them overcome the feelings of sadness and melancholy, and it might even bring some good luck into their lives as well.
Purple
- Purple Jasmine flower is a symbol of royalty and nobility. These unique flowers are an ideal gift for someone who is not ordinary or at least not ordinary for you. This has to be a person who is open-minded and extroverted. Gifting someone the purple Jasmine flower is going to send that person a message that he or she is special in your life and no one else is like them.
Red
- Red Jasmine flowers are symbols of love and passion. These flowers should be gifted to someone who is your partner for life and someone who is your everything in a romantic sense. The red Jasmine flowers can be a perfect substitution for roses or other flowers you tend to gift for Valentine’s Day, because their bright red color and gorgeous scent are going to fill your loved one’s heart with love and happiness.
Jasmine flower – Botanical facts and characteristics
Jasmine, known as jasmine officialis is a tropical evergreen plant. It grows like a garden plant, and in the warmer regions it can grow in the winter and outdoors. With pruning it can be grown as a bushy room plant, but also on terraces and balconies. It is very easy to grow and it blooms for a long time.
The Jasmine’s flowers are very bright, and they love sunny places. When it grows in the half-shade of a weaker flower, branches are more elongated.
The optimal temperature for the Jasmine is from 15 to 30 degrees. The sun and summer heat are well tolerated by this flower. In warmer regions, the Jasmine can spend winter outdoors, and in the continental areas should be placed in a room, where the temperature is not lower than 15 degrees, but not in too heated one. In the spring it is placed outside and gradually adapted to direct sunlight. It also tolerates increased salts in the substrate.
Jasmine starts to bubble up with water when the surface layer of the earth is dried, and about 3 cm thick. In winter, between the two waterings ground should be dry, but not completely dry. As it is bothered by excessive water retention around the root. If this happens, quickly empty the pad, especially if the plant is in the pots.
In order to increase humidity, a flowerpot with Jasmine flower can be placed on stones that are in the water, but the water should not touch the pot. The flower should also be regularly spawn with lukewarm water without limestone.
In the end of February and in March, the fertilizer containing more nitrogen is used to conserve the Jasmine flower. During the vegetation period, it is watered once a week with a water-soluble fertilizer for green plants. Like every crawler plant, the Jasmine should be planted with a support and additionally tied. A support, like a branch or grid will quickly grow up with its branches. Jasmine is transplanted when the root begins to emerge from the drainage holes of the pots.
In order to remove the dead branches, the Jasmines are pruned at the beginning of spring, and can be corrected in the course of vegetation periods. In order to prolong the flowering, dry flowers should be removed regularly.
In August, Jasmines reproduce with semi- cuttings, which after submersion should be sinked into warm water, whose temperature is about 32 degrees, and be careful because they might start leaking milk juice, which is irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. The cuttings are sprayed with a hormone for woody plants, and then placed in sterile sand, at a temperature above 22 degrees, where they will grow in about few weeks.
Jasmine Flower – Secret message
Without flowers, our lives wouldn’t just be boring and colorless; they would also be without meaning and sense. Flowers speak on behalf of people and send a more valuable message than any words can express. In art and literature, flower symbolism was important and we can see that by reading novels and poems, or looking at works of art by the greatest artists.
Besides having their symbolical meaning and significance, flowers also have a hidden message that needs to be interpreted and applied in your life. This message is going to help you make better decisions in life and learn the philosophy behind a certain flower. The Jasmine flower is telling you to cherish love and the ones you love. You never know how much time you have on your hands, which is why it is important to always tell others how you feel and what they mean to you. This will help you to lead a happier and more fulfilling life, and create even tighter bonds with the ones you love.
