Iris
Blooms: late spring
Language of Flowers
Eloquence
Purple: wisdom and compliments
Blue: faith and hope
Yellow: passion
white: purity
Emblem
State flower of Tennessee.
Provincial flower of Québec, Canada (iris versicolore)
Symbol of Brussels, Belgium (stylized Yellow Iris)
Mythology/ Folklore
Iris is the sacred flower to the goddess of the rainbow, Iris, who would take messages of love from the “eye of heaven” to earth, using the rainbow as bridge.
Iris means “eye of heaven” and is the name given to the goddess, this flower, and the center of your own eye, meaning each of us carries a bit of heaven with us.”
Greek men would often plant iris on the graves of their beloved women as a tribute to the goddess Iris, whose duty it was to take the souls of women to the Elysian fields.
An ancient belief is that the iris serves as a warning to be heeded, as it was named for the messenger of Olympus. It also conveys images of lost love and silent grief, for young girls were led into the afterlife by Iris.
The three large petals of iris represent faith, wisdom and valor.
Language of Flowers
Eloquence
Purple: wisdom and compliments
Blue: faith and hope
Yellow: passion
white: purity
Emblem
State flower of Tennessee.
Provincial flower of Québec, Canada (iris versicolore)
Symbol of Brussels, Belgium (stylized Yellow Iris)
Mythology/ Folklore
Iris is the sacred flower to the goddess of the rainbow, Iris, who would take messages of love from the “eye of heaven” to earth, using the rainbow as bridge.
Iris means “eye of heaven” and is the name given to the goddess, this flower, and the center of your own eye, meaning each of us carries a bit of heaven with us.”
Greek men would often plant iris on the graves of their beloved women as a tribute to the goddess Iris, whose duty it was to take the souls of women to the Elysian fields.
An ancient belief is that the iris serves as a warning to be heeded, as it was named for the messenger of Olympus. It also conveys images of lost love and silent grief, for young girls were led into the afterlife by Iris.
The three large petals of iris represent faith, wisdom and valor.
History/ Modern Use
Ancient Greeks used iris in the manufacturing of perfume. Still today iris is used in the manufacturing of cosmetics.
Charles IV (1294-1328) was first ruler to include the iris on the French banner-- and iris became the basis for the French fleur-de-lis.
In Germany the iris was suspended in a barrel of beer to keep it from getting stale.
French used it to enhance the bouquet of wines.
Throughout the ages iris has been used extensively as medicine and in cosmetics. The Romans, Egyptians and Moors all grew it for its medicinal value and used it to treat such varied ailments as ague, epilepsy, chill and fever, headaches, loose teeth, and the bite of an adder.
Iris roots, in the Middle Ages, were supposed to be good for colds and coughs and 'torments of the belly” and also good for the bite of a venomous beast and for sunburn.
Literature/ Arts
The artist Vincent van Gogh painted several famous pictures of irises.
