Flowers do more than ‘cheer us up’
For years, people have given flowers on sad occasions such as funerals or when someone is sick. Indeed, sympathy is one of the world’s most common flower meanings. But flowers are also symbolic of solidarity, where people come together to share their experiences and stand together at times of mass tragedy or uncertainty. In this sense, flowers do more than just ‘cheer us up’, they allow us to share a deep emotional connection with others which transcends words.
Take the London terror attacks, or the catastrophic fire at Grenfell Towers. This city came together to stand as one community, with flowers as a representation of this.
There’s something about flowers that bring us all closer together. Flowers are the one item that symbolises empathy and solidarity through beauty, nature and purity. They are wholesome, nature’s symbol of perfection. No matter what we go through, we know that we can show love for others through the giving of flowers.
They say how we feel without having to say a word. People come together using flowers as a symbol of unity and strength. Even after a deeply saddening event, the flowers that remain speak volumes about the profoundness of human feeling and emotion. The understanding of the fragility of human life, and the appreciation for our very existence, can be reflected in a simple flower bouquet. The sheer quantity of flowers left behind after an event say something about the kinds of people that lay them down. People from all walks of life are connected by a shared experience, which makes our lives carry more meaning. When we live for others instead of ourselves, it reminds us that we are part of a much bigger picture.
The mere life cycle of a flower, from when it’s planted to the day it begins to wilt, tells us that life itself is fragile – beautiful and pure for a time, but even that does not last forever. Flowers remind us that life is short, and that we must cherish the moments we spend together on this bountiful planet because we cannot predict the future. Flowers help to keep in mind that beauty touches us all, regardless of race, religion or class.
So the next time you go to buy flowers, remember how important they are for showing solidarity and understanding. They truly are nature’s way of showing not just that you care, but that you are connecting with another soul through the beauty of flowers.
Email: littleflowershop@outlook.com