History and Etymology
Being one of the most popular flower in the world, carnation is the
favorite to be used as boutonnieres, bouquets, in corsages and in a wide range
of floral arrangements. The flower is thought to be originally from the
Mediterranean area of the world. The name of the flower is believed by some to
be originated from the word “corone” which mean floral garland.
It is sometimes also referred to as “dianthus” (dios= god Zeus and
anthos= flower), a scientific name given by the Greek botanist Theopharastus.
Carnations are thus “The Flowers of God”. The ancient Greeks and Romans
cultivated these flowers specifically for decorative purposes like for use in
garlands, wreaths and other decor projects. In ancient Rome this flower were
known as “Jove’s Flower” as a tribute to one of their beloved gods. According
to Christian legend, these flowers appeared on earth from Mary’s tear at
Jesus’s carrying of the cross.
Beliefs, Symbolism and Uses
This Spain’s national flower is traditionally worn by
students sitting a first exam at England’s Oxford University (white carnation
to the first exam, red to the last and pink to every exam in between). It is
also the symbol of the Portuguese Carnation Revolution and the provincial
flower of the autonomuos community of the Balearic Islands. It is the national
symbol of Slovenia, scarlet carnation is the state flower of Ohio, this choice
was made to honour the governor of Ohio, William Mckinley and the US President
who was assassinated in 1901.
Pink and red carnations are used in Korea for showing
love and gratitude toward their parents on Parents Day (Koreans celebrate
Mother’s day and Father’s day in the same day, on May 8). White carnations are
often worn by students or children honoring mothers who are far away or dead.
Green carnations are for St. Patrick’s Day. Purple carnations are the
traditional funeral flower in France, given in condolence for the death of a
loved one.
Other Interesting Information
However, in some cultures, especially France and
Francophone culture – the carnation symbolises bad luck and misfortune. To tell
the fortune of a young girl in Korea, they put three carnations in the girl’s
hair, if the bottom bloom dies first she will have a hard time her whole life.
If the middle flower dies first the girl will have trouble in her youth but
then life will improve. If the top then her life will be hard only at the end
of her life.
Since carnation has the meaning of admiration,
gratitude and love, people especially students often express their gratitude
and admiration to their teachers with carnations on Teacher's Day. The flowers
are also used in beds, borders and pots. Some species of carnation are highly
fragrant. Carnations are exotic to Australia, but have been commercially grown
as a flower crop since 1954.
Carnation is a perennial plant that comes in many
colors including yellow, purple, mauve, maroon, red, peach, pink and white,
each depicting different emotion. It can be used alone or in combination with
many colors (depending on personal taste) to form beautiful and attractive
bouquets and floral arrangements for special occasion especially Mother’s day
and weddings.
Carnations require well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil with full sunlight. Annual carnations, border carnations and perpetual-flowering carnations are the three most common kind of carnations.
Carnation Color Meanings
Carnations are known as flowers that express feeling,
each color of carnation has a different meaning and it is always a good idea to
check the meaning of the paticular color of the flower before you give them to
someone. Red carnation is symbolic of deep love or admiration, depending on the
depth of the red. Pink symbolizes mother’s love, purple color indicates
capriciousness, white color means pure love, striped carnation means regret or
refusal and yellow represents dejection.
Source: http://susanwong.hubpages.com/
