Flower Symbolism
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| See also | Flower Crowns, Hanahaki |
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Flower symbolism is a common trope in art, literature, and other media. The trope has its origins in folk traditions that assign various "meanings" to plants, or associate them with specific character attributes, emotions, nations, deities, etc.
The language of flowers is perhaps the best known form of flower symbolism. This developed in Victorian England as a method of communicating through the exchange of floral arrangements with coded messages. For example, bellflowers were associated with unwavering love, bluebells with loyalty and constancy, and pansies with remembrance and thought.[1] Thus, a bouquet featuring all three, sent to a distant lover, could be a way of expressing one's devotion.
Prevalence in Fandom
Fanwork
Fanfiction
Meta
Fanart
Gallery
ASoIaF/Game of Thrones fanart by Maggie Chiang (2019) – Daenerys Targaryen with a flowering eucalyptus bough.
ASoIaF/Game of Thrones fanart by Julie Ombre (2017) – Lyanna Stark with blue roses. This flower, the character's favourite, is used to symbolize her in the novels. Blue roses do not occur in nature.
Baldur's Gate fanart by VinogradovaArtroom (2021) – Astarion with red poppies, a symbol of "pleasure, sacrifice, remembrance",[1] and also of death and sleep. This may reference Astarion's condition and character history.
Critical Role fanart by Mo Morris (2018) – Caleb with red poppies.
Critical Role fanart by Mo Morris (2018) – Jester with yellow roses.
Dragon Age fanart by KuroCyou (2019) – The Inquisitor and Dorian surrounded by peonies. These traditionally represent "bashfulness."[1] Dorian's lily may mean "affection for loved ones."[1] The title of the piece is Garden for a Longing Heart.
Dragon Age fanart by YoungGirlBlues (2015) – Leliana clutching pink lilies, surrounded by pink rose bushes. Lilies are traditionally a symbol of both purity and grief.[2] This may reference Leliana's idealism and her role as a spymaster.
Dragon Age fanart by Mo Morris (2018) – Anders surrounded by blue hyacinths, described by the artist as representing "sorrow for wrongs committed."[3] This likely references Anders' actions at the climax of Dragon Age II.
Dragon Age fanart by Mo Morris (2018) – A default male Hawke surrounded by red amaryllises. The artist states these represent "pride and determination."[3]
Dragon Age fanart by Mo Morris (2018) – Fenris surrounded by king proteas, representing "transformation and courage."[3]
Harry Potter fanart by whateverist (2019) – Snape holding lilies with the caption "always." This is a direct reference to his enduring love for Lily Evans. Symbolically, it also invokes his grief over her death.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "List of plants with symbolism" on Wikipedia
- ^ a b Emma Dibden, "The Poignant Symbolism of the Lily Flower", Town & Country Magazine, 18 May 2022
- ^ a b c "Floral - Dragon Age" by Mo Morris on Behance